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Cognitive Performance Coach Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Occupational Therapist

San Diego, CA

$42.75 - $56.25/hr

Provide in-training environment coaching to enhance real-time cognitive performance during operational tasks. * Design and execute cognitive skills development programs aligned with SOF mission ...

Account Executive

Los Angeles, CA · On-site +1

$235K - $285K/yr

Our coaches have lived the job. Our methods come from the cognitive performance world of U.S. Special Operations. We built this company from inside the community we serve. We're backed by Andreessen ...

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Showing results 1-20

Cognitive Performance Coach information

See California salary details

$5

$27

$47

How much do cognitive performance coach jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for cognitive performance coach in California is $27.62, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.31 and $32.02 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a Cognitive Performance Coach typically collaborate with other professionals to support clients' mental performance?

Cognitive Performance Coaches often work closely with multidisciplinary teams, including psychologists, athletic trainers, and medical staff, to create comprehensive support plans for their clients. Collaboration ensures that cognitive training aligns with physical conditioning, emotional well-being, and individual goals. Regular team meetings and case reviews are common, allowing coaches to share insights and adjust strategies for optimal client progress. This collaborative approach not only enhances outcomes but also provides valuable opportunities for professional development and learning.

What is a Cognitive Performance Coach?

A Cognitive Performance Coach is a professional who helps individuals improve their mental skills, such as focus, memory, decision-making, and stress management. They use evidence-based techniques to enhance cognitive abilities, resilience, and overall mental performance. These coaches work with a variety of clients, including athletes, executives, students, and military personnel, to optimize their thinking and achieve personal or professional goals. The approach often includes strategies from psychology, neuroscience, and performance training.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Cognitive Performance Coach, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Cognitive Performance Coach, you need a solid background in psychology, neuroscience, or a related field, often supported by a relevant degree or certification such as Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC). Familiarity with assessment tools, biofeedback systems, and mental skills training programs is typically required. Outstanding interpersonal skills, motivational ability, and the capacity to build trust help coaches effectively support and guide clients. These skills ensure that coaches can deliver evidence-based strategies to enhance cognitive function, resilience, and overall mental performance.

What is the difference between Cognitive Performance Coach vs Mental Skills Coach?

AspectCognitive Performance CoachMental Skills Coach
CredentialsCertifications in coaching, psychology, or neuroscienceCertifications in sports psychology, mental training, or coaching
Work EnvironmentCorporate, sports, educational, or personal development settingsSports teams, athletes, or individual clients
Industry UsageUsed across various industries to enhance cognitive functionPrimarily in sports and athletic performance

Both roles focus on mental performance, but Cognitive Performance Coaches often work in diverse settings to improve cognitive skills, while Mental Skills Coaches typically specialize in athletic mental training. The choice depends on the client base and industry focus.

What are popular job titles related to Cognitive Performance Coach jobs in California? For Cognitive Performance Coach jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Cognitive Performance Coach jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Cognitive Performance Coach jobs in California are:
Infographic showing various Cognitive Performance Coach job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 38% Full Time, and 62% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $57,441 per year, or $27.6 per hour.
Occupational Therapist

Occupational Therapist

GDIT

San Diego, CA

$42.75 - $56.25/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 8 days ago


General Dynamics Information Technology rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 63 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

88th of 230 rated it services


Job description

Type of Requisition:

Regular

Clearance Level Must Currently Possess:

Top Secret

Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain:

Top Secret/SCI

Public Trust/Other Required:

None

Job Family:

Healthcare Services

Job Qualifications:

Skills:

Alternative Assessments, Coaching, Employee Performance Evaluations, Human Performance, Skill Development

Certifications:

None

Experience:

5 + years of related experience

US Citizenship Required:

Yes

Job Description:

We are GDIT. The people supporting and securingsome of the most complex government, defense, andintelligence projects across the country. We ensuretoday is safe and tomorrow is smarter. Our work hasmeaning and impact on the world aroundus, but also on us, andthat'simportant.

GDIT is your place. You make it your own by embracingautonomy, seizing opportunity, and being rusted todeliver your best every day.

We think. We act. We deliver. There is no challenge wecan'tturn into opportunity. And our work depends on anOccupational Therapist joining our team to supportcustomer activities.

At GDIT, people are our differentiator.As anOccupational Therapist supportingour customer, you will be trusted toprovide mission ready support.

The Occupational Therapist (OT) provides cognitive and functional performance services designed to support mission readiness, resilience, and occupational effectiveness. The OT applies occupational analysis to identify barriers to optimal performance, delivers evidencebased interventions, and collaborates with interdisciplinary Human Performance teams to support personnel and their families. This role includes cognitive performance assessment, rehabilitation, education, and integrated performance planning aligned with the demands of highstress operational environments.

