Staff Engineer Jobs in San Diego, CA
Staff Engineer jobs in San Diego are concentrated in Sorrento Valley, UTC, and the Torrey Pines corridor, driven by demand in defense tech, biotech, and enterprise software. Employers actively hiring include Qualcomm, Shield, and Northrop Grumman, with steady openings for platform, embedded systems, and distributed systems specialists. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Showing 5 of 231+ Staff Engineer jobs
Company:
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.Job Area:
Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Packaging EngineeringGeneral Summary:
We are seeking a highly motivated Staff Engineer, Advanced Packaging & Package Integration to lead package technology development, architecture, NPI, and manufacturing execution for next-generation AI and data center products. The role will focus on advanced heterogeneous integration and close collaboration with foundries, OSATs, substrate suppliers, and internal design and manufacturing teams.
Key Responsibilities
Advanced Package Development & Integration
- Lead package development for 2.5D/3D integration, CoWoS, SoIC, HBM, Silicon Bridge, hybrid bonding, FCBGA, and high-density substrates .
- Drive package architecture optimization, including die floorplanning, bump/microbump strategy, power/signal integrity, and thermal/mechanical design .
- Develop package test vehicles to support technology qualification and early risk reduction.
NPI & Manufacturing
- Lead package NPI from concept through engineering builds, qualification, production ramp, and manufacturing release.
- Drive bumping, flip-chip assembly, underfill, thermal solutions, substrate assembly, and board-level integration .
- Lead technical risk assessment, root-cause analysis, qualification, yield improvement, and manufacturing readiness.
Foundry & Supplier Collaboration
- Partner with foundries, bumping houses, substrate suppliers, and OSATs on design rules, PDK readiness, process capability, reliability, yield, cycle time, capacity, and production ramp .
- Support new process and production-line qualification and multi-source readiness.
Additional Skills
- Good analytical and project management skills.
- Excellent capability of innovation and creativity.
- Highly motivated and committed to success of the individual and the team.
- Superior interpersonal communication skills. Publish technical reports.
- Able to work flexible hours. Occasional domestic/international travels needed.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field and 4+ years of System/Package Design/Technology Engineering or related work experience.
Master's degree in Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field and 3+ years of System/Package Design/Technology Engineering or related work experience.
OR
PhD in Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field and 2+ year of System/Package Design/Technology Engineering or related work experience.
Preferred Qualifications:
- M.S. or Ph.D. in Materials Science, Mechanical engineering, chemical engineering or equivalent.
- Minimum of 8–10 years hands-on experience in silicon interconnect process, bumping and/or RDL process, new technology qualification and production.
Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer. If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation during the application/hiring process, rest assured that Qualcomm is committed to providing an accessible process. You may e-mail disability-accomodations@qualcomm.com or call Qualcomm's toll-free number found here . Upon request, Qualcomm will provide reasonable accommodations to support individuals with disabilities to be able participate in the hiring process. Qualcomm is also committed to making our workplace accessible for individuals with disabilities. (Keep in mind that this email address is used to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. We will not respond here to requests for updates on applications or resume inquiries).
To all Staffing and Recruiting Agencies : Our Careers Site is only for individuals seeking a job at Qualcomm. Staffing and recruiting agencies and individuals being represented by an agency are not authorized to use this site or to submit profiles, applications or resumes, and any such submissions will be considered unsolicited. Qualcomm does not accept unsolicited resumes or applications from agencies. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, Qualcomm employees or any other company location. Qualcomm is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes/applications.
EEO Employer: Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or any other protected classification.
Qualcomm expects its employees to abide by all applicable policies and procedures, including but not limited to security and other requirements regarding protection of Company confidential information and other confidential and/or proprietary information, to the extent those requirements are permissible under applicable law.
Pay range and Other Compensation & Benefits :
$160,200.00 - $240,200.00The above pay scale reflects the broad, minimum to maximum, pay scale for this job code for the location for which it has been posted. Even more importantly, please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Qualcomm. We also offer a competitive annual discretionary bonus program and opportunity for annual RSU grants (employees on sales-incentive plans are not eligible for our annual bonus). In addition, our highly competitive benefits package is designed to support your success at work, at home, and at play. Your recruiter will be happy to discuss all that Qualcomm has to offer – and you can review more details about our US benefits at this link .
If you would like more information about this role, please contact Qualcomm Careers .
Company:
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.Job Area:
Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Packaging EngineeringGeneral Summary:
We are seeking a highly motivated Staff Engineer, Advanced Packaging & Package Integration to lead package technology development, architecture, NPI, and manufacturing execution for next-generation AI and data center products. The role will focus on advanced heterogeneous integration and close collaboration with foundries, OSATs, substrate suppliers, and internal design and manufacturing teams.
Key Responsibilities
Advanced Package Development & Integration
- Lead package development for 2.5D/3D integration, CoWoS, SoIC, HBM, Silicon Bridge, hybrid bonding, FCBGA, and high-density substrates .
- Drive package architecture optimization, including die floorplanning, bump/microbump strategy, power/signal integrity, and thermal/mechanical design .
- Develop package test vehicles to support technology qualification and early risk reduction.
NPI & Manufacturing
- Lead package NPI from concept through engineering builds, qualification, production ramp, and manufacturing release.
