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1St Assistant Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Associate Engineer

Sacramento, CA

$85K - $125K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Maintain organized electronic engineering files and assist with document management and version ... Plans are subsidized for both employees and dependents with coverage effective the first month ...

Associate Engineer

Sacramento, CA · On-site

$85K - $125K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Maintain organized electronic engineering files and assist with document management and version ... Plans are subsidized for both employees and dependents with coverage effective the first month ...

Associate Engineer

Sacramento, CA · On-site

$85K - $125K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Maintain organized electronic engineering files and assist with document management and version ... Plans are subsidized for both employees and dependents with coverage effective the first month ...

First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset ... assist with coordination of new equipment installation and implementation; responsible for ...

First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset ... assist with coordination of new equipment installation and implementation; responsible for ...

Associate Engineer

Fresno, CA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The first phase of the program is currently under construction in California's Central Valley The ... Assist engineers with engineering design, drafting, and construction support activities for ...

Reliability Engineer

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$112K - $159K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Next, Haven-1 is expected to become the world's first commercial space station when it launches ... Identify critical components with significant impact to safety and mission success * Assist in root ...

Reliability Engineer

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$112.34 - $159.47/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Next, Haven‑1 is expected to become the world's first commercial space station when it launches ... Identify critical components with significant impact to safety and mission success * Assist in root ...

Field Engineer - Electrical Construction

Irvine, CA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

El Portal, CA Responsibilities Field Engineering: • Assist in interpretation of drawings and ... first time • Demonstrated commitment to ethics and integrity • Passion for safety, with the ...

Field Engineer - Electrical Construction

Irvine, CA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

El Portal, CA Responsibilities Field Engineering: • Assist in interpretation of drawings and ... first time • Demonstrated commitment to ethics and integrity • Passion for safety, with the ...

Showing results 41-60

1St Assistant Engineer information

See California salary details

$32.6K

$87.6K

$132.7K

How much do 1st assistant engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for 1st assistant engineer in California is $87,592.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $69,600.00 and $103,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between 1St Assistant Engineer vs 2nd Assistant Engineer?

Aspect1St Assistant Engineer2nd Assistant Engineer
Required CertificationsEngineering degree, relevant licensesEngineering degree, relevant licenses
Work EnvironmentSupervises technical staff, oversees operationsSupports senior engineers, handles routine tasks
Employer & Industry UsageMaritime, manufacturing, power plantsMaritime, manufacturing, power plants
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for responsibilities and career progression

The 1St Assistant Engineer typically holds more responsibilities, supervises technical staff, and oversees operations, whereas the 2nd Assistant Engineer supports senior engineers with routine tasks. Both roles require similar certifications and are common in maritime and industrial industries. The main difference lies in the level of responsibility and leadership within the engineering team.

What are the typical responsibilities of a 1st assistant engineer during a voyage, and how do they interact with other crew members?

As a 1st Assistant Engineer, your primary responsibilities during a voyage include supervising engine room operations, maintaining mechanical and electrical systems, and overseeing routine inspections and repairs. You will collaborate closely with the Chief Engineer to ensure the vessel's machinery runs smoothly and safely, and you’ll also direct and mentor junior engineering staff. Effective communication with deck officers and other departments is essential for coordinating maintenance schedules and responding to any technical issues that arise. This role is hands-on and requires adaptability, especially when addressing unexpected problems at sea.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a 1st assistant engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a 1st Assistant Engineer, you need a solid background in marine engineering, mechanical systems, and a valid STCW certification or equivalent maritime license. Familiarity with engine room management systems, auxiliary machinery, and preventive maintenance software is essential. Strong leadership, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are critical soft skills for managing engine room teams and responding to emergencies. These competencies ensure the safe, efficient operation of the ship’s machinery and compliance with international maritime regulations.

What is a 1st assistant engineer?

A 1st Assistant Engineer, also known as the First Assistant Engineer or First Assistant, is a licensed officer in the engine department on ships. They are responsible for overseeing the daily operation and maintenance of the ship’s engine room, machinery, and technical equipment. The 1st Assistant Engineer assists the Chief Engineer and supervises junior engineers and crew to ensure efficient and safe operations. Their tasks include monitoring engine performance, troubleshooting mechanical issues, and ensuring compliance with safety and environmental regulations.

