Research Engineer Jobs in California
Research Engineer jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in semiconductors, biotech, aerospace, and artificial intelligence across a seniority range from entry-level associate researcher through principal and staff engineer. The largest hiring metros are San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego, and Los Angeles, where companies like Intel, Qualcomm, and Northrop Grumman maintain major research operations. The most in-demand specializations right now are machine learning systems, materials science, and computational biology. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Research Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 319+ Research Engineer jobs






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 319+ Research Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Research Engineer JobsResearch Engineer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Research Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- TikTok23

- Anthropic21

- DeepMind14

- OpenAI13

- HUD12
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software36
- Science & Research17
- Artificial Intelligence6
- Electronics & Hardware5
- Manufacturing3
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in research engineer jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, physics, or a closely related technical field
- Graduate degree preferred for research-focused roles, especially at university-affiliated labs or deep-tech companies
- Demonstrated experience designing and executing experiments, with peer-reviewed publications or patent contributions a strong plus
- Proficiency in scientific programming languages such as Python, MATLAB, or C++ for data analysis and modeling
- Ability to collaborate across cross-functional teams including product, hardware, and clinical or regulatory partners
- Familiarity with California-prevalent research environments such as national labs, defense contractors, or biotech CROs
Research Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a research engineer in California?
Most research engineer roles in California require at minimum a bachelor's degree in an engineering or applied science discipline, with many employers, particularly in biotech and defense, expecting a master's or PhD for independent research positions. California does not require a state-specific license for most research engineer titles, though engineers who sign off on public-facing designs may need a Professional Engineer license through the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists.
Which companies hire research engineers in California?
Employers hiring research engineers in California right now include TikTok, Anthropic, and DeepMind, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's concentration of semiconductor firms, defense primes, and life sciences companies means demand is distributed across both large multinationals and well-funded research startups.
Which California cities have the most research engineer jobs?
San Francisco, San Jose, and Mountain View have the most research engineer openings in California. The Bay Area's concentration of technology headquarters and university spin-outs drives much of the volume, while San Diego's strong biotech and defense corridors and Los Angeles's aerospace and AI ecosystem account for the rest of the distribution.
Are there remote research engineer jobs in California?
Yes, but they're less common than in purely software-focused roles because much research engineering involves lab access, physical prototyping, or on-site equipment. About 60% of research engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026. The portions of the role most likely to be performed remotely are computational modeling, data analysis, and literature review rather than hands-on experimental work.
How can I get hired as a research engineer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a research internship or co-op during an undergraduate or graduate program, as California employers including Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Genentech, and Lockheed Martin run structured new-grad and intern pipelines that convert to full-time roles. Adjacent positions such as lab technician, research associate, or test engineer are common lateral starting points. Building a portfolio of documented projects, a GitHub repository for computational work, or a graduate thesis publication gives candidates a measurable edge when applying at larger California research institutions.
Where can I find and apply to research engineer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to research engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings. Search the available roles, find the ones that match your background and location preference, and apply directly to each one.
See All 319+ Research Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Research Engineer Jobs