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Associate Engineer Jobs in Castro Valley, CA (NOW HIRING)

Exelixis

Associate Engineer - AI and Agentic

Alameda, CA · On-site

$103K - $145K/yr

SUMMARY/JOB PURPOSE The Associate Engineer - AI and Agentics is responsible for building foundational AI-enabled applications, prototypes, prompts, tests, documentation, and agentic automations while ...

Exelixis

Associate Engineer - AI and Agentic

Alameda, CA · On-site

$103K - $145K/yr

SUMMARY/JOB PURPOSE The Associate Engineer - AI and Agentics is responsible for building foundational AI-enabled applications, prototypes, prompts, tests, documentation, and agentic automations while ...

Exelixis

Associate Engineer - AI and Agentic

Alameda, CA

$103K - $145K/yr

SUMMARY/JOB PURPOSE The Associate Engineer - AI and Agentics is responsible for building foundational AI-enabled applications, prototypes, prompts, tests, documentation, and agentic automations while ...

Terranova Corporation

Drop Out Engineer

Berkeley, CA · On-site

Drop out and join us as an Associate Engineer for 6 months. You build real hardware that ships to the field from day one. After 6 months, we bump you to the exact salary we'd have paid you as a full ...

PsiQuantum

Associate Process Engineer

Milpitas, CA · On-site

The Associate Process Engineer will be responsible for assisting in the module assembly processes and maintenance of typical back-end semiconductor packaging equipment and supporting Process ...

PsiQuantum

Associate Process Engineer

Milpitas, CA · On-site

The Associate Process Engineer will be responsible for assisting in the module assembly processes and maintenance of typical back-end semiconductor packaging equipment and supporting Process ...

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Showing results 41-60

All JobsAssociate Engineer JobsAssociate Engineer Jobs in Castro Valley, CA

Associate Engineer information

See Castro Valley, CA salary details

$47.9K

$95.4K

$152.3K

How much do associate engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate engineer in Castro Valley, CA is $95,356.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $75,600.00 and $109,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an associate engineer?

Associate Engineers are entry-level engineering professionals who support more experienced engineers in designing, developing, testing, and maintaining various projects in their field. They typically work under supervision and assist with tasks such as drafting technical documents, conducting research, analyzing data, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. Associate Engineers often gain practical experience and training to advance to higher-level engineering roles as they develop their skills.

What are some typical challenges associate engineers face when transitioning from academic projects to industry roles?

Associate Engineers often find the transition from academic projects to industry roles challenging due to differences in project scope, teamwork dynamics, and pace. In industry, you’ll likely work on larger, multi-disciplinary teams where effective communication and collaboration are crucial. Additionally, projects often have stricter deadlines and require adherence to established processes and standards, which may be less emphasized in academic settings. Embracing continuous learning and seeking mentorship from senior engineers can help ease this transition and set you up for success.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an associate engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Associate Engineer, you need a solid grasp of engineering principles, problem-solving abilities, and a relevant bachelor's degree. Familiarity with CAD software, industry-specific tools, and basic project management systems is typically required. Strong teamwork, attention to detail, and effective communication set standout candidates apart. These skills and qualities are crucial for delivering accurate technical solutions and contributing effectively to engineering projects.

What is the difference between Associate Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectAssociate EngineerMechanical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in engineering or related field; entry-level certificationsBachelor's degree in mechanical engineering; professional licensure (optional)
Work EnvironmentDesign, testing, and support roles in engineering teams; often in office or lab settingsDesign, analysis, and manufacturing in industrial or construction settings
Employer & Industry UsageEntry-level position across various industries like manufacturing, construction, and techDesign and development roles primarily in manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, and energy sectors

The main difference between an Associate Engineer and a Mechanical Engineer lies in experience and responsibilities. Associate Engineers are typically entry-level, focusing on supporting engineering tasks, while Mechanical Engineers have more experience and handle complex design and analysis responsibilities. Both roles require a bachelor's degree, but Mechanical Engineers often pursue licensure for advanced roles. The choice depends on your experience level and career goals within engineering fields.

How much does an associate engineer get paid?

An associate engineer's average salary typically ranges from $60,000 to $80,000 annually, depending on industry, location, and experience. Entry-level positions may start lower, while those with specialized skills or certifications can earn higher wages. Salaries often increase with experience and additional responsibilities.

