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Chief Electrical Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Stratolaunch

Electrical Engineer

Mojave, CA · On-site

Support aircraft electrical technology development including developing the requirements ... Regular and comprehensive communication to the Avionics Chief Engineer on a weekly and monthly ...

Stratolaunch

Electrical Engineer

Mojave, CA

Support electrical design, including working with existing systems and making modifications, as ... Regular and comprehensive communication to the Avionics Chief Engineer on a weekly and monthly ...

Ephemeris Net

Electrical Engineer II

Oakland, CA · On-site

This role will report to the CTO and co-founder, Nicolas Brown. Key responsibilities The following are responsibilities across our electrical engineering team. You will own a subset of these based on ...

Pow.bio

Principal Electrical Engineer

Torrance, CA · On-site

$180 - $250/hr

What you will be doing As a Principal Electrical Engineer at Neros, you are the chief technical authority and visionary for our electrical systems. Your primary focus will be on high-level ...

Ephemeris Net

Senior Electrical Engineer

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$114K - $149K/yr

This role will report to the CTO and co-founder, Nicolas Brown. Key responsibilities The following are responsibilities across our electrical engineering team. You will own a subset of these based on ...

Ephemeris Net

Staff Electrical Engineer

El Segundo, CA · On-site

This role will report to the CTO and co-founder, Nicolas Brown. Key responsibilities The following are responsibilities across our electrical engineering team. You will own a subset of these based on ...

Icarus

Senior Electrical Engineer

El Segundo, CA

$120K - $220K/yr

Own electrical subsystems from concept to flight * Build, bring up, debug, and iterate fast ... You will work side by side with the CEO and a small team of world-class builders. You will own your ...

Icarus

Senior Electrical Engineer

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$120K - $220K/yr

Own electrical subsystems from concept to flight * Build, bring up, debug, and iterate fast ... You will work side by side with the CEO and a small team of world-class builders. You will own your ...

Icarus

Senior Electrical Engineer

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$120K - $220K/yr

Own electrical subsystems from concept to flight * Build, bring up, debug, and iterate fast ... You will work side by side with the CEO and a small team of world-class builders. You will own your ...

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsChief Electrical Engineer JobsChief Electrical Engineer Jobs in California

Chief Electrical Engineer information

See California salary details

$32.1K

$91.7K

$178.6K

How much do chief electrical engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average yearly pay for chief electrical engineer in California is $91,728.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $58,200.00 and $118,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the typical team dynamics and leadership responsibilities for a chief electrical engineer?

As a Chief Electrical Engineer, you will often lead a multidisciplinary engineering team, coordinating projects from concept through completion. This role involves mentoring junior engineers, setting technical standards, and ensuring quality control across all electrical design and implementation phases. You’ll regularly collaborate with project managers, architects, and other engineering leads to ensure projects meet regulatory requirements and client expectations. Strong communication and leadership skills are essential, as you’ll facilitate cross-departmental meetings and resolve technical challenges to keep projects on track.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a chief electrical engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Chief Electrical Engineer, you need an advanced understanding of electrical engineering principles, leadership experience, and a bachelor's or master's degree in electrical engineering (often with a Professional Engineer license). Expertise with design and simulation software like AutoCAD, MATLAB, and industry standards such as IEEE is commonly required. Strong project management, communication, and decision-making skills distinguish top performers in this role. These skills are crucial to ensure technical excellence, effective team leadership, and successful project delivery in complex engineering environments.

What is the difference between Chief Electrical Engineer vs Electrical Engineer?

AspectChief Electrical EngineerElectrical Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, often with professional licensure or certificationsBachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field
Work EnvironmentOversees large projects, manages teams, and coordinates with stakeholdersDesigns, develops, and tests electrical systems, often working under senior engineers
Industry UsageUsed in large-scale projects like power plants, industrial facilities, and infrastructureCommon in manufacturing, construction, and product development sectors

The main difference is that the Chief Electrical Engineer holds a leadership role overseeing entire projects and teams, while the Electrical Engineer focuses on designing and implementing electrical systems. The Chief Electrical Engineer typically has more experience, certifications, and responsibilities in project management.

Chief Electrical Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Chief Electrical Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $91,728 per year, or $44.1 per hour.

Electrical Engineer

Mojave, CA • On-site

Stratolaunch
Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing • 201 - 500 employees
Learn more about Stratolaunchexternal

