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Communications Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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Communications Engineer information

See California salary details

$61.7K

$109.2K

$135.7K

How much do communications engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for communications engineer in California is $109,243.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $93,300.00 and $128,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a communications engineer do?

A Communications Engineer designs, develops, and maintains communication systems and networks, such as telephone, radio, satellite, and internet connections. They ensure reliable and efficient transmission of data and voice signals, troubleshoot technical issues, and implement new technologies to improve performance. Communications Engineers may work with both hardware and software, collaborating with other technical teams to support large-scale infrastructure projects and meet industry standards.

What is the difference between Communications Engineer vs Network Engineer?

AspectCommunications EngineerNetwork Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Communications, Electrical Engineering, or related fields; certifications like CCNA, CCNPBachelor's in Computer Science, Networking, or related fields; certifications like CCNA, CCNP
Work EnvironmentTelecom companies, service providers, infrastructure projectsIT departments, data centers, enterprise networks
Industry UsageTelecommunications, broadcasting, satellite communicationsInformation technology, internet service providers, corporate networks

While both roles involve network and communication systems, Communications Engineers focus on designing and maintaining telecommunication infrastructure, whereas Network Engineers primarily manage and optimize computer networks. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

What is a communications engineer?

A communications engineer builds and maintains telecommunication systems, from radio to satellite to internet technologies. As a communications engineer, your job duties include designing and developing communications networks from the ground up, installing and testing communications systems, troubleshooting and debugging existing systems, and fixing problems as they arise. The qualifications for a career as a communications engineer include a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or a related field, and experience working on communications systems. You need strong technical skills and the ability to continuously learn new technologies.

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

To thrive as a Communications Engineer, you need a solid understanding of telecommunications principles, networking, signal processing, and typically a degree in electrical or communications engineering. Familiarity with tools such as network analyzers, RF simulation software, and certifications like Cisco CCNA or CompTIA Network+ are often required. Strong problem-solving, teamwork, and effective communication skills help you collaborate on complex projects and troubleshoot issues efficiently. These skills and qualifications are vital to ensure reliable, secure, and high-performing communications systems in rapidly evolving technology environments.

What are some common challenges communications engineers face when working on large-scale infrastructure projects?

Communications Engineers working on large-scale infrastructure projects often encounter challenges such as integrating new systems with legacy technologies, ensuring network security and reliability, and coordinating with multidisciplinary teams. They must also manage tight deadlines and evolving project requirements, which can require adaptability and strong problem-solving skills. Effective communication with stakeholders, including project managers, IT professionals, and external vendors, is essential to successfully address these challenges and deliver robust communication solutions.
More about Communications Engineer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Communications Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of Communications Engineer jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Communications Engineer jobs in California? For Communications Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Communications Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Communications Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Communications Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Communications Engineer job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Communications Engineer jobs in CA? For Communications Engineer jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Communications Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Communications Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 76% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 3% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $109,243 per year, or $52.5 per hour.

Optical Communications Engineer II

Ephemeris Net

El Segundo, CA • On-site

$137K - $177K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 9 days ago

Job description

About Ephemeris Net
We are extending the internet to space.
Ephemeris Net is a pre-seed space networking company on a mission to provide connectivity for all space users through collaborative engineering of commercial space networking solutions. We are creating the infrastructure that will enable the space internet beyond bent pipe by laying the foundational networking infrastructure that will define how data moves through space.
We are supported by our parent incubator Second Order Effects, institutional VCs, and our network of space advisors. As space use scales and more space native networks come online, we believe that now is the chance to build foundational infrastructure for how the internet will work in space.
The Role
We are looking for an Optical Engineer to own the design, build, test, and flight of the optical systems that move data through the Ephemeris Net network, including coherent optical transceivers and the free-space optical assembly that pairs with it.
You will own optical hardware end to end, across both the transceiver and the free-space link. On the transceiver side, this is the fiber optical signal chain: optical modulators, optical hybrids, photodiodes, lasers, fiber splitters, beam splitters. On the free-space side, this includes telescopes/beam expanders, lenses, mirrors and involves ray tracing, tolerancing, and stray light analysis required to close link budgets in orbit. You will be supported by the electrical engineering team for optoelectronic design and a mechanical team for opto-mechanical structure. You will build and fly some of the most sensitive optical hardware ever deployed in space and then scale it to mass manufacturing.
This role will report to the CTO and founder, Nicolas Brown.
Key Responsibilities
Optical System Design & Build
  • Design and assemble coherent transceiver optics from components: optical modulators, optical hybrids, photodetectors
  • Design the free-space optical assembly including optical design and ray tracing: tolerancing, ghost analysis, and stray light analysis to close on-orbit link budgets
  • Design the fiber optical layout, including alignment fixtures and opto-mechanical packaging
  • Own the transmit and receive signal chain performance from RF electrical output through free-space launch and from free-space back to RF electrical

