Quantitative Research Analyst Jobs in California
Quantitative Research Analyst jobs in California rank among the most active in the country, concentrated in finance, technology, and biotech across San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego, with openings from entry-level analyst positions through senior quantitative researcher roles. Major employers with lasting California footprints include BlackRock, Wells Fargo, and NVIDIA, all of which maintain quantitative research teams in the state. The most in-demand specialties are algorithmic trading, risk modeling, and machine learning-driven portfolio analysis. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 21+ Quantitative Research Analyst jobs
Locations: San Francisco, California
Job description
About this role
BlackRock is one of the world’s preeminent asset management firms and a premier provider of global investment management, risk management and advisory services to institutional, intermediary, and individual investors around the world. BlackRock offers a range of solutions — from meticulous fundamental and quantitative active management approaches aimed at maximizing outperformance to highly efficient indexing strategies designed to gain broad exposure to the world’s capital markets. Our clients can access our investment solutions through a variety of product structures, including individual and institutional separate accounts, mutual funds and other pooled investment vehicles, and the industry-leading iShares® ETFs.
Your team
Systematic Active Equity (SAE) is the quantitative equity group within BlackRock’s Systematic investment group. We invest client assets using a systematic investment approach and have pursued client investment goals across global equity markets for more than 30 years. Research and innovation are central to our approach, bringing together finance and economics with data and computer science.
The team manages more than $200 billion in assets and brings together quantitative finance researchers and portfolio managers, with access across BlackRock to investors and specialists in statistics, machine learning, and optimization.
Your role and impact
As a Systems Researcher, you will join our investment and quantitative research teams, focusing on computer science, data management, mathematical models, and computer simulations. You will apply algorithmic development and software engineering capabilities to help translate quantitative research and investment ideas into robust technology solutions.
This role offers the opportunity to work across disciplines, collaborating with computer scientists, data scientists, quantitative researchers, and investors on complex problems that support systematic investing.
Your responsibilities
In every role at BlackRock, you'll be expected to apply sound judgement and critical thinking to solve complex problems, adapt as the business evolves, and combine the curiosity to explore new approaches and technologies with the rigor to challenge the results. The scope of this role also includes the following responsibilities:
- Develop and implement algorithms and software that support systematic equity investment and quantitative research.
- Build and maintain data-management and computational solutions used by investment and quantitative research teams.
- Design and evaluate mathematical models and computer simulations to support research and investment applications.
- Collaborate with computer scientists, data scientists, quantitative researchers, and investors to translate research ideas into robust software solutions.
- Contribute to distributed-computing and high-performance computing solutions, with a focus on reliability, scalability, and research effectiveness.
Your experience
- The desire to work in a team environment with computer scientists, data scientists, and quantitative investors of many different backgrounds.
- A passion for algorithmic development and implementation, and a keen attention to detail.
- A fascination for some aspects of computer science: distributed computing, cryptography, and machine learning.
- Working knowledge of serverless architecture, ideally having developed or contributed to projects in that space.
- A Bachelors, Masters, or Ph.D. in computer science with 2+ years of applied experience.
- A proven track record of delivering awesome software.
- Excellent knowledge of Python / Pandas, as well as Java or C/C++.
- Well-rounded proficiency with Linux and UNIX systems.
- Experience in distributed computing and the use of GPUs.
Our benefits
To help you stay energized, engaged and inspired, we offer a wide range of benefits including a strong retirement plan, tuition reimbursement, comprehensive healthcare, support for working parents and Flexible Time Off (FTO) so you can relax, recharge and be there for the people you care about.
Our hybrid work model
BlackRock’s hybrid work model is designed to enable a culture of collaboration and apprenticeship that enriches the experience of our employees, while supporting flexibility for all. Employees are currently required to work at least 4 days in the office per week, with the flexibility to work from home 1 day a week. Some business groups may require more time in the office due to their roles and responsibilities. We remain focused on increasing the impactful moments that arise when we work together in person – aligned with our commitment to performance and innovation. As a new joiner, you can count on this hybrid model to accelerate your learning and onboarding experience here at BlackRock.
Guidance on AI use for candidates
At BlackRock, AI has long been part of how we work – enhancing decision-making, improving operations, and helping us deliver better outcomes for clients. We encourage candidates to use AI thoughtfully to learn, prepare, and work more effectively; but during our interview process, we want to focus on getting to know you through your own experiences, thinking, and judgment. To support you, we’ve provided guidance (opens in new window) on when and how to use AI during our hiring process so you can approach each step with confidence and showcase your best self.
About BlackRock
At BlackRock, we are all connected by one mission: to help more and more people experience financial well-being. Our clients, and the people they serve, are saving for retirement, paying for their children’s educations, buying homes and starting businesses. Their investments also help to strengthen the global economy: support businesses small and large; finance infrastructure projects that connect and power cities; and facilitate innovations that drive progress.
This mission would not be possible without our smartest investment – the one we make in our employees. It’s why we’re dedicated to creating an environment where our colleagues feel welcomed, valued and supported with networks, benefits and development opportunities to help them thrive.
