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Associate Engineer Jobs in Irvine, CA (NOW HIRING)

Assistant Engineer

South Gate, CA · On-site

$86K - $105K/yr

Incumbents are distinguished from the Associate Engineer in that the Assistant does not supervise staff. Supervision Received Works under the direct supervision of higher level professional ...

Assistant Engineer

South Gate, CA · On-site

$86K - $105K/yr

Incumbents are distinguished from the Associate Engineer in that the Assistant does not supervise staff. Supervision Received Works under the direct supervision of higher level professional ...

Associate DevOps Developer Company: The Boeing Company Boeing Defense, Space and Security (BDS) Space, Intelligence and Weapon Systems (SI&WS) Ground and Mission Systems Engineering (GMSE) is looking ...

Associate Developer I ( Temp- Hire) at Tevora Irvine, CA If you haven't heard of Tevora, it ... engineer on a real, production product. A day in the life could include: * Build, test, and ship ...

Associate Developer I

Irvine, CA · On-site

$45 - $58/hr

Associate Developer I ( Temp- Hire) at Tevora Irvine, CA If you haven't heard of Tevora, it ... engineer on a real, production product. A day in the life could include: * Build, test, and ship ...

Associate Developer I ( Temp- Hire) at Tevora Irvine, CA If you haven't heard of Tevora, it ... engineer on a real, production product. A day in the life could include: * Build, test, and ship ...

Showing results 41-60

Associate Engineer information

See Irvine, CA salary details

$44.5K

$88.7K

$141.7K

How much do associate engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate engineer in Irvine, CA is $88,701.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $70,300.00 and $102,000.00 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.

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

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

What are popular job titles related to Associate Engineer jobs in Irvine, CA?

For Associate Engineer jobs in Irvine, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Associate Engineer jobs in Irvine, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Associate Engineer jobs in Irvine, CA are:

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

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

Infographic showing various Associate Engineer job openings in Irvine, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 27% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $88,701 per year, or $42.6 per hour.

Associate or Mid-level Ground Systems Engineer for MILSATCOM Program

Boeing

Seal Beach, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 21 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Develop and verify ground system solutions through design trade studies, system integration, testing, and demonstration.

  • Support ground system development by analyzing requirements, designing interfaces, and ensuring system performance and customer satisfaction.

  • Participate in ground system verification, testing, and documentation of test plans, procedures, and reports.


Boeing rating

8.5

Company rating: 8.5 out of 10

Based on 617 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

33rd of 545 rated manufacturers


Job description

Associate or Mid-level Ground Systems Engineer for MILSATCOM Program

Company:

The Boeing Company

The Boeing Space & Mission Systems MILSATCOM Program is seeking an Associate or Mid-level Ground Systems Engineer to develop our nation's next generation of satellite ground systems in El Segundo, CA. This position is for Ground Systems Engineer who enjoys the opportunity to work on multiple phases of our ground system development programs. The successful candidate will be working on design trade studies, developing and integrate the cutting-edge Command & Control (C2) Software System in an agile environment.

We seek candidates who have skills in systems engineering or willing to learn and want to bring their skills to the next level through mentorship and hands-on development which include the analysis of system requirements and subsystem requirements, interface design documents, support ground systems architecture and design, system integration, system test, system verification, and demonstration to assure that the ground system satisfies the intent of the customer requirements. Additionally, the applicant will be trained in the use of Boeing and Ground processes and procedures.

We seek candidates with interest and skills in the following areas:

  • Ground system integration and test and formal qualification
  • Requirement decomposition and generation
  • Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills and works well in a team environment
  • Familiarity with the concept of requirement verification and test process

As a member of the MILSATCOM Program Team, you'll be involved in the ground system verification and test and support of the customer's delivery system. The team will develop, execute, and document test plans, procedures, and reports of the ground system and systems from single components to larger functional systems. The MILSATCOM Program Team offers a collaborative causal, but professional mentoring environment with long-term potential for career growth into technical and management positions.