Test & Characterization
  • Develop and execute bench-level test plans for the transceiver and free-space assembly: modulation quality (EVM, constellation diagrams), wavefront quality, noise figure, bandwidth, optical power budgets, thermalization
  • Characterize coherent detection performance: receiver sensitivity, common-mode rejection, and phase noise
  • Verify free-space optical performance: wavefront error, encircled energy, pointing stability, stray light rejection

What We're Looking For
Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in optical engineering, applied physics, photonics, electrical engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
  • 4+ years of hands-on experience designing or building robust, precision electro-optical instruments in fiber, free space, or both
  • Working knowledge of one or more areas: coherent detection architectures (IQ modulation/demodulation, balanced detection, optical hybrid operation), free-space optical design (ray tracing, tolerancing, stray light), or laser and fiber systems at the component level
  • Proficiency with optical instrumentation (OSAs, power meters, interferometers, collimated beams, wavefront sensors, beam profilers) and RF and microwave test equipment (network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, high-speed oscilloscopes)
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with optical design and ray tracing software including stray light and ghost analysis
  • Experience designing telescopes, beam expanders, or pointing and tracking optical paths with cameras
  • Familiarity with space-qualified hardware design, environmental testing (thermal, vibration, radiation), or flight heritage optical systems
  • Experience specifying analog PCB requirements for high-bandwidth RF signal chains (TIA, driver amplifiers, bias networks)
  • Active security clearance

What We Offer
Compensation and Benefits:
  • Salary dependent on experience (please note that all posted levels for this role route through the same review process; applying to multiple levels will result in duplicate applications)
    • Engineer II: $150,000 - $190,000
    • Senior Engineer: $170,000 - $210,000
    • Staff Engineer: $200,000 - $250,000
  • Generous equity package (early team member level)
  • 401k program
  • Comprehensive health care coverage
  • Unlimited PTO (we expect you to take at least 4 weeks per year, and leadership does the same)

Work Environment:
  • Hybrid work model: 3 days per week in our office/lab based on project needs
    • During critical phases: When we are in integration, test, or launch prep mode, expect to be in the office more frequently for coordination with the mission team
  • Expected travel: Up to 25% (customer meetings, supplier visits, launch campaign, partner sites, integration sites, other Ephemeris offices)
  • Small team environment
  • Autonomy and space to define how we work and execute.

The Opportunity
  • Build something that does not exist yet: The unique aspects of this optical system mean it is impossible to buy off the shelf
  • Bench to orbit: Your hardware will fly. You will take this from optics on a breadboard to a space-qualified optical terminal
  • Build the space internet: Work on technology that will fundamentally change how space networks operate

Our Vision and Values
Ephemeris Net's vision is to enable an open, space internet that anyone can utilize and access.
We believe that access to better digital connectivity is essential for human progress and that space is the frontier of digital connectivity. We believe that collaboration within market competition is the most effective way to expand the internet into space. Using Ephemeris Net to build space network solutions is how we can proliferate digital connectivity, collaboration, and "the raising of all boats" while achieving a commercial impact.
We care deeply about:
  • Access to connectivity for all
  • Collaboration that raises all boats; we focus on win/win deals
  • Commercial impact: building solutions people value and buy
  • Personal growth and creating a place where people build their careers
  • Putting good out into the world through the work we do and our interactions with each other

We are building a company people feel great about working at. We are seeking people who are open and actively seeking growth-both technical and personal. We value honesty, creativity, and a culture of ownership.
About Our Locations
El Segundo, CA: Located in the heart of the aerospace industry, surrounded by SpaceX, Aerospace Corporation, Northrop Grumman, and hundreds of space startups. A unique ecosystem where strangers on the street are excited about space.
Oakland, CA: Right off BART. Close collaboration opportunities with UC Berkeley and the broader Bay Area networking and space research communities.
Ephemeris Net is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

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