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Re-posted 5 days ago

Job description

Stratolaunch is a technology accelerator that engineers operationally realistic testing at Mach 5+. Our air-launched, Talon testbeds are reusable, cost-effective platforms that enable routine access to the hypersonic environment. We deliver flight data critical to validating system performance and achieving rapid technology deployment. Together with our customers, we drive innovations that are imperative to advancing national security.
To help achieve these efforts, Stratolaunch is seeking an Sr-, Staff, or Principal-level Electrical Engineer. This position is responsible for design, development, meeting requirements, performing verification activities, and test execution for the carrier aircraft and/or hypersonic vehicle electronics, with an emphasis on electrical power systems. You must be comfortable with component/system development and integration. Candidates must have an aerospace development background and relevant experience in aerospace systems integration.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Support electrical design, including working with existing systems and making modifications, as needed
  • Use of standard aircraft components to create control, data, signal, and power circuits
  • Support aircraft electrical technology development including developing the requirements, capabilities, and implementing a development plan
  • Create wiring diagrams and harness diagrams for electrical systems
  • Peer review, provide necessary feedback, and approve wiring diagrams and harness diagrams
  • Represent the electrical systems in mission control, continuing console operator duties and contributing to flight test activities
  • Develop electrical system requirement verification activities
  • Perform electrical system test verification activities
  • Perform design and/or analysis to support component development
  • Support test procedure development and test execution
  • Write interface control documents (ICDs) and support integrated testing
  • Develop engineering tools, as needed, to complete their tasking
  • Regular and comprehensive communication to the Avionics Chief Engineer on a weekly and monthly basis
  • Contribute to the integration of complex aerospace systems
  • Demonstrate honesty, responsibility, integrity and fulfillment of commitments
QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential responsibility satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Required Qualifications:
  • Knowledge of, and experience with, one or more of these disciplines: electrical engineering, avionics, aircraft and/or hypersonic vehicle integration
  • Knowledge of EWIS standards for electrical component hookups
  • Experience architecting, maintaining, and debugging electrical power systems (28VDC & 115VAC, 400Hz)
  • Experience writing test procedures and reports
  • Experience with aerospace relays such as MIL-PRF-83536 (or equivalent)
  • Experience creating and maintaining wiring harness diagrams
  • Familiarity with aircraft power components such as TRUs, circuit breakers, and bus feeds
  • Experience with technical aerospace leadership, including working with sub-contractors
  • Experience with requirements development, with a focus on electrical interface management
  • Experience with risk management
  • Facilitation skills and ability to communicate technical challenges and guidance to varied audiences to gain support or resolve concerns
  • Ability to work on their own initiative and prioritize tasking to fit within the business goals
  • Ability to quickly adapt to changing priorities
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience with government agencies
  • Experience with hypersonic programs
  • Experience performing Electrical Load Analysis (ELA)
  • Experience with 747 electrical systems
  • Experience with IEEE 802.3 networking standards and IRIG-106 telemetry standards
  • Experience with PCB design, bring-up, and integration
  • Experience with being on a Mission Control Center console during flight operations
  • Security clearance

Required Computer Skills:
  • Experience in Matlab, Python, or equivalent software
  • Siemens Capital, AutoCAD Electrical, or equivalent wiring diagram software
  • MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)

Preferred Computer Skills:
  • Siemens Capital/Mentor Graphics
  • CAD software such as Siemens NX, Catia, Solidworks or equivalent
  • Labview
  • Familiarity with configuration management systems - Jira (preferred)
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
  • Sr-level ($120,500-158,000): Bachelor's degree (B.S.) from accredited institution and 5-10 years of relevant experience, OR equivalent combination of education and experience
  • Staff-level ($157,000-$206,000): Bachelor's degree (B.S.) from accredited institution and 10-20 years of relevant experience, OR equivalent combination of education and experience
  • Principal Level ($181,000-$237,300): Bachelor's degree (B.S.) from accredited institution and 20+ years of engineering experience, OR equivalent combination of education and experience

Special remarks regarding work environment, if applicable
  • Position on-site based in Mojave, CA
  • Travel, as needed, to support the department. Travel estimated to be <5%

Base salary and leveling are established on a case-by-case basis. We consider several factors to ensure a competitive offer, including your location, educational background, and a comprehensive assessment of the skills and experience demonstrated during your interviews.
Benefits and our location(s):
  • 9/80 schedule
  • Healthcare (medical, dental, vision, prescription drugs)
  • Paid Maternity and Parental Leave
  • 50% company match per contributed dollar into 401(k) savings plan, up to $11,500
  • Tuition reimbursement

This position may involve the operation of company vehicles as part of assigned duties.
Mojave Air & Spaceport is located just outside of Lancaster/Palmdale and is only 95 miles north of Los Angeles. The area offers both affordability and central access to a variety of California's best attractions and landmarks.
Not much for the outdoors and prefer the city life? You're within a half day's drive or less of Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas, and San Francisco where you can find a variety of live entertainment, museums, tours, and historical sight-seeing. Theme parks are in abundance, with Six Flags Magic Mountain, Disneyland, and Knotts Berry Farm ready to meet the needs of rollercoaster thrill seekers.
Food and drink fanatics are in a haven of delectable choices. Wine aficionados will also find easy access to some of the state's best vino in Paso Robles, Santa Ynez, and even more locally in Tehachapi and Agua Dulce. Beer fanatics will find some of the best West Coast IPAs at Bravery and Lucky Luke's in Lancaster. Any food option you crave is covered, and we always recommend the authentic and fresh Mexican food that you won't find anywhere else in the United States.
Stratolaunch is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity at our company. We encourage people from all walks of life to apply, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by law. Our management team does not tolerate discrimination or harassment at any point during our employees' and applicants' time with us, especially with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment during employment. For purposes of transparency, U.S. Citizenship may be required for some positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.
Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law :
https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf

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