To learn more about BlackRock, please visit Careers.BlackRock.com (opens in new window). We also encourage you to get to know us on LinkedIn (opens in new window), Instagram (opens in new window), YouTube (opens in new window), X (opens in new window), and TikTok (opens in new window).
BlackRock is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity to all applicants and existing employees, and we evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity/expression), sexual orientation, age, ancestry, physical or mental disability, marital status, political affiliation, religion, citizenship status, genetic information, veteran status, or any other basis protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. View the EEOC’s Know Your Rights poster and its supplement (opens in new window) and the pay transparency statement (opens in new window).
BlackRock is committed to full inclusion of all qualified individuals and to providing reasonable accommodations or job modifications for individuals with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation/adjustments are needed throughout the employment process, please email Disability.Assistance@blackrock.com (opens in new window). All requests are treated in line with our privacy policy (opens in new window). (opens in new window)
We recruit, hire, train, promote, pay, and administer all personnel actions without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), sex stereotyping (including assumptions about a person’s appearance or behavior, gender roles, gender expression, or gender identity), gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, ancestry, medical condition, marital status, military or veteran status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law. We interpret these protected statuses broadly to include both the actual status and also any perceptions and assumptions made regarding these statuses.BlackRock will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records in a manner consistent with the requirements of the law, including any applicable fair chance law.R267061
Locations: San Francisco, California
Job description
About this role
BlackRock is one of the world’s preeminent asset management firms and a premier provider of global investment management, risk management and advisory services to institutional, intermediary, and individual investors around the world. BlackRock offers a range of solutions — from meticulous fundamental and quantitative active management approaches aimed at maximizing outperformance to highly efficient indexing strategies designed to gain broad exposure to the world’s capital markets. Our clients can access our investment solutions through a variety of product structures, including individual and institutional separate accounts, mutual funds and other pooled investment vehicles, and the industry-leading iShares® ETFs.
Your team
Systematic Active Equity (SAE) is the quantitative equity group within BlackRock’s Systematic investment group. We invest client assets using a systematic investment approach and have pursued client investment goals across global equity markets for more than 30 years. Research and innovation are central to our approach, bringing together finance and economics with data and computer science.
The team manages more than $200 billion in assets and brings together quantitative finance researchers and portfolio managers, with access across BlackRock to investors and specialists in statistics, machine learning, and optimization.
Your role and impact
As a Systems Researcher, you will join our investment and quantitative research teams, focusing on computer science, data management, mathematical models, and computer simulations. You will apply algorithmic development and software engineering capabilities to help translate quantitative research and investment ideas into robust technology solutions.
This role offers the opportunity to work across disciplines, collaborating with computer scientists, data scientists, quantitative researchers, and investors on complex problems that support systematic investing.
Your responsibilities
In every role at BlackRock, you'll be expected to apply sound judgement and critical thinking to solve complex problems, adapt as the business evolves, and combine the curiosity to explore new approaches and technologies with the rigor to challenge the results. The scope of this role also includes the following responsibilities:
- Develop and implement algorithms and software that support systematic equity investment and quantitative research.
- Build and maintain data-management and computational solutions used by investment and quantitative research teams.
- Design and evaluate mathematical models and computer simulations to support research and investment applications.
- Collaborate with computer scientists, data scientists, quantitative researchers, and investors to translate research ideas into robust software solutions.
- Contribute to distributed-computing and high-performance computing solutions, with a focus on reliability, scalability, and research effectiveness.
Your experience
- The desire to work in a team environment with computer scientists, data scientists, and quantitative investors of many different backgrounds.
- A passion for algorithmic development and implementation, and a keen attention to detail.
- A fascination for some aspects of computer science: distributed computing, cryptography, and machine learning.
- Working knowledge of serverless architecture, ideally having developed or contributed to projects in that space.
- A Bachelors, Masters, or Ph.D. in computer science with 2+ years of applied experience.
- A proven track record of delivering awesome software.
- Excellent knowledge of Python / Pandas, as well as Java or C/C++.
- Well-rounded proficiency with Linux and UNIX systems.
- Experience in distributed computing and the use of GPUs.
Our benefits
To help you stay energized, engaged and inspired, we offer a wide range of benefits including a strong retirement plan, tuition reimbursement, comprehensive healthcare, support for working parents and Flexible Time Off (FTO) so you can relax, recharge and be there for the people you care about.
Our hybrid work model
BlackRock’s hybrid work model is designed to enable a culture of collaboration and apprenticeship that enriches the experience of our employees, while supporting flexibility for all. Employees are currently required to work at least 4 days in the office per week, with the flexibility to work from home 1 day a week. Some business groups may require more time in the office due to their roles and responsibilities. We remain focused on increasing the impactful moments that arise when we work together in person – aligned with our commitment to performance and innovation. As a new joiner, you can count on this hybrid model to accelerate your learning and onboarding experience here at BlackRock.
