1

Automation Engineering Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

AI Automation Engineering Intern

San Jose, CA

$19.75 - $25.50/hr

About the Role We are looking for a motivated and technically curious intern to join our Silicon Test Engineering team. In this role, you will leverage AI and modern automation tools to build ...

Regional Automation Engineer

Patterson, CA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Reliability & Maintenance Engineering (RME) team are the business partners that work tirelessly ... As the Regional Automation Engineer, you will engage on all aspects of high-level support for the ...

Automation Engineer - Sr Level

Glendale, CA · On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

This role involves the application of advanced automation engineering principles in the design, specification, construction, startup, and validation of process equipment and systems for capital ...

AI Automation Engineering Intern

San Jose, CA · On-site

$19.75 - $25.50/hr

About the Role We are looking for a motivated and technically curious intern to join our Silicon Test Engineering team. In this role, you will leverage AI and modern automation tools to build ...

Senior Automation Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$110K - $144K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Reliability & Maintenance Engineering (RME) team are the business partners that work tirelessly ... About the Role: As a Senior Automation Engineer, you will play a crucial role in maximizing ...

Senior Automation Engineer

Moreno Valley, CA · On-site

$108K - $142K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Reliability & Maintenance Engineering (RME) team are the business partners that work tirelessly ... About the Role: As a Senior Automation Engineer, you will play a crucial role in maximizing ...

Senior Automation Engineer

Tracy, CA · On-site

$112K - $146K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Reliability & Maintenance Engineering (RME) team are the business partners that work tirelessly ... About the Role: As a Senior Automation Engineer, you will play a crucial role in maximizing ...

Senior Automation Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$110K - $144K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Reliability & Maintenance Engineering (RME) team are the business partners that work tirelessly ... About the Role: As a Senior Automation Engineer, you will play a crucial role in maximizing ...

Senior Automation Engineer

Tracy, CA · On-site

$112K - $146K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Reliability & Maintenance Engineering (RME) team are the business partners that work tirelessly ... About the Role: As a Senior Automation Engineer, you will play a crucial role in maximizing ...

Senior Automation Engineer

Tracy, CA · On-site

$112K - $146K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Reliability & Maintenance Engineering (RME) team are the business partners that work tirelessly ... About the Role: As a Senior Automation Engineer, you will play a crucial role in maximizing ...

Sr. Manager, Automation Engineer

Vista, CA · On-site

$107K - $141K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

A brief overview The Sr. Manager, Automation Engineering leads the automation engineering function supporting manufacturing, utilities, facilities, and capital projects within a regulated ...

Sr. Manager, Automation Engineer

Vista, CA · On-site

$107K - $141K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

A brief overview The Sr. Manager, Automation Engineering leads the automation engineering function supporting manufacturing, utilities, facilities, and capital projects within a regulated ...

Lead MFG Automation Engineer

Lodi, CA · On-site

$127K - $175K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

This position reports to the Sr. Manager, MFG Automation Engineering and is part of the MFG Automation Engineering department located in Lodi, CA, and will be an on-site role. In this role, you will ...

New

Lead MFG Automation Engineer

Lodi, CA · On-site

$127K - $175K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

This position reports to the Sr. Manager, MFG Automation Engineering and is part of the MFG Automation Engineering department located in Lodi, CA, and will be an on-site role. In this role, you will ...

Lead MFG Automation Engineer

Lodi, CA · On-site

$127K - $175K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

This position reports to the Sr. Manager, MFG Automation Engineering and is part of the MFG Automation Engineering department located in Lodi, CA, and will be an on-site role. In this role, you will ...

Automation Engineer

Perris, CA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Reliability & Maintenance Engineering (RME) team are the business partners that work tirelessly ... As an Automation Engineer, you will play a crucial role in maximizing equipment reliability and ...

Showing results 21-40

Automation Engineering information

See California salary details

$36.5K

$105.7K

$160.9K

How much do automation engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for automation engineering in California is $105,723.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $85,400.00 and $121,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is automation engineering?

Automation engineering is a field that focuses on designing, developing, and implementing systems and technologies to automate processes in manufacturing, production, and other industries. Automation engineers work with hardware, software, and control systems to increase efficiency, safety, and reliability while reducing human intervention. Their work often involves programming, troubleshooting, and optimizing automated equipment and processes.

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

To thrive as an Automation Engineer, you need a strong background in engineering principles, programming, and process control, typically supported by a degree in electrical, mechanical, or automation engineering. Familiarity with PLCs, SCADA systems, robotics, and certifications like ISA or Siemens are commonly required technical proficiencies. Problem-solving, attention to detail, and effective collaboration are vital soft skills that set outstanding automation engineers apart. These skills and qualifications are essential to design, implement, and maintain efficient automated systems that improve productivity and ensure operational reliability.

