Research And Development Engineer Jobs in California

Research And Development Engineer jobs in California are among the most active in the nation, concentrated in aerospace and defense, semiconductor and electronics, biotechnology, and clean energy sectors at every level from entry-level associate engineer through principal and staff engineer. The largest hiring activity is centered in the San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego, and Los Angeles, where companies like Lockheed Martin, Broadcom, and Genentech maintain major engineering campuses and consistently recruit R&D talent. The most in-demand specialties include materials engineering, systems integration, and hardware and firmware development. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles5+
Top cityPomona, CA
Cities hiring4
Work type80% On-site
Top industryEducation

Showing 5 of 5+ Research And Development Engineer jobs

Motorola Solutions
Senior Research and Development (R&D) Systems Engineer
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Motorola Solutions
Added 1w ago
Senior Research and Development (R&D) Systems Engineer
Motorola Solutions
Los Angeles, California
Specialized Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Manufacturing Engineering
$140k - $200k/yr
Hybrid
Master's
10,000+

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Robinhood
Senior Engineering Manager, AI Research and Development
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Robinhood
Added 1mo ago
Senior Engineering Manager, AI Research and Development
Robinhood
Menlo Park, California
Software Engineering
Technical Product & Program Management
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
ML (Machine Learning)
Technical Program Management
$350k/yr
On-Site
None

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California State University
Associate Dean, Engineering Research and Industry Engagement
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California State University
Added 1mo ago
Associate Dean, Engineering Research and Industry Engagement
California State University
Pomona, California
Human Resources
Project & Program Management
Partnerships & Business Development
Project Management
Business Development
$185k/yr
On-Site
Doctorate
5,001-10,000

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California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Associate Dean, Engineering Research and Industry Engagement
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California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Added 1mo ago
Associate Dean, Engineering Research and Industry Engagement
California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, California
Human Resources
Project & Program Management
Partnerships & Business Development
Consulting & Professional Services
Project Management
Business Development
$174k - $185k/yr
On-Site
Doctorate
1,001-5,000

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Thermo Fisher Scientific
Scientist III, R&D - Chromatography Consumables Development and Processes
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Thermo Fisher Scientific
Added 4d ago
Scientist III, R&D - Chromatography Consumables Development and Processes
Thermo Fisher Scientific
Sunnyvale, California
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
Specialized Engineering
Environmental & Physical Sciences
Chemical Engineering
Environmental Science
$100k - $133k/yr
On-Site
Doctorate
10,000+

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See All 5 Research And Development Engineer Jobs in California

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Research And Development Engineer Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Pomona
2 jobs
Los Angeles
1 jobs
Menlo Park
1 jobs
Sunnyvale
1 jobs

Research And Development Engineer Job Market in California

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

Who's Hiring

  • California State Polytechnic University Pomona
    California State Polytechnic University Pomona1
  • California State University
    California State University1
  • Motorola Solutions
    Motorola Solutions1
  • Robinhood
    Robinhood1
  • Thermo Fisher Scientific
    Thermo Fisher Scientific1

Top Industries Hiring

  • Education2
  • Consulting & Professional Services1
  • Investment & Asset Management1
  • Manufacturing1
  • Science & Research1

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in research and development engineer jobs across California.

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, materials science, or a closely related technical field
  • Hands-on experience with product development cycles from concept through prototype validation
  • Proficiency with CAD software, simulation tools, or relevant lab instrumentation for the specialty
  • Demonstrated ability to design experiments, analyze data, and document technical findings
  • Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams including manufacturing, regulatory, and supply chain
  • Familiarity with California-relevant compliance standards such as ISO, MIL-SPEC, or FDA design controls

Research And Development Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a research and development engineer in California?

Most research and development engineer roles in California require at minimum a bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, chemical, materials, or biomedical engineering from an accredited program. California does not require a state license specifically for R&D work, though engineers signing off on public-safety designs may need a Professional Engineer license from the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists. Employers in aerospace, biotech, and semiconductors typically prioritize hands-on lab experience, internships, and a portfolio of design or testing projects alongside the degree.

Which companies hire research and development engineers in California?

Employers hiring research and development engineers in California right now include California State Polytechnic University Pomona, California State University, and Motorola Solutions, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's concentration of aerospace primes, semiconductor foundries, and life-sciences firms means demand for R&D engineering talent is spread across a wide range of industries and company sizes throughout the state.

Which California cities have the most research and development engineer jobs?

Pomona, Los Angeles, and Menlo Park have the most research and development engineer openings in California. The Bay Area leads because it is home to major semiconductor firms, biotech campuses, and a dense startup ecosystem in Silicon Valley, while San Diego draws heavily from defense contractors and life-sciences companies concentrated in the Torrey Pines and Sorrento Valley corridors, and Los Angeles benefits from a large aerospace and advanced manufacturing base anchored by companies with facilities across the region.

Are there remote research and development engineer jobs in California?

Yes, but they are less common than in purely desk-based fields because R&D engineering typically requires access to labs, prototyping equipment, and physical test environments. About 20% of research and development engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, with remote arrangements most often available for computational modeling, simulation work, technical writing, and data analysis roles that do not require hands-on laboratory access.

How can I get hired as a research and development engineer in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is securing a co-op, internship, or new-graduate rotational program before or immediately after finishing a degree, as California employers in aerospace and defense, such as those in the greater Los Angeles and Bay Area corridors, regularly run structured new-grad engineering programs that pair junior engineers with senior mentors on live projects. Candidates who build a concrete portfolio through capstone projects, undergraduate research, or university lab work at UC San Diego, UC Berkeley, or Cal Poly have a measurable edge. Adjacent roles like test technician, quality engineer, or manufacturing process engineer at California contract manufacturers are also well-established lateral entry points into R&D teams.

Where can I find and apply to research and development engineer jobs in California?

You can find and apply to research and development engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across aerospace, biotech, semiconductor, and clean energy sectors. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to the employers posting them.

See All 5 Research And Development Engineer Jobs in California

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