R D Engineering Jobs in California

R D Engineering jobs in California are among the most active in the nation, concentrated in aerospace and defense, semiconductor manufacturing, biotechnology, and clean energy sectors, with openings ranging from entry-level associate engineers through principal and staff-level research roles. The largest hiring metros are the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego, where employers like Qualcomm, Northrop Grumman, and Genentech have deep, longstanding R&D footprints. The most in-demand specialties include hardware and systems engineering, process development, and materials science. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

Find R D Engineering Jobs

Overview

Open roles136+
Top employerBroadcom
Top citySunnyvale, CA
Cities hiring28
Work type93% On-site
Top industryTechnology

Showing 5 of 136+ R D Engineering jobs

Keysight Technologies
R&D Engineering Support
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Keysight Technologies
Added 1w ago
R&D Engineering Support
Keysight Technologies
Santa Rosa, California
Specialized Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Manufacturing Engineering
$84k - $141k/yr
On-Site
Associate's
10,000+

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Synopsys
Executive Director of R&D Engineering
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Synopsys
Added 1w ago
Executive Director of R&D Engineering
Synopsys
Sunnyvale, California
Specialized Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
$268k - $402k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Synopsys
R&D Engineering, Architect
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Synopsys
Added 2w ago
R&D Engineering, Architect
Synopsys
Sunnyvale, California
Specialized Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
$208k - $312k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Nokia
AI R&D Engineering Co-op
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Nokia
Added 2w ago
AI R&D Engineering Co-op
Nokia
Sunnyvale, California
Software Engineering
Data Science & Analytics
Data Engineering
Data Science
Hybrid
Master's

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Synopsys
R&D Engineering, Sr Architect
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Synopsys
Added 2w ago
R&D Engineering, Sr Architect
Synopsys
Sunnyvale, California
Specialized Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Software Engineering
Technical Product & Program Management
Engineering (Non-Software)
Technical Program Management
$226k - $338k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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See All 136+ R D Engineering Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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R D Engineering Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Sunnyvale
23 jobs
San Jose
22 jobs
Irvine
17 jobs
Santa Clara
12 jobs
Los Angeles
10 jobs
Alameda
6 jobs
Campbell
6 jobs
Santa Rosa
5 jobs
Fremont
4 jobs

R D Engineering Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • Broadcom
    Broadcom22
  • Synopsys
    Synopsys14
  • Keysight Technologies
    Keysight Technologies10
  • Riot Games
    Riot Games8
  • Imperative Care
    Imperative Care6

Top Industries Hiring

  • Technology & Software64
  • Electronics & Hardware36
  • Medical Devices22
  • Manufacturing6
  • Consulting & Professional Services5

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in R D engineering jobs across California.

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, materials science, or a closely related technical discipline
  • Hands-on experience with laboratory instrumentation, prototyping, or experimental design methodologies
  • Familiarity with design verification processes, CAD tools, or simulation software relevant to the discipline
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills for technical documentation and cross-functional collaboration
  • Experience contributing to product development cycles from concept through validation or release
  • Ability to obtain or maintain security clearance preferred for defense and government-contracted R D roles

R D Engineering Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a r d engineering in California?

Most r d engineering roles in California require at minimum a bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline, physical science, or materials science from an accredited institution. While California does not mandate a state license for most private-sector R&D positions, engineers who sign off on public-domain designs may need a Professional Engineer license issued by the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists. Industry certifications and graduate degrees accelerate hiring at research-focused employers.

Which companies hire r d engineerings in California?

Employers hiring r d engineerings in California right now include Broadcom, Synopsys, and Keysight Technologies, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's concentration of aerospace primes, semiconductor firms, and life sciences companies means consistent R&D hiring across multiple engineering disciplines throughout the year.

Which California cities have the most r d engineering jobs?

Sunnyvale, San Jose, and Irvine account for the highest concentration of r d engineering openings in California. The Bay Area leads due to its dense cluster of semiconductor, software hardware, and biotech firms, while San Diego's robust defense contracting and life sciences base drives demand there, and Los Angeles draws volume from aerospace, media technology, and advanced manufacturing employers headquartered across the region.

Are there remote r d engineering jobs in California?

Yes, but they're rare. R&D engineering work is largely hands-on, requiring lab access, prototype equipment, or secure facilities that cannot be replicated remotely. About 7% of r d engineering openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, with hybrid arrangements more common for roles focused on computational modeling, data analysis, or systems architecture than for bench or hardware-intensive positions.

How can I get hired as a r d engineering in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is applying to internship-to-hire or new-graduate rotational programs at large California employers such as defense contractors, semiconductor companies, and Bay Area biotech firms, which regularly recruit from California's engineering schools. Targeting roles titled associate engineer, junior R&D engineer, or process development technician broadens your options. Building a project portfolio, completing a senior capstone with measurable outcomes, and pursuing an EIT designation through the California Board for Professional Engineers strengthens your candidacy against other early-career applicants.

Where can I find and apply to r d engineering jobs in California?

You can find and apply to r d engineering jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across industries including aerospace, semiconductors, biotechnology, and clean energy. Search the listings to find roles that match your discipline and experience level, then apply directly to the ones that fit.

See All 136+ R D Engineering Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find R D Engineering Jobs