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Creative Engineering Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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Creative Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site +1

Strong engineering background (Python, JavaScript, or similar) * Deep hands-on experience with ... Strong creative instincts-understanding of composition, motion, or storytelling * Experience ...

ComfyUI

Forward Deployed Creative

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$150K - $200K/yr

Be the bridge to engineering and design. Customer feedback lands with you first. You'll work with ... You have creative range across image and video. * You can write Python and read other people's code.

Apple

Creative Expert - 3D/VFX

Culver City, CA

$142K - $263K/yr

Pro Workflow (PWF) team, within Apple's Hardware Engineering organization, joins creative domain experts with computer system architects to drive innovation and deliver astounding new features to ...

Quince

Color Developer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

This role is highly detail-oriented and technical, with strong cross-functional collaboration across Merchandising, Product Development, Creative, Engineering, and Supply Chain. You'll be responsible ...

Kore1

Software Application Engineer

Simi Valley, CA

Kore1 is a nationwide provider of recruiting and staffing services for Technology, Digital & Creative, Engineering, Accounting & Finance, Marketing and sales. Our professional services division ...

Waymo

Electrical Engineer, Sensors

Mountain View, CA · Hybrid

Develop creative engineering solutions, performing hands-on characterization, debugging, and system validation. * Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work in close partnership with software, mechanical ...

Meta

Creative Director, Design

Burlingame, CA

$177K/yr

Collaborate with product and engineering teams to identify opportunities for product enhancements that elevate brand expression * Lead creative direction of photo, video, and 3D renders production ...

Meta

Creative Director, Design

Los Angeles, CA

$177K/yr

Collaborate with product and engineering teams to identify opportunities for product enhancements that elevate brand expression * Lead creative direction of photo, video, and 3D renders production ...

Meta

Creative Director, Design

Menlo Park, CA

$177K/yr

Collaborate with product and engineering teams to identify opportunities for product enhancements that elevate brand expression * Lead creative direction of photo, video, and 3D renders production ...

Meta

Creative Director, Design

San Francisco, CA

$177K/yr

Collaborate with product and engineering teams to identify opportunities for product enhancements that elevate brand expression * Lead creative direction of photo, video, and 3D renders production ...

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All JobsCreative Engineering JobsCreative Engineering Jobs in California

Creative Engineering information

See California salary details

$39.5K

$89.1K

$136.2K

How much do creative engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 25, 2026, the average yearly pay for creative engineering in California is $89,094.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $49,800.00 and $128,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is creative engineering?

Creative engineering is an interdisciplinary field that combines technical engineering skills with creative problem-solving and design thinking. Professionals in this area use their knowledge of engineering principles to develop innovative solutions, products, or systems that are both functional and aesthetically appealing. Creative engineers often work on projects that require out-of-the-box thinking, such as product design, interactive installations, or unique technological experiences. They collaborate with artists, designers, and other engineers to bridge the gap between creativity and technical feasibility.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a creative engineer?

To thrive as a Creative Engineer, you need a strong foundation in engineering principles, design thinking, and problem-solving, often supported by a degree in engineering or a related technical field. Familiarity with CAD software, rapid prototyping tools, and programming languages like Python or C++ is typically required. Strong collaboration, adaptability, and communication skills help bridge the gap between technical and creative teams. These skills are crucial for developing innovative solutions that are both technically sound and visually engaging.

What are some common challenges faced by creative engineers when balancing technical feasibility with innovative design ideas?

Creative Engineers often encounter the challenge of transforming imaginative concepts into technically viable solutions. Balancing innovation with practicality requires close collaboration with both design and engineering teams, ensuring that creative ideas can be implemented within project constraints such as budget, timeline, and available technology. Navigating these challenges involves clear communication, iterative prototyping, and a willingness to adapt designs based on technical feedback. Successful Creative Engineers thrive in multidisciplinary environments and are adept at problem-solving while maintaining a focus on both functionality and aesthetics.

What is the difference between Creative Engineering vs Mechanical Engineering?

AspectCreative EngineeringMechanical Engineering
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Engineering, Design or related fields; often includes courses in design and innovationBachelor's in Mechanical Engineering; often includes courses in thermodynamics, mechanics, and materials
Work EnvironmentDesign studios, innovation labs, product development teamsManufacturing plants, research labs, engineering firms
Industry UsageProduct design, innovation, prototyping, creative problem-solvingMachinery, automotive, aerospace, manufacturing

Creative Engineering focuses on innovative design and problem-solving, often blending engineering with artistic concepts. Mechanical Engineering emphasizes the analysis, design, and manufacturing of mechanical systems. While both roles require engineering fundamentals, Creative Engineers prioritize creativity and user experience, whereas Mechanical Engineers focus on functionality and technical specifications.

What do creative engineers do?

Creative engineers combine engineering principles with innovative design to develop new products, systems, or solutions. They often work in multidisciplinary teams, utilizing skills in engineering, design, and problem-solving, and may use tools like CAD software and prototyping equipment to bring ideas to life.

