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Associate Platform Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Platform Engineer

Palo Alto, CA ยท On-site

$94K - $156K/yr

Intuitive Machines - West is seeking a Platform Engineer focused on AWS infrastructure, Kubernetes ... AWS Solutions Architect Associate or similar AWS certification * Kubernetes certifications: CKA ...

Data Platform Engineer

La Mirada, CA ยท On-site

$115K - $138K/yr

Azure Data Engineer Associate Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate Microsoft Certified: Fabric Analytics Engineer Associate Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect ...

Data Platform Engineer

La Mirada, CA ยท On-site

$115K - $138K/yr

Position Summary The Data Platform Engineer is responsible for designing, supporting, and ... Azure Data Engineer Associate โ€ข Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate โ€ข ...

Senior Platform Engineer

Irvine, CA

$112K - $154K/yr

We believe that belonging leads to better outcomes and a stronger community of associates united by ... Your work will power the automation, tooling, and platform capabilities that thousands of engineers ...

Sr. Platform Engineer

San Diego, CA

$110K - $152K/yr

The Marlin Alliance, Inc. is seeking a Sr. Platform Engineer in San Diego, CA. The successful ... Associate II $110,000 - $180,000 Disclaimer: This in no way states or implies that these are the ...

Sr. Platform Engineer

San Diego, CA ยท On-site

$112K - $154K/yr

The Marlin Alliance, Inc. is seeking a Sr. Platform Engineer in San Diego, CA. The successful ... Associate II $110,000 - $180,000 Disclaimer: This in no way states or implies that these are the ...

Sr. Platform Engineer

San Diego, CA

$112K - $154K/yr

The Marlin Alliance, Inc. is seeking a Sr. Platform Engineer in San Diego, CA. The successful ... Associate II $110,000 - $180,000 Disclaimer: This in no way states or implies that these are the ...

Engineer I

Dublin, CA ยท On-site

$99K - $163K/yr

The candidate will develop solutions on the MDM platform, participate in system/design/code reviews ... associates, while working with the integration, architecture, and business teams to deliver MDM ...

Engineer I

Dublin, CA ยท On-site

$99K - $163K/yr

The candidate will develop solutions on the MDM platform, participate in system/design/code reviews ... associates, while working with the integration, architecture, and business teams to deliver MDM ...

Engineer I

Dublin, CA ยท On-site

$99K - $163K/yr

The candidate will develop solutions on the MDM platform, participate in system/design/code reviews ... associates, while working with the integration, architecture, and business teams to deliver MDM ...

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Associate Platform Engineer information

See California salary details

$41K

$81.6K

$130.3K

How much do associate platform engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate platform engineer in California is $81,554.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $64,600.00 and $93,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by associate platform engineers during their first year, and how can they overcome them?

Associate Platform Engineers often encounter challenges such as adapting to complex infrastructure, learning new tools and technologies, and understanding existing deployment pipelines. It can also be a steep learning curve to balance maintaining platform stability while contributing to enhancements. To overcome these challenges, new engineers should actively seek mentorship from senior team members, participate in code reviews, and regularly communicate with both development and operations teams to gain a holistic understanding of the platform environment.

What does an associate platform engineer do?

An Associate Platform Engineer is responsible for supporting the development, maintenance, and optimization of the underlying systems and infrastructure that enable software applications to run efficiently. They typically work with cloud platforms, automation tools, and monitoring systems to ensure stability, scalability, and performance. This entry-level role often involves collaborating with senior engineers, writing scripts, managing deployments, and troubleshooting technical issues. Associate Platform Engineers help ensure that development and operations teams have the tools and environments necessary to deliver high-quality products.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an associate platform engineer?

To thrive as an Associate Platform Engineer, you need a solid understanding of computer science fundamentals, scripting or programming skills (such as Python or Bash), and a relevant degree or equivalent experience. Familiarity with cloud platforms (like AWS or Azure), containerization tools (such as Docker or Kubernetes), and CI/CD systems is typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, collaboration, and effective communication help you stand out in this role. These skills and qualities are crucial for building reliable infrastructure and supporting seamless software deployment in dynamic tech environments.

What is the difference between Associate Platform Engineer vs Software Engineer?

AspectAssociate Platform EngineerSoftware Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in CS or related field, certifications like AWS or Azure are commonBachelor's in CS or related field, certifications optional
Work EnvironmentFocus on cloud infrastructure, deployment, and automationDevelops applications, algorithms, and software solutions
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, cloud service providers, startupsWide range of industries including tech, finance, healthcare

The Associate Platform Engineer primarily works on cloud infrastructure, deployment, and automation tasks, supporting platform stability. In contrast, Software Engineers focus on developing software applications and features. Both roles require a strong technical background, but their daily responsibilities and focus areas differ significantly.