Position Responsibilities:

  • Applies an interdisciplinary, collaborative approach to plan, design, develop and verify basic lifecycle balanced system of systems and system solutions
  • Evaluates customer/operational needs to define system performance requirements, integrate technical parameters and assure compatibility of all physical, functional and program interfaces
  • Performs analyses to optimize total system of systems and/or system architecture
  • Performs analyses for affordability, safety, reliability, maintainability, testability, human systems integration, survivability, vulnerability, susceptibility, system security, regulatory, certification, product assurance and other specialties quality factors into a preferred configuration to ensure mission success
  • Supports the planning, organization, implementation and monitoring of requirements management processes, tools, risk, issues, opportunity management and technology readiness assessment processes

This position is expected to be 100% onsite. The selected candidate will be required to workonsiteat one of the listed location options.

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills and Experience):

  • This position requires an active U.S. Secret Security Clearance (U.S. Citizenship Required). (A U.S. Security Clearance that has been active in the past 24 months is considered active).
  • Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited course of study in engineering, engineering technology (includes manufacturing engineering technology), chemistry, physics, mathematics, data science, or computer science.
  • 2 or more years' related work experience or an equivalent combination of technical education and experience.
  • Experience with system integration, testing, or troubleshooting.

Preferred Qualifications (Desired skills/Experience):

  • 5+ years of related work experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience
  • 1+ years of experience leading or managing an engineering project or team
  • Experience with Systems Design and Architecture
  • Experience creating and documenting test plans/procedures, executing tests, analyzing results, and/or creating test reports
  • Experience in Ground System systems engineering, including requirements analysis, design, and operation
  • Experience with development of Command and Control (C2), Mission Management, and Mission Planning software systems for Ground Systems
  • Experience in software coding, scripting, and troubleshooting
  • Experience with JIRA and Confluence
  • Experience working with Government customers
  • Experience in developing, generating, and executing the system test plans, procedures, and reports
  • Experience working in the team of systems engineers using scaled agile development process
  • Experience in system requirements generation, verification and system integration and test (I&T) at least 3 years
  • Strong Communication, Adaptability, Decision Making, Customer Focus, Integrated Systems, Engineering Analysis, and Requirements/Tracing skillset
  • Level 2: 2 or more years' related work experience or an equivalent combination of technical education and experience
  • Level 3: 5 or more years' related work experience or an equivalent combination of technical education and experience

Conflict of Interest:
Successful candidates for this job must satisfy the Company's Conflict of Interest (COI) assessment process.

Drug Free Workplace:

Boeing is a Drug Free Workplace where post offer applicants and employees are subject to testing for marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, PCP, and alcohol when criteriaismet as outlined in our policies.

Pay & Benefits:

At Boeing, we strive to deliver a Total Rewards package that will attract, engage and retain the top talent. Elements of the Total Rewards package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities.

The Boeing Company also provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, anda number ofprograms that provide for both paid and unpaid time away from work.

The specific programs and options available to any given employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.

Pay is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.

Summary Pay Range (Associate - Level 2): $98,600 - $133,400

Summary Pay Range (Mid-Level - Level 3): $119,850 - $162,150

Language Requirements:

Not Applicable

Education:

Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent

Relocation:

Relocation assistance is not a negotiable benefit for this position.

Export Control Requirement:

This position must meet U.S. export control compliance requirements. To meet U.S. export control compliance requirements, a "U.S. Person" as defined by 22 C.F.R. 120.62 is required. "U.S. Person" includes U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee.

Safety Sensitive:

This is not a Safety Sensitive Position.

Security Clearance:

This position requires an active U.S. Secret Security Clearance (U.S. Citizenship Required). (A U.S. Security Clearance that has been active in the past 24 months is considered active)

Visa Sponsorship:

Employer will not sponsor applicants for employment visa status.

Contingent Upon Award Program

This position is not contingent upon program award

Shift:

Shift 1 (United States of America)

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Boeing is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

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About Boeing

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At Boeing, we are all innovators on a mission to connect, protect, explore and inspire. From the sea bed to outer space, you'll learn and grow, contributing to work that shapes the world. Find your future with us.

Industry

Aviation and aerospace product and parts manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Chicago, IL, US