Research And Development Jobs in California

Research And Development jobs in California are concentrated in biotechnology, semiconductors, aerospace, and software engineering, with demand at every level from associate researcher to principal scientist and senior engineering director. The largest hiring markets are the San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego, and Los Angeles, where employers such as Genentech, Qualcomm, and Northrop Grumman maintain deep research and development workforces. The most in-demand specialties include drug discovery and clinical research, chip design and process engineering, and applied AI research. 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 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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Added 3d ago
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 Jobs in California

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Research And Development 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 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 jobs across California.

  • Bachelor's or advanced degree in a relevant scientific, engineering, or technical field
  • Demonstrated experience with research methodologies, experimental design, and data analysis
  • Proficiency with laboratory instrumentation, CAD tools, or domain-specific software platforms
  • Ability to document findings and contribute to technical reports, patents, or publications
  • Collaborative experience working within cross-functional product or research teams
  • Familiarity with California regulatory environments such as FDA, EPA, or CDFA compliance requirements

Research And Development Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

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

Most research and development roles in California require at least a bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as biology, chemistry, electrical engineering, or computer science, with many senior positions expecting a master's or PhD. California does not issue a single statewide license for the broader R&D field, but roles in pharmaceutical research may involve compliance with California Department of Public Health or FDA regulations, and certain laboratory roles require certification through bodies such as the American Society for Clinical Pathology.

Which companies hire research and developments in California?

Companies currently hiring research and developments in California include Motorola Solutions, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and Zymo Research, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's density of biotech campuses in South San Francisco and San Diego, semiconductor fabs in the Silicon Valley corridor, and aerospace contractors across Los Angeles County makes it one of the most active research and development hiring markets in the country.

Which California cities have the most research and development jobs?

The cities with the most research and development openings in California are Los Angeles, Irvine, and San Francisco. The San Francisco Bay Area dominates because of its concentration of tech and biotech headquarters, San Diego is driven by its world-class pharmaceutical and defense research clusters, and Los Angeles draws volume from aerospace giants, university medical centers, and an expanding life sciences corridor in the Torrance and El Segundo areas.

Are there remote research and development jobs in California?

Yes, but they are less common than in purely desk-based fields, since much research and development work requires physical lab access, prototyping equipment, or on-site collaboration. About 75% of research and development openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and the positions most likely to be fully remote are in data science, computational biology, software-side R&D, and technical program management rather than hands-on laboratory or hardware roles.

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

The most realistic entry path is a formal internship or co-op tied to your degree program, since large California employers such as Genentech, Intel, and Raytheon run structured programs for students and new graduates that frequently convert to full-time offers. Entry-level titles such as research associate, junior process engineer, or R&D technician are designed for candidates without independent project history, and a relevant capstone project, thesis, or GitHub portfolio significantly strengthens an application. Community college certificate programs in biotechnology offered through California institutions such as Mission College or Laney College can also bridge gaps for candidates moving from adjacent roles like quality control or manufacturing technician.

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

You can find and apply to research and development jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across industries and experience levels. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly from the listing.

See All 25 Research And Development Jobs in California

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

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