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Engineering Physics Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Collabera

Power Systems Engineer

Menlo Park, CA

Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science Additional Information All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

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How much do engineering physics jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for engineering physics in California is $19.80, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.36 and $25.14 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an engineering physicist, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Engineering Physicist, you need a strong background in physics, mathematics, and engineering principles, typically supported by at least a bachelor's or master's degree in engineering physics or a related field. Familiarity with simulation software (such as MATLAB or COMSOL), laboratory instrumentation, and data analysis tools is often required. Strong problem-solving skills, creativity, and the ability to communicate complex concepts clearly are critical soft skills in this role. These skills are essential for developing innovative solutions, advancing technology, and effectively collaborating within multidisciplinary teams.

What is engineering physics?

Engineering physics is an interdisciplinary field that applies the concepts and methods of physics to solve complex engineering problems. It bridges the gap between theoretical physics and practical engineering, enabling professionals to design and develop innovative technologies. Graduates in engineering physics work in areas such as electronics, materials science, nanotechnology, and renewable energy, often focusing on research and development. This field is ideal for those interested in both fundamental science and real-world applications.

What is the difference between Engineering Physics vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectEngineering PhysicsMechanical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Engineering Physics or related fieldsBachelor's or Master's in Mechanical Engineering
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, universities, R&D departmentsManufacturing, design firms, industrial settings
Industry UsageResearch, development, advanced technology sectorsProduct design, manufacturing, maintenance
Common Search/ComparisonEngineering Physics vs Mechanical Engineer

Engineering Physics and Mechanical Engineering share foundational engineering principles, but Engineering Physics focuses more on fundamental science and research, while Mechanical Engineering emphasizes practical design and manufacturing. Both roles often overlap in technical skills and work environments, but their career paths and daily tasks differ based on their core focus areas.

What can you do with an engineering physics degree?

An engineering physics degree prepares individuals for careers in research, development, and technical roles across industries such as aerospace, electronics, energy, and manufacturing. Graduates often work as engineers, applied physicists, or technical specialists, utilizing skills in problem-solving, modeling, and laboratory work. Advanced positions may require further specialization or certifications, and familiarity with tools like CAD software or programming languages is beneficial.

What types of projects does an engineering physicist typically work on within multidisciplinary teams?

Engineering Physics professionals often engage in projects that bridge physics and engineering, such as developing advanced materials, designing innovative sensors, or optimizing energy systems. They frequently collaborate with electrical engineers, software developers, and research scientists to solve complex technical problems. Teamwork is essential, as these projects often require integrating theoretical physics concepts with practical engineering solutions. This collaborative environment not only enhances problem-solving but also provides opportunities to learn from other disciplines and contribute specialized expertise.

Is engineering physics a good career?

Engineering physics is a multidisciplinary field combining principles of physics and engineering, leading to careers in research, development, and technology sectors. It often requires strong analytical skills, proficiency in mathematics, and knowledge of tools like programming and laboratory equipment. The career prospects are generally good, especially in industries such as aerospace, electronics, and energy, with opportunities for advanced research and innovation.
What are the most commonly searched types of Engineering Physics jobs in California? The most popular types of Engineering Physics jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Engineering Physics jobs in California? For Engineering Physics jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Engineering Physics jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Engineering Physics jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Engineering Physics jobs? Cities in California with the most Engineering Physics job openings:
Engineering Physics jobs near you
Infographic showing various Engineering Physics job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 18% Internship, 49% Full Time, and 33% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $41,184 per year, or $19.8 per hour.