HOW AN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST WILL MAKE AN IMPACT:

  • Conduct comprehensive cognitive performance evaluations using standardized assessment tools and validated neurocognitive testing platforms. Perform occupational analysis to identify performance barriers related to mission tasks. Identify cognitive risk factors impacting readiness, including sleep disruption, operational fatigue, stress load, and mild TBI history. Translate cognitive assessment findings into mission-relevant performance applications.
  • Identify task-person-environmental mismatches contributing to performance degradation.
  • Develop individualized cognitive performance plans targeting executive functioning, attention control, stress regulation, mental agility, and recovery strategies. Deliver group-based cognitive training and performance workshops. Implement cognitive rehabilitation protocols for operators returning from injury, illness, or cognitive performance degradation.
  • Provide in-training environment coaching to enhance real-time cognitive performance during operational tasks.
  • Design and execute cognitive skills development programs aligned with SOF mission demands.
  • Provide services in both garrison and operational training settings as required. Educate service members on cognitive resilience, fatigue mitigation, workload management, and recovery best practices.
  • Develop proactive programming to prevent cognitive decline and performance loss.
  • Collaborate with the Human Performance team (psychology, strength and conditioning, medical, nutrition, chaplain, and leadership) to synchronize individualized and group performance plans.
  • Participate in interdisciplinary case conferences, performance reviews, and care coordination meetings.
  • Collaborate with Cognitive Performance Professionals to ensure integrated planning, implementation, and evaluation of resilience programming.
  • Advise leadership on aggregate cognitive readiness trends, risk factors, and mitigation strategies while ensuring compliance with privacy, confidentiality, and applicable DoW regulations.
  • Demonstrated expertise in cognitive assessment and intervention.
  • Understanding of operational stress, sleep science, fatigue management, and performance psychology principles.
  • Proven ability to function effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills suitable for briefing senior leadership.
  • Ability to operate independently in dynamic, high-tempo environments.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO SUCCEED:

  • Master's or Doctoral degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited institution.
  • Minimum of three (3) years of clinical experience as an Occupational Therapist.
  • At least two (2) years of experience in cognitive rehabilitation, neurorehabilitation, human performance, or a related field.
  • Current, unrestricted Occupational Therapist license in at least one U.S. state or territory.
  • Current certification through the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).
  • Experience working with tactical, military, elite athletic, or high-performance populations.
  • Experience with neurocognitive testing platforms and performance data interpretation.

CLEARANCE: Ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI clearance within six (6) months of hiring.

LOCATION: Various OCONUS & CONUS SITES

This is a contingent posting, expected to start in 2027.

GDIT IS YOUR PLACE:

  • 401K with company match
  • Comprehensive health and wellness packages
  • Internal mobility team dedicated to helping you own your career
  • Professional growth opportunities including paid education and certifications
  • Cutting-edge technology you can learn from
  • Rest and recharge with paid vacation and holidays

#MilitaryHealthGDITJobs

The likely salary range for this position is $83,927 - $113,549. This is not, however, a guarantee of compensation or salary. Rather, salary will be set based on experience, geographic location and possibly contractual requirements and could fall outside of this range.

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Travel Required:

Less than 10%

Telecommuting Options:

Onsite

Work Location:

USA NC Fort Bragg

Additional Work Locations:

USA CA San Diego, USA FL Hurlburt Field, USA KY Fort Campbell, USA WA Joint Base Lewis-McChord

Total Rewards at GDIT:

Our benefits package for all US-based employees includes a variety of medical plan options, some with Health Savings Accounts, dental plan options, a vision plan, and a 401(k) plan offering the ability to contribute both pre and post-tax dollars up to the IRS annual limits and receive a company match. To encourage work/life balance, GDIT offers employees full flex work weeks where possible and a variety of paid time off plans, including vacation, sick and personal time, holidays, paid parental, military, bereavement and jury duty leave. To ensure our employees are able to protect their income, other offerings such as short and long-term disability benefits, life, accidental death and dismemberment, personal accident, critical illness and business travel and accident insurance are provided or available. We regularly review our Total Rewards package to ensure our offerings are competitive and reflect what our employees have told us they value most.

Our Identity Verification Process:

As part of the hiring process, we will ask you to complete an identity verification process that leverages advanced biometrics and artificial intelligence to ensure authenticity and protect against identity fraud. You are expected to be on camera during virtual interviews. We reserve the right to take your picture to verify your identity and prevent fraud. By proceeding, you authorize the collection, processing, and use of your biometric data for identity verification and security purposes.

About Our Work:

We are GDIT. A global technology and professional services company that delivers technology solutions and mission services to every major agency across the U.S. government, defense and intelligence community. Our 26,000 experts extract the power of technology to create immediate value and deliver solutions at the edge of innovation. We operate across 50+ countries worldwide, offering leading mission-ready capabilities in AI, cloud, cyber and software development.Join our Talent Community to stay up to date on our career opportunities and events at

gdit.com/tc.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Individuals with Disabilities / Protected Veterans

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About General Dynamics Information Technology

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

GDIT is a global technology and professional services company that delivers technology solutions and mission services to every major agency across the U.S. government, defense, and intelligence community. Its 30,000 experts extract the power of technology to create immediate value and deliver solutions at the edge of innovation. The company operates across 50+ countries worldwide, offering leading capabilities in digital modernization, AI/ML, cloud, cyber, and application development.

Industry

It services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Falls Church, VA, US