What can I do with an associate engineer's degree in engineering?

An associate engineer's degree prepares individuals for entry-level engineering roles such as technician, assistant engineer, or project support staff. These positions often involve tasks like drafting, testing, data analysis, and using tools like CAD software, with opportunities for on-the-job training and certification to advance in engineering fields.

What is the salary of an associate engineer?

The salary of an associate engineer typically ranges from $60,000 to $80,000 annually, depending on factors such as industry, location, and experience. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced associates or those with specialized skills can earn higher wages.
More about Associate Engineer jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Engineer jobs in Castro Valley, CA?

The most popular types of Engineer jobs in Castro Valley, CA are:

What cities near Castro Valley, CA are hiring for Associate Engineer jobs?

Cities near Castro Valley, CA with the most Associate Engineer job openings:

Associate Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Associate Engineer job openings in Castro Valley, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $95,356 per year, or $45.8 per hour.

Associate Engineer - Firmware

Vector Atomic

Pleasanton, CA

$107K - $140K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 8 days ago

Job description

Location: This role is based onsite at our office in Pleasanton, CA.
Travel: Up to 5%, domestic or international.

The Role: 

We're looking for exceptional early-career engineers to grow with us. As an Associate Firmware Engineer, you'll work alongside world-class physicists and hardware engineers to build embedded software for next-generation quantum sensing instruments. This is a hands-on, high-impact role where your code directly enables precision measurement at the frontier of quantum technology.

If you've just completed a degree from a top engineering program and want to do work that matters, not CRUD apps, but real-time control systems running inside instruments that measure the universe,  this is your role.

Responsibilities:

  • Write and verify embedded firmware for ST microcontrollers, including COTS devices and MCUs integrated into custom ASICs
  • Implement control algorithms critical to the operation of high-precision quantum sensing instruments
  • Develop peripheral drivers for mixed-signal devices, working directly from electronic schematics
  • Partner with hardware engineers on board testing and bring-up activities
  • Contribute to a rigorous engineering culture through code reviews, GitHub task tickets, and retrospectives
  • Clearly document and communicate your work in a highly collaborative, cross-disciplinary environment

Requirements

Requirements:

  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science from an accredited program, we're targeting graduates from highly rated programs with strong fundamentals
  • Demonstrated ability to write production-quality C/C++ for small embedded processors
  • Experience writing interrupt service routines, peripheral drivers, and multi-threaded firmware using RTOSs and/or bare-metal environments
  • Scripting experience in Python, Perl, or similar languages
  • Hands-on experience with lab test equipment (oscilloscopes, function generators, voltmeters)
  • Strong debugging instincts, able to isolate and resolve bugs using debuggers and simulation tools
  • Comfort working in a laboratory setting
  • To comply with the US export control laws, Vector Atomic employees must be U.S. citizens (born or naturalized), lawful U.S. permanent residents (i.e. green card holders), and certain categories of refugees, and asylees.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience designing PID or other control algorithms
  • Familiarity with fixed-point arithmetic and digital filter design
  • Experience with communication protocols: TCP, UDP, UART, SPI, I2C, or similar
  • Assembly language programming for embedded targets
  • Experience with lightweight Ethernet stacks (e.g., lwIP)
  • Background with SoC or FPGA devices

Benefits

Vector Atomic values teamwork, open and honest discourse, and work-life balance. We offer competitive compensation and benefits including:

  • Platinum-level family health coverage (medical, dental, vision)
  • Health and dependent care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
  • Employer 401(k) contributions
  • 20 days of paid time off / 11 paid holidays
  • Paid parental leave
  • Fully stocked kitchen

Pay Range
The approximate base salary range for this position is $107,458 to $140,690 per year. The total compensation package includes base, bonus, equity and benefits. It's atypical to be hired at the top end of this range for the role, as actual pay is based on several factors, including job-related knowledge, skills, and experience level.

Vector Atomic is an equal opportunity employer and we welcome applications from all backgrounds regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability, or any other classification protected by law.

Vector Atomic does not accept unsolicited resumes from individual recruiters or third-party recruiting agencies in response to job postings. No fee will be paid to third parties who submit unsolicited candidates directly to our hiring managers or HR team.

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