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.

Find Systems Engineer Jobs

Overview

Open roles655+
Top employerNorthrop Grumman
Top citySan Diego, CA
Cities hiring100
Work type56% On-site
Top industryElectronics

Showing 5 of 655+ Systems Engineer jobs

Apple
Simulation and Control Systems Engineer
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Apple
Added 1d ago
Simulation and Control Systems Engineer
Apple
Cupertino, California
Specialized Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Robotics Engineering
$205k - $309k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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ServiceNow
Staff Software Engineer - Data Platform - Kubernetes - Distributed Systems - Federal
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ServiceNow
Added 1d ago
Staff Software Engineer - Data Platform - Kubernetes - Distributed Systems - Federal
ServiceNow
San Diego, California
Account Management
Business Development
Sales
$150k - $262k/yr
Hybrid
Master's degree
10,000+

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ServiceNow
Senior Staff Software Engineer - Data Platform - Kubernetes - Distributed Systems - Federal
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ServiceNow
Added 1d ago
Senior Staff Software Engineer - Data Platform - Kubernetes - Distributed Systems - Federal
ServiceNow
Santa Clara, California
Cloud & DevOps
Cloud Engineering
Network Engineering
Systems Administration
$150k - $262k/yr
Hybrid
Master's degree
10,000+

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ServiceNow
Senior Staff Software Engineer - Data Platform - Kubernetes - Distributed Systems - Federal
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ServiceNow
Added 1d ago
Senior Staff Software Engineer - Data Platform - Kubernetes - Distributed Systems - Federal
ServiceNow
San Diego, California
Account Management
Business Development
Sales
$150k - $262k/yr
Hybrid
Master's degree
10,000+

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Modern Railway Systems
Transit Systems Engineer
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Modern Railway Systems
Added 1d ago
Transit Systems Engineer
Modern Railway Systems
Van Nuys, California
Backend Engineering
Data Science
Software Engineering
$115k - $135k/yr
Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering
51-200

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See All 655+ Systems Engineer Jobs in California

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Systems Engineer Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

San Jose
23 jobs

Systems Engineer Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • Northrop Grumman
    Northrop Grumman46
  • Tesla
    Tesla21
  • Anduril
    Anduril18
  • Raytheon
    Raytheon18
  • Boeing
    Boeing17

Top Industries Hiring

  • Electronics & Hardware11
  • Technology & Software6
  • Consulting & Professional Services3
  • Manufacturing2
  • Education1

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 Northrop Grumman, Tesla, and Anduril, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 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 Diego, San Francisco, and El Segundo 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 44% of systems engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 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 655+ Systems Engineer Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Systems Engineer Jobs