Guidance on AI use for candidates
At BlackRock, AI has long been part of how we work – enhancing decision-making, improving operations, and helping us deliver better outcomes for clients. We encourage candidates to use AI thoughtfully to learn, prepare, and work more effectively; but during our interview process, we want to focus on getting to know you through your own experiences, thinking, and judgment. To support you, we’ve provided guidance (opens in new window) on when and how to use AI during our hiring process so you can approach each step with confidence and showcase your best self.
About BlackRock
At BlackRock, we are all connected by one mission: to help more and more people experience financial well-being. Our clients, and the people they serve, are saving for retirement, paying for their children’s educations, buying homes and starting businesses. Their investments also help to strengthen the global economy: support businesses small and large; finance infrastructure projects that connect and power cities; and facilitate innovations that drive progress.
This mission would not be possible without our smartest investment – the one we make in our employees. It’s why we’re dedicated to creating an environment where our colleagues feel welcomed, valued and supported with networks, benefits and development opportunities to help them thrive.
To learn more about BlackRock, please visit Careers.BlackRock.com (opens in new window). We also encourage you to get to know us on LinkedIn (opens in new window), Instagram (opens in new window), YouTube (opens in new window), X (opens in new window), and TikTok (opens in new window).
BlackRock is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity to all applicants and existing employees, and we evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity/expression), sexual orientation, age, ancestry, physical or mental disability, marital status, political affiliation, religion, citizenship status, genetic information, veteran status, or any other basis protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. View the EEOC’s Know Your Rights poster and its supplement (opens in new window) and the pay transparency statement (opens in new window).
BlackRock is committed to full inclusion of all qualified individuals and to providing reasonable accommodations or job modifications for individuals with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation/adjustments are needed throughout the employment process, please email Disability.Assistance@blackrock.com (opens in new window). All requests are treated in line with our privacy policy (opens in new window). (opens in new window)
We recruit, hire, train, promote, pay, and administer all personnel actions without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), sex stereotyping (including assumptions about a person’s appearance or behavior, gender roles, gender expression, or gender identity), gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, ancestry, medical condition, marital status, military or veteran status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law. We interpret these protected statuses broadly to include both the actual status and also any perceptions and assumptions made regarding these statuses.BlackRock will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records in a manner consistent with the requirements of the law, including any applicable fair chance law.R267061
See All 21 Quantitative Research Analyst Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsQuantitative Research Analyst Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Quantitative Research Analyst Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Banking & Financial Services
- Investment & Asset Management
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in quantitative research analyst jobs across California.
- Master's or PhD in mathematics, statistics, financial engineering, or a related quantitative field
- Proficiency in Python, R, or MATLAB for statistical modeling and data analysis
- Experience building and validating quantitative models in finance, risk, or research settings
- Strong command of probability theory, stochastic calculus, and time-series analysis
- Ability to work with large datasets using SQL or distributed computing frameworks such as Spark
- Familiarity with California-based regulatory environments including SEC reporting and risk disclosure standards
Quantitative Research Analyst Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a quantitative research analyst in California?
The path into quantitative research analysis in California typically begins with a bachelor's degree in mathematics, statistics, economics, or computer science, though most competitive roles at California's finance and tech firms require a master's or PhD. California does not issue a state-specific license for this role, but many practitioners pursue the CFA designation through the CFA Institute, which California employers widely recognize. Building a portfolio of modeling projects or contributing to open-source research strengthens candidacy significantly.
How much do quantitative research analysts make in California?
Quantitative research analysts in California earn a median of about $80,810 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $49,160 for the lowest 10% to over $163,120 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire quantitative research analysts in California?
Employers hiring quantitative research analysts in California right now include PIMCO, Meta, and Google, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's concentration of hedge funds, asset managers, and technology companies with quantitative divisions makes it one of the deepest hiring markets for this specialty in the United States.
Which California cities have the most quantitative research analyst jobs?
Newport Beach, San Francisco, and Los Angeles account for the most quantitative research analyst openings in California. San Francisco's density of hedge funds, fintech firms, and technology companies with research divisions drives the largest share of postings, while Los Angeles attracts openings from asset managers and entertainment-adjacent analytics groups, and San Diego's biotech and defense research sector generates a consistent stream of quantitative analyst demand.
Are there remote quantitative research analyst jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 60% of quantitative research analyst openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting how fully the work is conducted on computing infrastructure rather than physical locations. Modeling, backtesting, and research roles are the most remote-friendly, while positions involving direct collaboration with trading desks or portfolio managers more often require in-office presence.
How can I get hired as a quantitative research analyst in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a quantitative internship or new-graduate research program at a California-based asset manager, technology firm, or bank. Large California employers including Wells Fargo and BlackRock run structured analyst programs that accept recent graduates with strong academic records in mathematics or statistics. Candidates with no industry experience can also transition from adjacent roles such as data scientist, statistician, or financial analyst, particularly if they hold or are pursuing a CFA designation or have published independent modeling work.
Where can I find and apply to quantitative research analyst jobs in California?
You can find and apply to quantitative research analyst jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across finance, technology, and research sectors. Find roles that match your background and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 21 Quantitative Research Analyst Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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