Forward Deployed Engineer, Physics & Simulation

Periodic Labs

Menlo Park, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 5 days ago

Job description

About Periodic Labs
We're an AI and physical sciences company building state-of-the-art models to accelerate breakthroughs across materials, energy, and beyond. Backed by world-class investors and growing rapidly, we operate at the pace the frontier requires. Our team brings deep expertise, genuine ownership, and an insatiable drive to push the boundaries of what's scientifically possible.
About the Role
Periodic Labs is deploying AI-driven simulation to solve some of the hardest physical process optimization problems in advanced manufacturing. As a Forward Deployed Engineer focused on physics and simulation, you will be the technical engine behind our most demanding customer engagements - spending significant time on-site, embedding directly with customer teams, and owning the end-to-end simulation workflow that makes our platform work in the real world.
You will work alongside our internal modeling and ML teams to build, calibrate, and iterate on physics-based simulations, translate customer process knowledge into computational models, and drive iterative recipe optimization with direct feedback loops to production. This is a hands-on, high-ownership role at the frontier of AI for physical science.
Willingness to travel to and spend extended time on-site in Taiwan is required.
What You'll Do
  • Own the simulation workflow end-to-end for customer engagements - from model setup and calibration to iterative recipe optimization and results interpretation
  • Build, run, and debug physics-based simulations of complex physical processes, including multiphase flow, capillary dynamics, viscosity evolution, and curing behavior
  • Collaborate directly with customer engineering teams on-site to understand process constraints, interpret simulation outputs, and translate findings into actionable process improvements
  • Partner with Periodic's internal ML and RL teams to couple simulation outputs with LLM-driven recipe generation, closing the loop between physics modeling and automated process optimization
  • Develop and extend simulation tooling in Python, including scripting for job submission, parameter sweeps, output parsing, and integration.
  • Iterate rapidly on model fidelity, meshing strategies, and solver configurations to balance accuracy and computational cost for real-world deployment constraints
  • Surface domain insights back to the research and product teams, directly shaping the next generation of our simulation and AI platform
  • Contribute to documentation, runbooks, and process guides that help the team scale customer engagements over time
You Will Thrive in This Role If You Have
  • Strong foundations in numerical simulation of physical systems - whether fluid dynamics, heat transfer, structural mechanics, electromagnetics or related domains - gained through graduate research, industry, or both
  • Hands-on experience building or running simulations that solve partial differential equations, including comfort with mesh generation, solver tuning, and debugging numerical instabilities
  • Proficiency in Python for scripting, automation, and scientific computing (NumPy, SciPy, or equivalent)
  • A process engineering or physics mindset: you understand that simulations are tools for answering real process questions, and you care about getting physically meaningful results, not just running jobs
  • Strong communication skills and genuine comfort working directly with customer engineering teams - translating between computational models and manufacturing realities
  • Willingness to spend extended periods on-site with customers, including in Taiwan
  • A self-starter orientation: you can own a technical problem from problem definition through to a deployed result, with limited hand-holding
Especially Strong Candidates May Also Have
  • Background in computational fluid dynamics (CFD), including experience with tools such as OpenFOAM, ANSYS Fluent, Star-CCM+, or custom solvers
  • Graduate-level research experience building simulation software - from scratch or on top of existing frameworks - in domains such as mechanical or chemical engineering, weather modeling, astrophysics, materials processing, or similar
  • Experience in semiconductor or advanced packaging processes (underfill, flip-chip, wafer bonding, or related)
  • Familiarity with physics-informed ML, surrogate modeling, or neural operators applied to simulation acceleration
  • Experience integrating simulation tools into larger software platforms or automated optimization pipelines
  • Proficiency in Mandarin, which would be a meaningful advantage for on-site collaboration in Taiwan
  • Some background in a lab or experimental environment, with an appreciation for how simulations relate to physical process data
Mechanics
Minimum education: bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and training or experience
Location: Our lab is located in Menlo Park and we prefer folks to be located in Menlo Park or San Francisco but can be flexible based on role
Compensation: The annual compensation range for this role - $200,000-$275,000
Visa sponsorship: Yes, we sponsor visas and will do everything we can to assist in this process with our legal support.
We're building a team of the world's best - the scientists, engineers, and problem-solvers who don't just follow the frontier, they define it. If you're driven to bring AI to life in the physical world and make discoveries that have never been made before, you belong here.

Apply