Systems Architect Jobs in San Diego, CA
Systems Architect jobs in San Diego are concentrated in Sorrento Valley, Kearny Mesa, and Downtown San Diego, driven by defense technology, cybersecurity, biotech infrastructure, and enterprise software sectors. Employers hiring right now include Northrop Grumman, Amphenol, and General Atomics. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Join the Wireless Technologies and Ecosystems organization and be part of an outstanding team of engineers driving innovation on products used by millions worldwide! Our team is looking for a highly motivated Performance Engineer to drive optimization of software design for Apple’s latest products, including the next generation of iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, AirPods, and Mac!
Description
Be a key member of the Connectivity Firmware Performance team, where you'll work on software design testing and optimization from early prototypes until productization. The work involves devising performance evaluation methodologies on SW/HW prototypes, analyzing logs, and making recommendations for implementing software design based on trade-off analysis at a system & product level.
Preferred Qualifications
You're experienced with power, performance trade-off analysis
You have a strong understanding one of Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Thread, or related protocols
You work with CPU profiling and optimizations
You approach problems flexibly, adjusting strategies as needed for practical solutions
You're focused on priorities and drive efforts toward achieving results
You stay curious, continually seeking to learn and improve processes
You have research or work experience in using AI/ML towards wireless problems
Minimum Qualifications
Minimum 10 years of experience in WiFi, BT or other Wireless Technologies
You have a background or research experience in RF, Digital, and Wireless communications
Programming experience in C or C++
You're experienced working with wireless sniffers and protocol analyzers to debug and root cause issues
You have experience with Python and Matlab for testing, data analysis and visualization
You're proficient in Python with hands-on experience using data science libraries for data manipulation & analysis
You have a Bachelors Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent experience
Pay & Benefits
At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $175,000 and $308,500, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple's discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple's Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You'll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses - including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. Learn more about Apple Benefits
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
Join the Wireless Technologies and Ecosystems organization and be part of an outstanding team of engineers driving innovation on products used by millions worldwide! Our team is looking for a highly motivated Performance Engineer to drive optimization of software design for Apple’s latest products, including the next generation of iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, AirPods, and Mac!
Description
Be a key member of the Connectivity Firmware Performance team, where you'll work on software design testing and optimization from early prototypes until productization. The work involves devising performance evaluation methodologies on SW/HW prototypes, analyzing logs, and making recommendations for implementing software design based on trade-off analysis at a system & product level.
Preferred Qualifications
You're experienced with power, performance trade-off analysis
You have a strong understanding one of Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Thread, or related protocols
You work with CPU profiling and optimizations
You approach problems flexibly, adjusting strategies as needed for practical solutions
You're focused on priorities and drive efforts toward achieving results
You stay curious, continually seeking to learn and improve processes
You have research or work experience in using AI/ML towards wireless problems
Minimum Qualifications
Minimum 10 years of experience in WiFi, BT or other Wireless Technologies
You have a background or research experience in RF, Digital, and Wireless communications
Programming experience in C or C++
You're experienced working with wireless sniffers and protocol analyzers to debug and root cause issues
You have experience with Python and Matlab for testing, data analysis and visualization
You're proficient in Python with hands-on experience using data science libraries for data manipulation & analysis
You have a Bachelors Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent experience
Pay & Benefits
At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $175,000 and $308,500, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple's discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple's Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You'll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses - including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. Learn more about Apple Benefits
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
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Find Systems Architect JobsSystems Architect Job Market in San Diego
Who's Hiring
- Northrop Grumman35
- Amphenol14
- General Atomics14
- Apple7
- Qualcomm7
Top Industries Hiring
- Telecommunications
- Technology & Software
- Electronics & Hardware
Systems Architect Jobs in San Diego: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a systems architect job in San Diego?
Focus your search on San Diego's defense contractors, cybersecurity firms, and biotech companies, which consistently hire systems architects across Sorrento Valley, Kearny Mesa, and the UTC corridor. Candidates with active security clearances hold a strong advantage with the area's large defense and government contracting employers. Familiarity with cloud-native architectures, network infrastructure, and systems integration rounds out the profile most San Diego hiring managers look for.
Which companies hire systems architects in San Diego?
Employers hiring systems architects in San Diego right now include Northrop Grumman, Amphenol, and General Atomics, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. San Diego's mix of large defense primes, mid-size cybersecurity firms, and health-tech companies makes it one of the more varied markets for this role on the West Coast.
Are there remote systems architect jobs in San Diego?
Yes, though roles tied to classified defense programs or on-site infrastructure work typically require in-person presence. About 33% of systems architect openings tied to San Diego are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, skewing toward enterprise software and SaaS employers rather than defense or biotech. Cloud architecture and solution design work tends to be the most remote-friendly subset of the role locally.
How can I get a systems architect job in San Diego with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in San Diego is moving laterally from a systems engineer or network administrator role at one of the area's many defense contractors or managed service providers, which regularly promote from within. Pursuing a security clearance early is a meaningful differentiator given how many San Diego employers require one. Mid-size biotech and health-tech companies in the Torrey Pines and Sorrento Mesa corridors also hire associate-level architects and offer structured advancement.
Which industries hire the most systems architects in San Diego?
Most systems architect openings in San Diego sit in Telecommunications, Technology & Software, and Electronics & Hardware, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. San Diego's deep roots in defense contracting, life sciences, and telecommunications infrastructure make those sectors the primary drivers of local demand for this role.
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