What cities in California are hiring for 1St Assistant Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most 1St Assistant Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various 1St Assistant Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $87,592 per year, or $42.1 per hour.

Executive Assistant, Engineering Leadership

Atomic Machines

Santa Clara, CA

Full-time

Posted 15 days ago


Job description

Atomic Machines is ushering in a new era of micromanufacturing with its Matter Compiler technology platform. This platform enables new classes of micromachines to be designed and built by providing manufacturing processes and a materials library that are inaccessible to semiconductor manufacturing methods. It unlocks MEMS manufacturing not only for device classes that could never be produced by semiconductor methods, but also for entirely new categories. Furthermore, this digital platform is fully programmable in the way 3D printing is digital-but whereas 3D printing produces parts of a single material using a single process, the Matter Compiler technology platform is a multi-process, multi-material system: bits and raw materials go in, and complete, functional micromachines come out. The Atomic Machines team has also created an exciting first device-made possible only through the Matter Compiler technology platform-that we will be unveiling to the world soon.
 
Our offices are in Emeryville and Santa Clara, California.

About the role:
Atomic Machines is looking for a full-time Executive Assistant, Engineering Leadership to support our senior engineering leaders from our Santa Clara office, five days a week. You'll be the operational backbone behind our engineering executives - managing calendars, travel, meetings, expenses, and projects, freeing them to focus on their highest-impact work. This role requires someone who can operate fluently in a technical, engineering-driven environment and partner closely with Sr. Director-level and above engineering leadership. We're looking for someone proactive, trustworthy, and hyper-organized who thrives in a fast-moving startup environment. If that's you, we'd love to hear from you.

What you'll do:
As an Executive Assistant, you will serve as a trusted partner supporting senior engineering leaders by managing day-to-day operations and ensuring their time and priorities are aligned with the highest-impact work.

  • Proactively manage the schedules, priorities, and incoming requests of Sr. Director-level and above engineering leaders, exercising strong judgment to protect their time and focus.
  • Coordinate all calendar scheduling, travel arrangements, and related logistics.
  • Serve as a liaison between engineering leadership, internal teams, and external partners to ensure clear and timely communication.
  • Represent engineering leaders in meetings and communications, acting with professionalism, sound judgment, and a deep understanding of their priorities.
  • Draft, proofread, and send communications on behalf of engineering leaders, maintaining their voice and a high standard of professionalism.
  • Prepare and organize documents, presentations, and materials for engineering leadership meetings and key initiatives, including technical program reviews and cross-functional planning sessions.
  • Support engineering leaders on special projects, coordinating across engineering and other teams and tracking progress against deadlines.
  • Track, reconcile, and submit expense reports accurately and on time.
  • Plan and execute team offsites, engineering leadership events, and internal gatherings.
  • Greet and host guests, partners, and candidates, reflecting Atomic Machines' culture and professionalism.
  • Handle employee scheduling requests with a high degree of customer service, fostering a productive, inclusive, and engaging environment.
  • Handle sensitive and confidential information with the utmost discretion at all times.

What you'll need:

  • 5+ years of Executive Assistant experience with direct experience supporting Sr. Director-level and above engineering leadership. 
  • Demonstrated comfort operating in a technical/engineering organization - familiarity with engineering workflows, terminology, and cadences (e.g., program reviews, sprint planning, hardware/software development cycles) is a strong plus.
  • Polished presence and professional demeanor, you represent the engineering leadership team with care in every interaction, written or in-person.
  • Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail, you track the details without losing sight of the bigger picture.
  • Outstanding judgment and discretion, you handle sensitive information with the highest level of confidentiality.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Comfortable working cross-functionally and independently.
  • Calm and confident under pressure with the ability to manage shifting priorities and resolve conflicts proactively.
  • Resourceful problem-solver with a "no task too big or too small" mindset.
  • Natural relationship-builder who earns trust quickly with engineering executives, partners, and peers.
  • Comfortable working in fastpaced, hyper growth environments.
  • Proficient in Google Workspace and comfortable picking up new tools quickly.
  • Bachelor's degree required.