Systems Engineer Visa Sponsorship Jobs in California
California is one of the top states for systems engineer visa sponsorship jobs, with major employers across the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego. Companies like Apple, Cisco, Northrop Grumman, and Raytheon Technologies regularly hire systems engineers and have established H-1B visa sponsorship programs. Defense, aerospace, semiconductors, and enterprise software all drive strong demand.
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INTRODUCTION
At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom, and belonging makes it a special place for students, faculty, and staff, who are among the most talented and accomplished anywhere, including Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and MacArthur Fellows. Since our founding in 1868, we have been an engine for innovation - driving intellectual, economic, and social progress that benefits California, the U.S., and beyond. Together, we change the world.
At Berkeley, the best careers are built on a foundation of continuous learning and growth. We actively support professional development by providing all full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours of paid time per year and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups.
We invite applicants who are inspired by our Principles of Community and who are eager to be part of our exciting Strategic Plan, which charts Berkeley's next era of excellence.
Position Summary
The Information Systems Analyst 2 ensures the reliable, secure, and efficient operation of information systems that support instructional and administrative functions. This position provides advanced technical support, manages and optimizes systems and services, and leads or contributes to projects that implement and improve technology solutions. The Information Systems Analyst 2 bridges user needs and technical systems to ensure that technology effectively supports business operations, enhances the user experience, and aligns with organizational goals.
APPLICATION REVIEW DATE
The First Review Date for this job is August 11, 2026. For full consideration, please apply on or before the first review date.
Responsibilities
Systems Administration & Maintenance:
- Manages and supports services composed of multiple integrated systems.
- Evaluates, installs, configures, modifies, and maintains operating systems, software, databases, utilities, and tools.
- Supports identity and access management functions, including account provisioning, permissions, and access controls, and assists with system integrations across enterprise and departmental platforms.
- Applies and maintains appropriate security controls, endpoint protection measures, and standard configurations to ensure system reliability, data protection, and compliance with established security practices and policies.
Technical Support & Issue Resolution:
- Provides advanced technical support (Tier 2/3) for hardware, software, network, and application issues.
- Serves as an escalation point for complex problems, performs root cause analysis, and implements effective solutions.
- Troubleshoots issues that span multiple systems or services, including network connectivity, DNS, and endpoint/security tools, and coordinates with campus partners such as Network Services and Information Security (ISO) to diagnose and resolve issues.
- Identifies and escalates potential security risks or vulnerabilities in accordance with established procedures.
- Assists in coordinating support requests and provides guidance to junior staff as needed.
Systems Analysis, Development & Scripting:
- Performs moderately complex analysis, design, and implementation of systems, processes, and procedures.
- Gathers and documents business and user needs, supports development of system specifications, and contributes to system and process improvements.
- Designs, develops, tests, and maintains scripts and tools, and participates in release and change management activities.
- Supports development and maintenance of internal tools, system integrations, and workflow automations across platforms such as service management systems (e.g., Zendesk), identity services, and business applications, incorporating security best practices where applicable.
- Adopts and seeks to improve upon departmental practices, including code review, versioning, and release, change, risk, problem, and incident management.
Infrastructure & Data Management:
- Supports infrastructure and data environments, including server systems, directory services, file and print services, network connectivity, DNS services, and moderately complex databases.
- Coordinates with campus IT and external service providers, including Network Services and Information Security (ISO), to maintain system functionality and security.
- Applies data management practices and supports secure data handling, access controls, and compliance with data protection standards.
- Assists with database performance, design considerations, and protection of sensitive data.
Projects & Technology Implementations:
- Plans and implements hardware and software upgrades, system enhancements, and technology deployments.
- Participates in projects of moderate scope and may support components of larger initiatives.
- Works with IT staff, campus partners, and stakeholders to implement solutions that align with operational needs and established security standards.
- May serve as a technical resource for software development projects of varying size, complexity, and urgency.
Documentation, Training & Operational Support:
- Develops and maintains technical documentation, training materials, and standard operating procedures, including documentation of system configurations and security practices.
- Contributes to ongoing improvements in system and security practices, including aspects of the software development lifecycle.
- Supports operational processes such as onboarding and offboarding workflows, service management system configuration (e.g., Zendesk), and knowledge base maintenance.
- Communicates technical and security-related information to users and stakeholders and remains current with relevant technologies, standards, and policies.
Other Duties As Assigned
Performs special projects and other duties as assigned, which may include supporting unit-level safety coordination, emergency preparedness activities, and other operational needs.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- General demonstrated knowledge of several areas of IT.
