Systems Engineer Jobs in California
Systems Engineer jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in aerospace and defense, semiconductor manufacturing, enterprise software, and clean energy, with openings at every level from associate systems engineer through principal and staff engineer. The largest hiring markets are the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego, where established employers like Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Qualcomm maintain deep and consistent demand. The most in-demand specialties include embedded systems, systems integration, and model-based systems engineering. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Company:
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.
Job Area:
Engineering Group, Engineering Group > ADAS R&D Systems
General Summary:
Develop cutting edge semiconductor technologies that enable safe and efficient functioning of autonomous vehicles by applying expertise in highly automated, autonomous, and uncrewed systems, robotics and artificial intelligence. Independently plan, perform the moderately-defined responsibility for the research, design, and development of technology blocks and algorithms that directly enable autonomous and self-driving vehicles. These technologies include camera perception using DL and computer vision; high precision localization; radar perception; lidar perception; sensor synchronization and calibration; multi-sensor fusion; estimation and tracking of static and dynamic objects in the environment; behavior prediction of agents; dynamic planning of autonomous vehicle’s decision, trajectory and speed; autonomous vehicle control to achieve desired trajectory. Participates and contributes towards industry standardization efforts in the space of autonomous driving. Act as a strong contributor at design reviews and project meetings.
Basic Qualifications:
Will accept a Master's Degree (or foreign academic equivalent) in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science or related degree field.
Will also accept a Bachelor's Degree (or foreign academic equivalent) in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science or related degree field and five (5) years of progressive experience in a related occupation. Employer will accept any suitable combination of education, training or experience.
Pay Range:
$163,555.00 - $213,200.00/year
Applicants:
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.
If you would like more information about this role, please contact Qualcomm Careers.
See All 2,496+ Systems Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Systems Engineer JobsSystems Engineer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Systems Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Apple305

- NVIDIA156

- Qualcomm95

- Amazon67

- Monolithic Power Systems49

Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software896
- Electronics & Hardware760
- Consulting & Professional Services159
- Manufacturing141
- Automotive126
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in systems engineer jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in systems engineering, electrical engineering, or a closely related technical field
- Experience with systems integration, verification, and validation across complex hardware-software systems
- Proficiency in model-based systems engineering tools such as MATLAB, Simulink, or SysML
- Familiarity with requirements management tools including DOORS, JAMA, or equivalent platforms
- Active DoD security clearance or eligibility to obtain one, required by many California defense contractors
- Strong documentation and cross-functional collaboration skills for multi-disciplinary California program teams
Systems Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a systems engineer in California?
Most systems engineer roles in California require a bachelor's degree in systems engineering, electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a related field. California does not require a state-issued license specific to the systems engineering title, though engineers who sign off on public-works designs may need a Professional Engineer license through the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists. Certifications such as INCOSE's Certified Systems Engineering Professional strengthen candidacy, particularly for defense and aerospace roles.
Which companies hire systems engineers in California?
Employers hiring systems engineers in California right now include Apple, NVIDIA, and Qualcomm, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's concentration of aerospace primes, semiconductor firms, and defense contractors means demand is consistent across both established corporations and funded growth-stage companies in the Bay Area and Southern California.
Which California cities have the most systems engineer jobs?
San Jose, Santa Clara, and Sunnyvale have the most systems engineer openings in California. The Bay Area's density reflects the region's semiconductor, enterprise software, and hardware industries, while Los Angeles and San Diego are driven by the large aerospace and defense contractors, naval research facilities, and defense electronics firms that anchor both metro areas.
Are there remote systems engineer jobs in California?
Yes, but they're less common than in purely software-focused roles, since systems engineering often involves hands-on hardware integration and lab work. About 13% of systems engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, reflecting that some program management, requirements analysis, and modeling work can be done off-site. Roles focused on software-defined systems or digital engineering tend to offer the most remote flexibility.
How can I get hired as a systems engineer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying to associate or junior systems engineer roles at California's major defense and aerospace employers, which run formal new-graduate programs, including Northrop Grumman's Engineering Development Program and Lockheed Martin's early-career rotational tracks at their California sites. Lateral moves from roles like test engineer, quality assurance engineer, or systems analyst are common entry points. Completing an INCOSE student membership, building a portfolio in SysML or MATLAB, and targeting university hiring programs at UC San Diego or Cal Poly accelerates consideration.
Where can I find and apply to systems engineer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to systems engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across aerospace, defense, semiconductor, and enterprise technology employers. Find roles that fit your experience and apply directly.
See All 2,496+ Systems Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Systems Engineer Jobs