What are popular job titles related to Creative Engineering jobs in California?

For Creative Engineering jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Creative Engineering jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Creative Engineering jobs in California are:

Creative Engineering jobs near you
Infographic showing various Creative Engineering job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 5% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $89,094 per year, or $42.8 per hour.

Creative Engineering Director

San Jose, CA • On-site

Critical Mass
Marketing • 1 - 5K employees
Learn more about Critical Massexternal

Full-time

PTO

Posted 14 days ago

Job description

Role
Creative Engineering is the discipline that turns ideas into systems, the connective tissue between concept and code, between craft and scale. As a Creative Engineering Director, you own that discipline across accounts. You set the standards, define the vision for how our design systems are built, and make sure every team under you is pushing the same bar for craft, speed, and innovation.
Internally, you're building the bench. You manage and mentor Creative Engineering Leads, Associate Creative Engineering Directors, and the Engineers coming up behind them, setting the standard for how design systems get built and how AI gets used, not as a novelty, but as a tool that makes the work better and the team faster.
You Will
Ecosystem & Systems Leadership
  • Define the vision for complex, scalable design systems that hold up across websites, emails, social, in-platform interfaces, and every format in between
  • Set the strategy for how Dynamic Creative Optimization and dynamic content are applied across accounts, guiding teams on when it's the right tool for the job
  • Identify ways AI can solve client challenges or improve workflows across the function, and champion the adoption of new tools and platforms
  • Champion compliance, accessibility, and security standards across teams and clients

Client & Business Leadership
  • Represent Creative Engineering with clients and in new business creating compelling stories that win pitches and organically shape new opportunities within your craft
  • Build trusted relationships with clients as the go-to voice on what's technically possible
  • Own the narrative in high-stakes presentations, translating complex technical work into a story any audience can follow

Team Leadership & Culture
  • Manage and mentor Creative Engineering Leads, Associate Creative Engineering Directors, and engineers across the function, building a leadership pipeline beneath you
  • Lead the innovation agenda for the function piloting new tools, formats, and processes before they become standard
  • Champion talent development and culture, creating an environment where engineers want to grow and stay

Craft & Quality
  • Set and enforce the bar for technical craft across every team you oversee
  • Stay close enough to the work to catch what's broken and coach the fix, you lead by example, not just by title

You Have
  • 10+ years of experience in creative technology, front-end development, or a related field, with a track record of leading teams and functions
  • Proven experience managing and mentoring managers (CE Leads, ACEDs) as well as individual engineers
  • Deep expertise in design systems architecture, with experience defining vision and strategy across websites, emails, social, and in-platform formats not just execution
  • Experience using AI to solve client challenges and improve workflows, with a point of view on where the function should invest next
  • A strong presentation narrative for internal and external audiences you can walk a room of engineers or a room of C-suite clients through the same idea
  • Experience representing a function in new business and client relationships
  • A track record of building and scaling teams, processes, and standards across accounts

What we offer:
  • Maternity and parental leave extra days
  • Competitive benefits packages
  • Vacation, compassionate leave, sick days, and flex days
  • Access to online services for families and new parents
  • Diversity and Inclusion Board with 12 affinity groups
  • Internal learning and development programs
  • Enterprise-wide employee discounts
  • And more...

At Critical Mass, we value our employees and offer competitive compensation and benefits packages. If you're looking for a challenging and rewarding opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of our employees, we encourage you to apply for this exciting position today!
The Talent Team at Critical Mass is focused on ensuring we provide the best training, onboarding, and employee experience possible! Our new hires & employees are the future of our organization, and we want to set you up for long-term success. In an effort to do so, we expect our team to work from an office a minimum of 3 days a week.
The ask stems from our want to:
  • Strengthen opportunity for continuous learning
  • Improve collaboration and team relationships.
  • Increase employee engagement

This work model balances the need for individual flexibility while maintaining the relentless customer focus we provide at CM. We understand that not everyone may feel comfortable with this expectation, so we ask that you please let us know immediately if there are any concerns so we can help navigate accordingly.
Critical Mass is an equal opportunity employer.
Critical Mass uses artificial intelligence in our recruitment process to enhance job postings, filter keywords during the review of prospective candidates, and, in some cases, transcribe interviews with our recruiters. Human review remains central to the process, and all hiring decisions are ultimately made by our team.
The Critical Mass Talent Acquisition team will only communicate from email addresses that use the URLs criticalmass.com, omc.com and us.greenhouse-mail.io. We will not use apps such as Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, or Google Hangouts for communicating with you. We will never ask you to send us money, technology, or anything else to work for our company. If you believe you are the victim of a scam, please review your local government consumer protections guidance and reach out to them directly.
If U.S. based: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/job-scams#avoid
If Canada based: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/finance/consumer-affairs.html
If U.K. based: https://www.gov.uk/consumer-protection-rights
If Costa Rica based: https://www.consumo.go.cr/educacion_consumidor/consejos_practicos.aspx

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