Physics Jobs in California
Physics jobs in California are among the most active in the country, with strong demand concentrated in national laboratories, aerospace and defense, semiconductor manufacturing, and academic research at every level from lab technician and research associate through principal scientist and department head. The largest hiring hubs are Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area, and San Diego, where employers such as Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Northrop Grumman, and the University of California system maintain deep, ongoing physics workforces. The most in-demand specialties are experimental condensed matter, optics and photonics, and computational physics. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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INTRODUCTION
This role may also be located in our Playa Vista, CA campus. Applicants in the County of Los Angeles: Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act. Note: By applying to this position you will have an opportunity to share your preferred working location from the following: San Diego, CA, USA; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Jose, CA, USA.
ABOUT THE JOB
Be part of a team that pushes boundaries, developing custom silicon solutions that power the future of Google's direct-to-consumer products. You'll contribute to the innovation behind products loved by millions worldwide. Your expertise will shape the next generation of hardware experiences, delivering unparalleled performance, efficiency, and integration. In this role, you will drive the integration, calibration, and verification of XR device hardware from early architecture through production. You will build simulations across acoustics, optics, and dynamics to virtualize and evaluate device performance before physical hardware exists. Additionally, you will define physical testing systems and build data analysis pipelines to characterize device performance and validate simulations. Finally, you will use both simulation and test platforms to generate high-fidelity datasets to develop AI/ML models. Your work will directly establish the calibration and verification methods to deliver performance for headsets and glasses across their lifetime. For decades, the computing revolution has reshaped our world driven by breakthroughs in compute, connectivity, mobile, and now, AI. Google's XR team is at the forefront of the next major leap – the convergence of AI and XR. This is more than just new devices – it's about reimagining how we interact with the world around us. We're building a future where lightweight XR devices like smart glasses and headsets pair with helpful AI to augment human intelligence, offering personalized, conversational, and contextually aware experiences.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a specialized field (e.g., Optics, Sensors, Audio/DSP, etc.), or equivalent practical experience.
- 4 years of experience working in a physics-based simulation technical environment.
- Experience with physical simulation, testing, and verification, including applying multi-physics testing or simulation for acoustics, optics, or dynamics to virtualize and validate hardware behaviors.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Master's degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, or a related field (e.g., Optics, Sensors, Audio/DSP).
Responsibilities
Learn more about benefits at Google.
- Develop and deliver end-to-end multi-physics simulation tools that bridge design, calibration, and performance verification.
- Investigate, diagnose, and resolve issues across device types in both the hardware and software layers. Develop new test systems and methods for performance assessment and calibration algorithm development.
- Simulate and measure the physical response of key device components including IMUs, cameras, magnetometers, speakers, microphones, and displays and ensure their integrated functionality in XR user experiences.
- Drive efforts for the documentation of the hardware design, its implementation, or test/validation results throughout the product life cycle.
- Drive the development of virtual and physical calibration and verification platforms to enable next-generation XR devices.
Individual pay is determined by factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. US: $159000 - $231000 (USD) + 15% bonus target + equity + benefits
Google is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. See also Google's EEO Policy and EEO is the Law. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know by completing our Accommodations for Applicants form.
INTRODUCTION
This role may also be located in our Playa Vista, CA campus. Applicants in the County of Los Angeles: Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act. Note: By applying to this position you will have an opportunity to share your preferred working location from the following: San Diego, CA, USA; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Jose, CA, USA.
ABOUT THE JOB
Be part of a team that pushes boundaries, developing custom silicon solutions that power the future of Google's direct-to-consumer products. You'll contribute to the innovation behind products loved by millions worldwide. Your expertise will shape the next generation of hardware experiences, delivering unparalleled performance, efficiency, and integration. In this role, you will drive the integration, calibration, and verification of XR device hardware from early architecture through production. You will build simulations across acoustics, optics, and dynamics to virtualize and evaluate device performance before physical hardware exists. Additionally, you will define physical testing systems and build data analysis pipelines to characterize device performance and validate simulations. Finally, you will use both simulation and test platforms to generate high-fidelity datasets to develop AI/ML models. Your work will directly establish the calibration and verification methods to deliver performance for headsets and glasses across their lifetime. For decades, the computing revolution has reshaped our world driven by breakthroughs in compute, connectivity, mobile, and now, AI. Google's XR team is at the forefront of the next major leap – the convergence of AI and XR. This is more than just new devices – it's about reimagining how we interact with the world around us. We're building a future where lightweight XR devices like smart glasses and headsets pair with helpful AI to augment human intelligence, offering personalized, conversational, and contextually aware experiences.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a specialized field (e.g., Optics, Sensors, Audio/DSP, etc.), or equivalent practical experience.
