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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Overview

Open roles2,496+
Top employerApple
Top citySan Jose, CA
Cities hiring131
Work type87% On-site
Top industryTechnology

Showing 5 of 2,496+ Systems Engineer jobs

Qualcomm
Senior ADAS R&D Systems Engineer
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Qualcomm
New 2h ago
Senior ADAS R&D Systems Engineer
Qualcomm
Santa Clara, California
Specialized Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
$164k - $213k/yr
On-Site
Master's
10,000+

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KLA
HPC Systems Engineer
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KLA
Added 1d ago
HPC Systems Engineer
KLA
Milpitas, California
Cloud & DevOps
Technical Product & Program Management
IT Support & Systems Administration
Systems Administration
$160k - $271k/yr
On-Site
Doctorate
5,001-10,000

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Apple
Home Hardware Systems Engineer
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Apple
Added 2d ago
Home Hardware Systems Engineer
Apple
Sunnyvale, California
Electrical Engineering
Specialized Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
$147k - $272k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Qualcomm
Sr. Director Systems Engineer
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Qualcomm
Added 3d ago
Sr. Director Systems Engineer
Qualcomm
San Diego, California
Specialized Engineering
Project & Program Management
Engineering (Non-Software)
Project Management
$251k - $377k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Collabera
Senior Systems Engineer
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Collabera
Added 3d ago
Senior Systems Engineer
Collabera
Pleasanton, California
Business Analysis
Project & Program Management
Compliance & Legal
Project Management
$50 - $60/hr
On-Site
Bachelor's

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See All 2,496+ Systems Engineer Jobs in California

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

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Systems Engineer Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

San Jose
326 jobs
Santa Clara
311 jobs
Sunnyvale
208 jobs
San Francisco
205 jobs
San Diego
171 jobs
Cupertino
160 jobs
Irvine
113 jobs
Mountain View
105 jobs
Palo Alto
70 jobs

Systems Engineer Job Market in California

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

Who's Hiring

  • Apple
    Apple305
  • NVIDIA
    NVIDIA156
  • Qualcomm
    Qualcomm95
  • Amazon
    Amazon67
  • Monolithic Power Systems
    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