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Chemical Engineering Lab Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Mariana Minerals

Materials Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$100K - $140K/yr

Conduct lab-scale and pilot scale wet chemical synthetic experiments to validate proof-of-concept ... MS degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, Materials Engineering, or Chemical Engineering (PhD ...

New

System One

Product Development Lab Technician

Irvine, CA · On-site

$32 - $35/hr

Product Development Lab Technician Location : Irvine, CA Work Model : Onsite Hours : M-F 8am-5pm ... Degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Material Sciences and Engineering; Polymer Materials ...

System One

Product Development Lab Technician

Irvine, CA · On-site

$32 - $35/hr

Product Development Lab Technician Location : Irvine, CA Work Model : Onsite Hours : M-F 8am-5pm ... Degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Material Sciences and Engineering; Polymer Materials ...

System One

Product Development Lab Technician

Irvine, CA · On-site

$32 - $35/hr

Product Development Lab Technician Location : Irvine, CA Work Model : Onsite Hours : M-F 8am-5pm ... Degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Material Sciences and Engineering; Polymer Materials ...

System One

Product Development Lab Technician

Irvine, CA · On-site

$32 - $35/hr

Product Development Lab Technician Location : Irvine, CA Work Model : Onsite Hours : M-F 8am-5pm ... Degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Material Sciences and Engineering; Polymer Materials ...

System One

Product Development Lab Technician

Irvine, CA · On-site

$32 - $35/hr

Product Development Lab Technician Location : Irvine, CA Work Model : Onsite Hours : M-F 8am-5pm ... Degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Material Sciences and Engineering; Polymer Materials ...

System One

Product Development Lab Technician

Irvine, CA · On-site

$32 - $35/hr

Product Development Lab Technician Location : Irvine, CA Work Model : Onsite Hours : M-F 8am-5pm ... Degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Material Sciences and Engineering; Polymer Materials ...

Benchmark

Chemical Technician II

Concord, CA · On-site

$23.51 - $30/hr

Skills • Excellent knowledge of lab safety. • Strong analytical, observational, and time ... leading the way in engineering design and delivering world-class manufacturing services for ...

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Chemical Engineering Lab information

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How much do chemical engineering lab jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for chemical engineering lab in California is $20.84, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.27 and $22.79 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a chemical engineering lab?

A chemical engineering lab is a specialized facility where chemical engineering principles are applied to conduct experiments, research, and testing related to chemical processes and materials. These labs are equipped with instruments and apparatus used to study reactions, analyze substances, and develop new materials or processes. Chemical engineering labs are vital for advancing knowledge in the field, improving industrial processes, and ensuring safety and efficiency in chemical production. Students, researchers, and professionals use these labs to gain hands-on experience and validate theoretical concepts.

What is the difference between Chemical Engineering Lab vs Chemical Process Engineer?

AspectChemical Engineering LabChemical Process Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's degree in chemical engineering or related fieldBachelor's or master's degree in chemical engineering
Work EnvironmentLaboratory setting, testing and experimentationIndustrial plant or manufacturing facility, process design and optimization
Industry UsageResearch institutions, labs, academiaChemical manufacturing, oil & gas, pharmaceuticals
Common Search IntentEntry-level lab roles, testing proceduresProcess design, plant operation, optimization

The main difference is that Chemical Engineering Labs focus on testing, experimentation, and research within a lab environment, often involving testing new materials or processes. Chemical Process Engineers work in industrial settings, applying engineering principles to design, operate, and optimize chemical production processes. Both roles require a chemical engineering background but serve different stages of the product development and manufacturing lifecycle.

What are some common challenges faced when working in a chemical engineering lab, and how can new team members effectively navigate them?

Working in a Chemical Engineering Lab often involves handling complex experiments, maintaining strict safety protocols, and troubleshooting unexpected results. New team members might find it challenging to quickly learn specialized equipment and adapt to the fast-paced, detail-oriented environment. To succeed, it’s important to actively communicate with colleagues, seek guidance when needed, and maintain meticulous records of procedures and results. Collaborating closely with both engineers and technicians can also help accelerate your learning and integration into the team.

Can chemical engineering labs work in a lab?

Chemical engineering labs are designed for conducting experiments, testing materials, and analyzing chemical processes, so professionals in this field typically work in laboratory environments. They often use specialized equipment, follow safety protocols, and may need certifications such as OSHA training. Laboratory work is a core aspect of chemical engineering roles, supporting research, development, and process optimization.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a chemical engineering lab technician, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Chemical Engineering Lab Technician, you need a solid background in chemistry, lab safety, and analytical techniques, often supported by a degree or diploma in chemical engineering or a related field. Familiarity with laboratory instrumentation, data analysis software, and adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs) are typically required. Strong attention to detail, problem-solving ability, and effective communication skills help ensure accuracy and foster collaboration within the team. These skills and qualities are crucial for maintaining safe lab environments, producing reliable results, and supporting research and development in chemical engineering.
What are popular job titles related to Chemical Engineering Lab jobs in California? For Chemical Engineering Lab jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Chemical Engineering Lab jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Chemical Engineering Lab jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Chemical Engineering Lab jobs? Cities in California with the most Chemical Engineering Lab job openings:
Chemical Engineering Lab jobs near you
Infographic showing various Chemical Engineering Lab job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 79% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $43,337 per year, or $20.8 per hour.

R&D Materials Engineer Intern

Neuralink

South San Francisco, CA

$35/hr

Internship

Posted 23 days ago

Job description

Team Description:

The Next Gen team at Neuralink is developing the next generation of brain-computer interfaces. We are laying the groundwork for intuitive, high-dimensional, and bidirectional interfaces between brains and machines, with the goal of helping people challenged by a variety of neurological disorders and conditions. Our team consists of scientists and engineers, working closely together to define the engineering requirements for these future products. 

Join Neuralink's Next-Gen team to help push the boundaries of what's possible in brain-computer interfaces.

Job Description and Responsibilities:

As an R&D Materials Engineer intern, you'll interact with technical teams across the company to develop new ideas, materials, and processes that drive our next generation of implants forward. You'll work closely with scientists and engineers to explore innovative concepts, perform rigorous benchtop testing, troubleshoot experimental setups, and analyze results. Successful candidates will be highly adaptable, able to deploy their core technical and creative skills to tackle a wide range of problems, and have a keen sense of urgency. You must thrive in an intense, mission-driven, and collaborative environment. Additionally, you will:

  • Contribute to the development of next-generation microelectrode materials, partnering with the microfabrication team to bring concepts from idea to hardware
  • Develop novel solutions for electrode-tissue interfaces to enhance electrode sensitivity and interface longevity
  • Perform materials characterization and surface chemistry experiments on candidate materials and implant components
  • Design and fabricate custom test fixtures to enable new experiments
  • Execute on established protocols and independently design new experiments as the project demands
  • Troubleshoot, iterate, and communicate findings clearly to the team

Required Qualifications:

  • Evidence of exceptional ability in Materials Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry, or a related field
  • 2+ years of academic or industry experience
  • Strong understanding of the scientific method and engineering first principles
  • Strong organizational skills and exceptional attention to detail
  • Experience with chemical handling and safe lab practices
  • Outstanding communication skills; thrives in an interdisciplinary environment

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Proficiency in SolidWorks or other CAD software
  • Familiarity and experience with surface characterization techniques (e.g., contact angle, FTIR, XPS, AFM)
  • Experience with microscopy
  • Experience with electrochemistry

Expected Compensation:

The anticipated hourly rate for this position is listed below.

California Hourly Flat Rate:
$35/Hr USD

Apply