- Drive bumping, flip-chip assembly, underfill, thermal solutions, substrate assembly, and board-level integration .
- Lead technical risk assessment, root-cause analysis, qualification, yield improvement, and manufacturing readiness.
Foundry & Supplier Collaboration
- Partner with foundries, bumping houses, substrate suppliers, and OSATs on design rules, PDK readiness, process capability, reliability, yield, cycle time, capacity, and production ramp .
- Support new process and production-line qualification and multi-source readiness.
Additional Skills
- Good analytical and project management skills.
- Excellent capability of innovation and creativity.
- Highly motivated and committed to success of the individual and the team.
- Superior interpersonal communication skills. Publish technical reports.
- Able to work flexible hours. Occasional domestic/international travels needed.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field and 4+ years of System/Package Design/Technology Engineering or related work experience.
Master's degree in Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field and 3+ years of System/Package Design/Technology Engineering or related work experience.
OR
PhD in Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field and 2+ year of System/Package Design/Technology Engineering or related work experience.
Preferred Qualifications:
- M.S. or Ph.D. in Materials Science, Mechanical engineering, chemical engineering or equivalent.
- Minimum of 8–10 years hands-on experience in silicon interconnect process, bumping and/or RDL process, new technology qualification and production.
Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer. If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation during the application/hiring process, rest assured that Qualcomm is committed to providing an accessible process. You may e-mail disability-accomodations@qualcomm.com or call Qualcomm's toll-free number found here . Upon request, Qualcomm will provide reasonable accommodations to support individuals with disabilities to be able participate in the hiring process. Qualcomm is also committed to making our workplace accessible for individuals with disabilities. (Keep in mind that this email address is used to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. We will not respond here to requests for updates on applications or resume inquiries).
To all Staffing and Recruiting Agencies : Our Careers Site is only for individuals seeking a job at Qualcomm. Staffing and recruiting agencies and individuals being represented by an agency are not authorized to use this site or to submit profiles, applications or resumes, and any such submissions will be considered unsolicited. Qualcomm does not accept unsolicited resumes or applications from agencies. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, Qualcomm employees or any other company location. Qualcomm is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes/applications.
EEO Employer: Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or any other protected classification.
Qualcomm expects its employees to abide by all applicable policies and procedures, including but not limited to security and other requirements regarding protection of Company confidential information and other confidential and/or proprietary information, to the extent those requirements are permissible under applicable law.
Pay range and Other Compensation & Benefits :
$160,200.00 - $240,200.00The above pay scale reflects the broad, minimum to maximum, pay scale for this job code for the location for which it has been posted. Even more importantly, please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Qualcomm. We also offer a competitive annual discretionary bonus program and opportunity for annual RSU grants (employees on sales-incentive plans are not eligible for our annual bonus). In addition, our highly competitive benefits package is designed to support your success at work, at home, and at play. Your recruiter will be happy to discuss all that Qualcomm has to offer – and you can review more details about our US benefits at this link .
If you would like more information about this role, please contact Qualcomm Careers .
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Find Staff Engineer JobsStaff Engineer Job Market in San Diego
Who's Hiring
- Qualcomm82
- Shield23
- Northrop Grumman23
- Shield AI20
- ServiceNow19
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software24
- Telecommunications19
- Electronics & Hardware19
- Aerospace & Defense7
- Media & Entertainment3
Staff Engineer Jobs in San Diego: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a staff engineer job in San Diego?
Focus your search on San Diego's defense and aerospace contractors clustered in Kearny Mesa and Sorrento Valley, the biotech and medtech firms along the Torrey Pines corridor, and the enterprise software companies based in UTC and Downtown. Candidates who have led cross-functional architecture decisions or mentored junior engineers stand out here, where employers expect a staff engineer to influence technical direction, not just execute it.
Which companies hire staff engineers in San Diego?
Companies currently hiring staff engineers in San Diego include Qualcomm, Shield, and Northrop Grumman, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. San Diego's hiring base is unusually broad, mixing large defense primes and publicly traded biotech firms with well-funded Series B and C startups, particularly in the Sorrento Valley and Little Italy innovation corridors.
Are there remote staff engineer jobs in San Diego?
Yes, though availability depends on the sector. Staff engineering in defense and hardware-adjacent roles is largely on-site due to security clearance requirements, while platform, cloud, and data infrastructure roles are far more remote-friendly. About 41% of staff engineer openings tied to San Diego are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, concentrated in the software and analytics segments. Biotech software and enterprise SaaS roles offer the most flexibility locally.
How can I get a staff engineer job in San Diego with little or no experience?
The most realistic path in San Diego is moving into a senior engineer role at one of the city's mid-size defense contractors or biotech software teams, which regularly hire engineers early in their trajectory and promote from within. Employers in Kearny Mesa and Sorrento Valley often value depth in embedded systems, signal processing, or bioinformatics pipelines, and candidates who contribute to open-source tooling or publish technical writing gain visibility quickly in those tightly networked communities.
Which industries hire the most staff engineers in San Diego?
The sectors hiring the most staff engineers in San Diego are Technology & Software, Telecommunications, and Electronics & Hardware, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. San Diego's unique concentration of Navy and Marine Corps facilities, world-class research universities, and a deep venture-backed startup ecosystem creates sustained demand across hardware-software boundary roles that few other West Coast cities replicate at this scale.
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