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 roles25
Top employerMotorola Solutions
Top cityLos Angeles, CA
Cities hiring15
Work type75% Hybrid
Top industryManufacturing

Showing 5 of 25+ Research And Development Engineer jobs

Research and Development Project Engineer
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New 7h ago
Research and Development Project Engineer
Kyocera International, Inc.
San Diego, California
Customer Success
Program Management
Project & Program Management
Project Management
$79k - $102k/yr
Bachelor's degree in engineering

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Research and Development Chef
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Added 3d ago
Research and Development Chef
Gusto Bread
Long Beach, California
Business Development
Growth Marketing
Marketing
$45 - $65/hr

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Post-Doctoral Research Scientist – Molecular Assay Development and Epigenetics
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Post-Doctoral Research Scientist – Molecular Assay Development and Epigenetics
Zymo Research
Irvine, California
Clinical Trials
Laboratory Research
Research & Academia
$85k - $100k/yr
51-200

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Post-Doctoral Research Scientist – NGS Methods Development and Cancer Genomics
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Post-Doctoral Research Scientist – NGS Methods Development and Cancer Genomics
Zymo Research
Irvine, California
Biotech & Life Sciences
Consulting & Professional Services
Customer Support
Technical Product & Program Management
$85k - $100k/yr
Doctoral degree in biochemistry
51-200

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Research and Development Scientist and Engineer (24-Month Fixed-Term)
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Added 1w ago
Research and Development Scientist and Engineer (24-Month Fixed-Term)
Stanford University
Stanford, California
Data Analytics
Data Engineering
Data Science
Hybrid
Doctoral degree in statistics
10,000+

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See All 25 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.

Los Angeles
5 jobs
Irvine
4 jobs
San Francisco
3 jobs
San Jose
2 jobs
Anaheim
1 job
Fremont
1 job
Pacheco
1 job
Stanford
1 job
Irwindale
1 job

Research And Development Engineer Job Market in California

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

Who's Hiring

Motorola Solutions4 open roles
Thermo Fisher Scientific3 open roles
Zymo Research2 open roles

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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