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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Join Kyocera International, Inc.
We’re hiring a Research and Development Project Engineer at our San Diego location!
Join a stable, long-term opportunity where your work matters. We’re hiring a Research and Development Project Engineer to support production and ensure high-quality output in a fast-paced manufacturing setting.
Pay Range - $79,000.00 to $102,000.00 annually (Actual base pay based on factors such as relevant experience, education, market, qualifications, and skills.)
With nearly 80,000 employees globally, Kyocera is a leading manufacturer of high-tech ceramics in various industries, including aerospace, automotive, Medical applications, and semiconductor processing. Our innovative materials are found in everything from smartphones to space shuttles! Check out our profile video! (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EAMR-M4AqK8&t=193s&fbclid=IwAR2KNG6FaJ4sa7eH60-9xHB0fajYS8-chyt062hRFmj1-nkpyFkDHPVKG4M!)
Look at these PERKS!
- Competitive pay, benefits, and hours
- 120 hours of vacation accrued per year to start (that's 3 weeks/year for regular 8-hour shifts!)
- 10 Paid Holidays per year
- 401(k) with company match
- Pension
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
- Employee Assistance Program
- Flexible schedules
- Tuition reimbursement
We have a long-tenured staff (many with over 30 years of service!), a vital company mission, and an excellent benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, life insurance, paid time off to volunteer, paid leave options, tuition reimbursement, an employer-paid Pension and a 401(k) with both Roth and a healthy company match. Our larger locations also feature onsite gyms, walking tracks, exercise rooms, and employee gardens!
We strive to have a diverse workforce from all backgrounds, including minorities, women, and veterans, who bring their experience to support the innovation and quality that Kyocera is known for.
Kyocera International, Inc. also has a robust corporate culture and philosophy based on the experiences and writings of our founder, Dr. Kazuo Inamori, which you can learn more about here: https://global.kyocera.com/inamori/philosophy/ (https://global.kyocera.com/inamori/philosophy/). Our company motto is “Do the right thing as a human being,” and we try to use that motto constantly in our decision-making.
Exempt: Yes
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF POSITION
Responsible for planning and executing moderately complex R&D engineering projects involving product or process development, testing, analysis, and improvement. Applies engineering principles to solve technical problems, supports project objectives and timelines, and collaborates with cross-functional teams to transition concepts into practical solutions.
REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or equivalent required.
2+ years of related experience and/or education required.
Must have thorough understanding of company processes and appropriate technical knowledge, or experience in the same industry.
Knowledge of project management principles and budget management required. Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills, and ability to work productively with customers.
Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office especially Word, Excel, and PowerPoint required.
Frequently interacts with supervisors, customers, and/or functional peer group managers, normally involving matters between functional areas, other company divisions or units, or customers and the company.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Responsible for managing multiple projects to support one or more product line departments.
2. Performs as an individual contributor to define, monitor and report project status.
3. Collects project related information from various internal resources.
4. Responsible for developing project proposals including the documentation of process flow requirements and capital expenditure justification (ROI) calculations on specific projects.
5. Performs cost estimating and internal design conceptualizations to present alternatives to management personnel.
6. Under supervision will recommend, and test new products, materials and/or designs.
7. Under supervision coordinates the development of new suppliers and assist them in meeting quality standards that will fulfill product line requirements.
8. Under supervision establishes project objectives, budget requirements, timelines, and labor requirements based on division strategic plans.
9. Documents, reports and measures progress on budgets and timelines.
10. Provides a project summary report to management to implement findings.
Perform any other related duties as required or assigned
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty mentioned satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES
The following physical activities described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and expectations.
While performing the functions of this job, the employee is continuously required to talk or hear; regularly required to stand, walk, sit; occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and depth perception.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
The following work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the functions of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to work near moving mechanical parts, toxic or caustic chemicals.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The above statements are intended to describe the work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required. The duties and responsibilities of this position are subject to change and other duties may be assigned or removed at any time. This position may require exposure to information subject to US Export Control regulations, i.e.: the International Traffic and Arms Regulations (ITAR) or Export Administration Regulations (EAR). All applicants must be US persons within the meaning of US regulations.
Kyocera International, Inc. values diversity in its workforce, and is proud to be an AAP/EEO employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or on the basis of disability.
If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process, or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact Kyocera International, Inc. Human Resources team directly.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
See All 25 Research And Development Engineer Jobs in California
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Find JobsResearch And Development Engineer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Research And Development Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
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 Motorola Solutions, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and Zymo Research, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 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?
Los Angeles, Irvine, and San Francisco 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 75% of research and development engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 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 25 Research And Development Engineer Jobs in California
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