What are some common challenges faced by automation engineers when implementing new systems, and how can they be addressed?

Automation engineers often encounter challenges such as integrating new automation solutions with legacy equipment, ensuring system reliability, and managing project timelines. Effective communication with cross-functional teams—including IT, production, and maintenance—is crucial to address compatibility issues and minimize downtime. Staying proactive with documentation, thorough testing, and continuous learning helps overcome these obstacles and ensures smooth implementation of automation projects.

What is the difference between Automation Engineering vs Electrical Engineering?

AspectAutomation EngineeringElectrical Engineering
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Automation, Control Systems, or related fields; certifications like Certified Automation Professional (CAP)Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering; Professional Engineer (PE) license often preferred
Work EnvironmentManufacturing plants, industrial facilities, automation system designPower plants, electrical systems, electronics labs, infrastructure projects
Industry UsageAutomation, manufacturing, process controlPower generation, electronics, telecommunications
Common Search/ComparisonAutomation Engineering vs Electrical Engineering

Automation Engineering focuses on designing and implementing automated systems and control processes in manufacturing and industrial settings. Electrical Engineering covers a broader range of electrical systems, power distribution, and electronics. While both roles require technical knowledge, Automation Engineers specialize in control systems, sensors, and automation software, whereas Electrical Engineers work more with electrical circuits, power systems, and electronics design.

What does an automation engineer do?

An automation engineer designs, develops, and maintains systems that automate manufacturing processes, software testing, or other repetitive tasks. They use tools like PLCs, robotics, and scripting languages to improve efficiency and reduce manual effort, often working with cross-disciplinary teams and requiring knowledge of control systems and programming. Their work helps optimize production, quality, and safety in various industries.

What are the most commonly searched types of Automation Engineering jobs in California?

The most popular types of Automation Engineering jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Automation Engineering jobs?

Cities in California with the most Automation Engineering job openings:

Infographic showing various Automation Engineering job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $105,723 per year, or $50.8 per hour.

AI Automation Engineering Intern

Advantest

San Jose, CA

$19.75 - $25.50/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 23 days ago


Job description

About the Role

We are looking for a motivated and technically curious intern to join our Silicon Test Engineering team. In this role, you will leverage AI and modern automation tools to build intelligent workflows that accelerate the development, validation, and production testing of next-generation AI chips. This is a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of AI-driven software automation and cutting-edge silicon hardware.

What You Will Do

  • Design, develop, and deploy AI-powered automation workflows to streamline silicon test processes, from loadboard bring-up through high-volume production.
  • Use large language models (LLMs) and AI coding assistants to rapidly prototype scripts, data pipelines, and analysis tools that support test program development.
  • Automate repetitive engineering tasks such as test data extraction, result parsing, yield analysis, and report generation using AI-augmented toolchains.
  • Collaborate with test, design, and product engineers to identify manual bottlenecks and implement intelligent automation solutions.
  • Build and maintain dashboards or internal tools that provide real-time visibility into test metrics, yield trends, and program health.
  • Evaluate and integrate emerging AI tools and APIs into existing engineering workflows to improve team productivity.
  • Document processes, automation recipes, and best practices to enable team-wide adoption.

Why This Role Matters

AI chips are pushing the boundaries of performance and complexity, and the engineering workflows that bring them to life must evolve just as fast. By embedding AI-driven automation directly into our test and validation pipeline, you will help reduce time-to-market, improve yield, and enable the team to focus on high-value engineering challenges instead of repetitive manual tasks. Your work will have a tangible impact on products that power the future of artificial intelligence.

What You Will Gain

  • Hands-on experience applying AI to real-world semiconductor engineering problems.
  • Deep exposure to the full silicon lifecycle - from design validation through high-volume manufacturing.
  • Mentorship from experienced test and product engineers at the forefront of AI chip development.
  • A portfolio of automation projects you can showcase to future employers.
  • The opportunity to shape how a world-class engineering team integrates AI into daily operations.

What We Are Looking For

  • Currently pursuing a B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
  • Strong programming skills in Python; familiarity with scripting, data manipulation (Pandas, NumPy), and API integration.
  • Demonstrated interest in or hands-on experience with AI/ML tools, LLMs, prompt engineering, or AI-assisted development (e.g., Claude, ChatGPT, Copilot).
  • Exposure to any of the following is a plus: semiconductor test (ATE), silicon validation, test program development, or hardware debug.
  • Ability to learn quickly, work independently, and communicate technical concepts clearly to cross-functional teams.
  • A builder's mindset - you see a manual process and immediately think about how to automate it.
  • Ability to work onsite at our San Jose, CA location five days per week. Relocation assistance is not provided to interns at this time.