What are the most commonly searched types of Platform Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of Platform Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Associate Platform Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Associate Platform Engineer job openings:

Platform Engineer

Lanteris Space Systems

Palo Alto, CA โ€ข On-site

$94K - $156K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 5 days ago


Job description

Please review the job details below.
Intuitive Machines - West (formerly Lanteris Space Systems) unlocks the promise of space to help governments and businesses solve problems on Earth and beyond. As a leading provider of comprehensive space technologies, we deliver innovative solutions across mission systems engineering, product design, spacecraft manufacturing, assembly, integration, and testing.
With more than 60 years of mission expertise, we are a trusted partner in commercial and government missions, known for reliable performance and longevity. Our values drive us to collaborate on missions, ensure quality, unleash innovation, and let our people shine.
Intuitive Machines - West is seeking a Platform Engineer focused on AWS infrastructure, Kubernetes operations, and GitOps workflows. This role can be based in Palo Alto, CA, or can also be based remotely in the US. You will be responsible for building and maintaining cloud-native infrastructure that enables engineering teams to deploy and operate applications efficiently across AWS GovCloud environments.
This role focuses on Kubernetes cluster operations, networking architecture, GitOps automation, AWS infrastructure patterns, and AI-enhanced platform automation. You'll work with container orchestration, service mesh, zero-trust networking, and CI/CD pipelines to provide reliable, secure infrastructure for mission-critical aerospace applications. You'll also leverage AI agent orchestration to build intelligent automation that enhances platform operations and developer productivity.
This is a platform engineering role focused on infrastructure enablement, not traditional DevOps. You'll build self-service infrastructure capabilities that empower engineering teams while maintaining security, compliance, and operational excellence.
Principal Responsibilities
  • Kubernetes Cluster Management & Operations
  • GitOps & Infrastructure Automation
  • AWS Infrastructure & Networking
  • AI Agent Orchestration & Platform Intelligence
  • Platform Observability
  • Compliance & Security
  • Developer Enablement

Minimum Requirements
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related discipline
  • Minimum of 2 years of relevant industry experience in platform engineering, SRE, or cloud infrastructure
  • 1 year of production Kubernetes experience
  • AWS experience
  • GitOps experience
  • CI/CD experience
  • Networking fundamentals
  • Python for automation, tooling, and infrastructure scripting

Preferred Qualifications
  • Tooling experience- Crossplane, Cilium CNI, KubeVirt, Packer, Harbor, Tetragon
  • AI/ML Platform Experience
  • SPIFFE/SPIRE for workload identity
  • Keycloak for identity and access management
  • ArgoCD expertise: ApplicationSets, sync policies, multi-environment workflows
  • AWS Solutions Architect Associate or similar AWS certification
  • Kubernetes certifications: CKA (Certified Kubernetes Administrator) or CKAD
  • CMMC or FedRAMP compliance experience in production environments
  • Experience with hybrid cloud or on-premises Kubernetes (KubeEdge, K3s)
  • Experience with air-gapped environments and disconnected operations
  • Linux system administration and kernel tuning experience
  • Background in aerospace, defense, or government contracting
  • Experience with satellite ground systems or mission operations

In support of pay transparency at Lanteris Space Systems, we disclose salary ranges on all U.S. job postings. The successful candidate's starting pay will fall within the salary range provided below and is determined based on job-related factors, including, but not limited to, the experience, qualifications, knowledge, skills, geographic work location, and market conditions. Candidates with the minimum necessary experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skillsets for the position should not expect to receive the upper end of the pay range.
โ€ข The base pay for this position within Colorado is: $82,000.00 - $136,000.00 annually.โ€ข The base pay for this position within New Jersey is: $82,000.00 - $136,000.00 annually.โ€ข The base pay for this position within Delaware is: $82,000.00 - $136,000.00 annually.โ€ข The base pay for this position within the Washington, DC metropolitan area is: $90,000.00 - $150,000.00 annually.โ€ข The base pay for this position within California is: $94,000.00 - $156,000.00 annually.
For all other states, we use geographic cost of labor as an input to develop market-driven ranges for our roles, and as such, each location where we hire may have a different range.
We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, health and welfare insurance, and 401(k) to eligible employees. More information on our benefits will be shared with candidates as they move forward in the recruitment process.
The application window is three days from the date the job is posted and will remain posted until a qualified candidate has been identified for hire. If the job is reposted regardless of reason, it will remain posted three days from the date the job is reposted and will remain reposted until a qualified candidate has been identified for hire.
The date of posting can be found on the Lanteris Space Systems Career page at the top of each job posting.
To apply, submit your application via the Lanteris Space Systems Career page.
Lanteris Space Systems values diversity in the workplace and is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.