- 4 years of experience working in a physics-based simulation technical environment.
- Experience with physical simulation, testing, and verification, including applying multi-physics testing or simulation for acoustics, optics, or dynamics to virtualize and validate hardware behaviors.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Master's degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, or a related field (e.g., Optics, Sensors, Audio/DSP).
Responsibilities
Learn more about benefits at Google.
- Develop and deliver end-to-end multi-physics simulation tools that bridge design, calibration, and performance verification.
- Investigate, diagnose, and resolve issues across device types in both the hardware and software layers. Develop new test systems and methods for performance assessment and calibration algorithm development.
- Simulate and measure the physical response of key device components including IMUs, cameras, magnetometers, speakers, microphones, and displays and ensure their integrated functionality in XR user experiences.
- Drive efforts for the documentation of the hardware design, its implementation, or test/validation results throughout the product life cycle.
- Drive the development of virtual and physical calibration and verification platforms to enable next-generation XR devices.
Individual pay is determined by factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. US: $159000 - $231000 (USD) + 15% bonus target + equity + benefits
Google is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. See also Google's EEO Policy and EEO is the Law. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know by completing our Accommodations for Applicants form.
See All 1,739+ Physics Jobs in California
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Find Physics JobsPhysics Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Physics Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Sutter Health175
- CommonSpirit Health157
- University of California, San Francisco115
- The Permanente Medical Group50
- Sound Physicians47
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services1,137
- Education235
- Consulting & Professional Services135
- Electronics & Hardware120
- Non-Profit & Social Services106
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in physics jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree or higher in physics, applied physics, or a closely related field
- Experience with laboratory instrumentation, data acquisition systems, or simulation software
- Proficiency in scientific computing languages such as Python, MATLAB, or C++
- Ability to obtain or maintain a security clearance for defense or national laboratory roles
- Strong record of peer-reviewed research, publication, or technical report writing
- Familiarity with California-based regulatory environments such as NRC safety protocols for licensed facilities
Physics Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a physics in California?
Most physics positions in California require at least a bachelor's degree in physics or a closely related discipline, with research or industry roles at national labs and aerospace firms typically requiring a master's or doctorate. California does not issue a general state license for physicists, but roles at nuclear facilities are subject to Nuclear Regulatory Commission requirements, and positions at University of California campuses go through a formal academic hiring process. Building a research portfolio and pursuing graduate training at one of California's strong physics programs is the most direct path into competitive roles.
Which companies hire physicss in California?
Employers hiring physicss in California right now include Sutter Health, CommonSpirit Health, and University of California, San Francisco, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's density of national laboratories, aerospace primes, and research universities makes it one of the few states where physicists can move between government, industry, and academia without leaving the region.
Which California cities have the most physics jobs?
The California cities with the most physics openings are San Francisco, San Jose, and San Diego. Los Angeles and its surrounding corridor anchor aerospace and defense hiring, the San Francisco Bay Area draws heavily from semiconductor, tech, and national laboratory demand centered on Livermore and Berkeley, and San Diego's concentration of biotech, defense contractors, and UC San Diego sustains a strong research physics market.
Are there remote physics jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. Physics work is largely hands-on, requiring access to laboratory equipment, particle accelerators, clean rooms, or sensitive instruments that cannot be replicated off-site. About 5% of physics openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, and those roles tend to be in computational physics, theoretical modeling, data analysis, or science policy rather than experimental or applied laboratory work.
How can I get hired as a physics in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a paid internship or student researcher position at one of California's national laboratories, where Lawrence Livermore, Lawrence Berkeley, and SLAC all run formal undergraduate and post-baccalaureate research programs open to candidates without prior industry experience. UC and CSU campus labs regularly hire physics undergraduates as paid research assistants, and adjacent roles such as electronics technician or lab coordinator at aerospace firms like Northrop Grumman or Raytheon are common stepping stones. Completing a strong senior thesis, earning any relevant technical certification, and building a GitHub portfolio of computational work each meaningfully strengthen an entry-level application.
Where can I find and apply to physics jobs in California?
You can find and apply to physics jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across industries and experience levels. Search the listings, find roles that match your background and location, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 1,739+ Physics Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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