Sustainability Jobs in California
Sustainability jobs in California are concentrated in clean energy, tech, government, and real estate sectors, with demand at every level from entry-level analyst to director of sustainability. Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Jose are the heaviest hiring metros, home to major employers like Apple, Pacific Gas and Electric, and the State of California, all of which maintain active sustainability teams. The most in-demand specialties are ESG reporting, carbon accounting, and climate risk management. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 61+ Sustainability jobs
DESCRIPTION
Join us at the forefront of Amazon's sustainability initiatives to work on environmental and social advancements that support Amazon's long-term worldwide sustainability strategy. At Amazon, we're working to be the most customer-centric company on earth. To get there, we need exceptionally talented, bright, and driven people.
We are looking for a Research Scientist to join our growing Sustainability team to drive the science behind value chain decarbonization. This role will establish Amazon's scientific methodologies for sector- and cross-sectoral decarbonization mechanisms, and establish benchmarks for automated validation and risk assessment.
As a Research Scientist, you will be responsible for independently leading assessments of environmental issues across the full spectrum of Amazon businesses and evaluating sustainability impacts across the value chain. You will independently develop quality frameworks and methodologies that enable Amazon to scale procurement of high-quality environmental interventions while maintaining scientific rigor and environmental integrity.
Key job responsibilities
Develop quality assessment frameworks for complex environmental interventions, baseline-setting approaches, and measurement methodologies
Build quantitative benchmark and statistical models that enable scalable evaluation across heterogeneous data sources
Create attribution methodologies for supply chain interventions across Amazon's diverse footprint
Develop social and environmental safeguard criteria that integrate community impact assessments
Collaborate with cross-functional teams including procurement, sustainability operations, and business units to translate scientific methodologies into operational requirements
Work under the direction of senior business leaders while acting as lead Subject Matter Expert for value chain decarbonization science, including designing and leading research, data collection, modeling, documentation, interpretation, and validation
About the team
Diverse Experiences:
World Wide Sustainability values diverse experiences. Even if you do not meet all of the qualifications and skills listed in the job description, we encourage candidates to apply. If your career is just starting, hasn’t followed a traditional path, or includes alternative experiences, don’t let it stop you from applying.
Inclusive Team Culture:
It’s in our nature to learn and be curious. Our employee-led affinity groups foster a culture of inclusion that empower us to be proud of our differences. Ongoing events and learning experiences, including our Conversations on Race and Ethnicity (CORE) and AmazeCon (inclusive diversity) conferences, inspire us to never stop embracing our uniqueness.
Mentorship & Career Growth:
We’re continuously raising our performance bar as we strive to become Earth’s Best Employer. That’s why you’ll find endless knowledge-sharing, mentorship and other career-advancing resources here to help you develop into a better-rounded professional.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- PhD, or Master's degree and 4+ years of quantitative field research experience
- Experience investigating the feasibility of applying scientific principles and concepts to business problems and products
- Experience analyzing both experimental and observational data sets
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Knowledge of R, MATLAB, Python or similar scripting language
- Experience with agile development
- Experience building web based dashboards using common frameworks
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Los Angeles County applicants: Job duties for this position include: work safely and cooperatively with other employees, supervisors, and staff; adhere to standards of excellence despite stressful conditions; communicate effectively and respectfully with employees, supervisors, and staff to ensure exceptional customer service; and follow all federal, state, and local laws and Company policies. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness and professionalism, and safeguard business operations and the Company’s reputation. Pursuant to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.
USA, CA, San Francisco - 157,300.00 - 212,800.00 USD annually
USA, NY, New York - 157,300.00 - 212,800.00 USD annually
USA, WA, Seattle - 136,000.00 - 184,000.00 USD annually
DESCRIPTION
Join us at the forefront of Amazon's sustainability initiatives to work on environmental and social advancements that support Amazon's long-term worldwide sustainability strategy. At Amazon, we're working to be the most customer-centric company on earth. To get there, we need exceptionally talented, bright, and driven people.
We are looking for a Research Scientist to join our growing Sustainability team to drive the science behind value chain decarbonization. This role will establish Amazon's scientific methodologies for sector- and cross-sectoral decarbonization mechanisms, and establish benchmarks for automated validation and risk assessment.
As a Research Scientist, you will be responsible for independently leading assessments of environmental issues across the full spectrum of Amazon businesses and evaluating sustainability impacts across the value chain. You will independently develop quality frameworks and methodologies that enable Amazon to scale procurement of high-quality environmental interventions while maintaining scientific rigor and environmental integrity.