- Demonstrated ability to install software and troubleshoot and repair moderately complex problems with computing devices, peripherals, and software.
- Understanding of system performance monitoring and actions that can be taken to improve or correct performance.
- Basic knowledge of incident response procedures.
- Demonstrated ability to follow software specifications.
- Ability to write technical documentation in a clear and concise manner.
- Self-motivated and works independently and as part of a team.
- Demonstrates problem-solving skills.
- Able to learn effectively and meet deadlines.
- Interpersonal skills sufficient to work with both technical and non-technical personnel at various levels in the organization.
- Ability to elicit and communicate technical and non-technical information in a clear and concise manner.
- Bachelor's degree in a related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience supporting identity and access management systems, including account provisioning, permissions, and access controls in enterprise or higher education environments.
- Demonstrated experience with database administration.
- Experience developing and maintaining scripts (e.g., PowerShell, Bash, Python) to automate system administration, user lifecycle management, and operational workflows.
- Basic programming experience, including familiarity with Java, and an interest in developing automation or technical solutions.
- Demonstrated knowledge of computer security tools, best practices, and policies.
- Demonstrated skills applying security controls to computer software and hardware.
- Experience administering or customizing service management platforms (e.g., Zendesk), including workflow configuration, automation, and knowledge base management.
- Experience developing or supporting system integrations and workflow automations using APIs, scripting, or other integration tools across business and IT systems (e.g., HRIS, ticketing systems, or project management platforms).
- Experience working with endpoint security tools and implementing security best practices in coordination with centralized IT or Information Security teams.
- Experience supporting or coordinating with network infrastructure services, including troubleshooting connectivity issues involving DNS, VPN, or campus network services.
- Experience supporting onboarding and offboarding processes through system access management, automation, or workflow design.
- Experience working in a higher education or similarly complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
SALARY & BENEFITS
For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.
Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.
The budgeted hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $37.57 - $52.20.
This is a non-exempt, bi-weekly paid position.
This is a full-time (40 hours/week) Career position eligible for UC benefits.
Systems Engineer Job Roles in California
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Search Systems Engineer Jobs in CaliforniaSystems Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for systems engineers in California?
Large technology and defense contractors are the most consistent sponsors. Companies like Cisco, Apple, Intel, Qualcomm, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon Technologies, Lockheed Martin, and Google have all filed H-1B petitions for systems engineer roles in California. Enterprise software firms and cloud infrastructure companies in the Bay Area also sponsor regularly. Sponsorship patterns vary by business unit and hiring volume, so it is worth researching each employer's recent H-1B disclosure data through the DOL's OFLC database.
Which visa types are most common for systems engineer roles in California?
The H-1B is the most common visa for systems engineers in California, as the role generally qualifies as a specialty occupation requiring at least a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a related field. The O-1A is an option for candidates with demonstrated extraordinary ability. Systems engineers from Canada or Mexico may qualify under the TN visa. Those already holding an L-1B through an intracompany transfer are another cohort California employers regularly see.
How to find systems engineer visa sponsorship jobs in California?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically by visa sponsorship availability, making it straightforward to browse systems engineer roles in California without sorting through positions that do not offer sponsorship. You can search by location, filtering to cities like San Jose, Los Angeles, San Diego, or Sacramento. Because systems engineering spans defense, semiconductors, and software, using Migrate Mate's role-specific search helps surface relevant openings across all those sub-industries in one place.
Which cities in California have the most systems engineer sponsorship jobs?
The San Francisco Bay Area, particularly San Jose and Santa Clara, leads in systems engineer sponsorship due to the density of semiconductor and networking companies. Los Angeles and El Segundo are significant hubs for aerospace and defense systems engineering, with major contractors headquartered there. San Diego has a strong defense and wireless technology cluster centered around Qualcomm and several naval-adjacent contractors. Sacramento sees demand from state government IT and utilities infrastructure projects.
Are there any California-specific considerations for systems engineers seeking visa sponsorship?
California's Department of Industrial Relations enforces prevailing wage rules independently of federal DOL requirements in some contexts, which can affect how employers structure compensation for sponsored roles. The state's large defense sector means many systems engineer positions require a security clearance, which can complicate sponsorship for candidates without U.S. citizenship or permanent residency, as most clearances are restricted to those categories. University pipelines from UC San Diego, UC Berkeley, and Cal Poly feed directly into sponsoring employers, so new graduates entering the job market should account for OPT and STEM OPT timelines when applying.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored systems engineer jobs in California?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.