Key job responsibilities
Develop quality assessment frameworks for complex environmental interventions, baseline-setting approaches, and measurement methodologies
Build quantitative benchmark and statistical models that enable scalable evaluation across heterogeneous data sources
Create attribution methodologies for supply chain interventions across Amazon's diverse footprint
Develop social and environmental safeguard criteria that integrate community impact assessments
Collaborate with cross-functional teams including procurement, sustainability operations, and business units to translate scientific methodologies into operational requirements
Work under the direction of senior business leaders while acting as lead Subject Matter Expert for value chain decarbonization science, including designing and leading research, data collection, modeling, documentation, interpretation, and validation
About the team
Diverse Experiences:
World Wide Sustainability values diverse experiences. Even if you do not meet all of the qualifications and skills listed in the job description, we encourage candidates to apply. If your career is just starting, hasn’t followed a traditional path, or includes alternative experiences, don’t let it stop you from applying.
Inclusive Team Culture:
It’s in our nature to learn and be curious. Our employee-led affinity groups foster a culture of inclusion that empower us to be proud of our differences. Ongoing events and learning experiences, including our Conversations on Race and Ethnicity (CORE) and AmazeCon (inclusive diversity) conferences, inspire us to never stop embracing our uniqueness.
Mentorship & Career Growth:
We’re continuously raising our performance bar as we strive to become Earth’s Best Employer. That’s why you’ll find endless knowledge-sharing, mentorship and other career-advancing resources here to help you develop into a better-rounded professional.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- PhD, or Master's degree and 4+ years of quantitative field research experience
- Experience investigating the feasibility of applying scientific principles and concepts to business problems and products
- Experience analyzing both experimental and observational data sets
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Knowledge of R, MATLAB, Python or similar scripting language
- Experience with agile development
- Experience building web based dashboards using common frameworks
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Los Angeles County applicants: Job duties for this position include: work safely and cooperatively with other employees, supervisors, and staff; adhere to standards of excellence despite stressful conditions; communicate effectively and respectfully with employees, supervisors, and staff to ensure exceptional customer service; and follow all federal, state, and local laws and Company policies. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness and professionalism, and safeguard business operations and the Company’s reputation. Pursuant to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.
USA, CA, San Francisco - 157,300.00 - 212,800.00 USD annually
USA, NY, New York - 157,300.00 - 212,800.00 USD annually
USA, WA, Seattle - 136,000.00 - 184,000.00 USD annually
See All 61 Sustainability Jobs in California
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Find Sustainability JobsSustainability Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Sustainability Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Food & Beverage
- Consulting & Professional Services
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in sustainability jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in environmental science, sustainability, urban planning, or a related field
- Experience with ESG reporting frameworks such as GRI, SASB, or TCFD
- Proficiency in carbon accounting and greenhouse gas inventory management
- Familiarity with California environmental regulations including CEQA and AB 32
- LEED AP, ISSP-SA, or another recognized sustainability credential preferred
- Strong data analysis skills with experience in Excel, Salesforce, or sustainability software platforms
Sustainability Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a sustainability professional in California?
Most sustainability roles in California require at least a bachelor's degree in environmental science, environmental studies, urban planning, or a closely related field. California does not issue a single state license for sustainability work, but employers widely expect credentials such as LEED AP, ISSP Sustainability Associate, or a CEQA compliance certificate. Graduate programs at UC Berkeley, UCLA, and UC Santa Barbara are recognized pipelines, and many roles also value direct experience with California-specific regulations like AB 32 and the California Environmental Quality Act.
Which companies hire sustainability professionals in California?
Companies currently hiring sustainabilitys in California include Tesla, Amazon, and SmithGroup, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. California's blend of large tech headquarters, investor-owned utilities, and state government agencies makes it one of the most active markets in the country for sustainability hiring.
Which California cities have the most sustainability jobs?
San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Fremont have the most sustainability job openings in California. Los Angeles and San Francisco drive the bulk of listings through their concentrations of corporate headquarters, government agencies, and climate-focused startups, while San Jose benefits from the dense presence of large tech companies with active ESG and environmental compliance teams.
Are there remote sustainability jobs in California?
Yes, and more than many fields, because much sustainability work centers on data analysis, reporting, and strategy rather than on-site operations. About 77% of sustainability openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, reflecting the desk-heavy nature of ESG and reporting roles. Roles focused on fieldwork, facilities audits, or environmental site assessments are almost always on-site.
How can I get hired as a sustainability professional in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is an internship or coordinator role at a California public agency, utility, or large corporate sustainability department. The State of California, county planning departments, and investor-owned utilities like PG&E and Southern California Edison regularly post entry-level environmental analyst and sustainability coordinator positions. Lateral moves from roles in environmental compliance, facilities management, or supply chain are common. Earning a LEED Green Associate credential or completing a CEQA certificate program at a California community college strengthens a candidate's profile before the first full-time application.
Where can I find and apply to sustainability jobs in California?
You can find and apply to sustainability jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across industries and experience levels. Search the listings, find roles that fit your background and location, and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 61 Sustainability Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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