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Engineering Startup Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

OpenAI

Electrical Commissioning Lead

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$141K - $285K/yr

Qualifications * 8+ years of electrical commissioning, electrical construction, field engineering, startup, testing, or owner representative experience on complex technical infrastructure projects.

Mosaic.tech

Member of Technical Staff

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$180 - $290/hr

Startup DNA: you debug, iterate, and ship with speed and ownership * Deep proficiency in backend engineering (Python, FastAPI) * Strong knowledge of distributed systems, data models, and service ...

Pear

Infra / Platform Engineer - Known

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$126K - $166K/yr

Requirements * 4+ years of experience in infrastructure, platform, or data engineering (startup or high-growth environments preferred). * Strong proficiency in Python , TypeScript , and scripting ...

Stealth Startup

AI/Agentic Engineer

San Mateo, CA · On-site

AI / Agentic Systems Engineer (Stealth Startup) Location: San Mateo, CA (In-Person / Hybrid) Compensation: Competitive Early Equity + Cash Team: Founded by Silicon Valley veterans (Ex-CTO @ FBN, Ex ...

Clera

Backend-Leaning Product Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$247.50 - $302.50/hr

... moving startup team with little structure * Balance full-stack work when required, with a clear emphasis on backend ownership * Debug production issues and exercise strong engineering judgment

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Engineering Startup information

What is an engineering startup?

An Engineering Startup job involves working in a newly founded company focused on developing innovative technology or products. Engineers in startups often wear multiple hats, taking on tasks ranging from product design and prototyping to testing and deployment. Unlike larger companies, startups typically require employees to be adaptable, work in fast-paced environments, and contribute to various aspects of product development. This role can be highly rewarding, offering opportunities for hands-on experience, creativity, and rapid career growth.

What are some common challenges engineers face when working in a startup environment?

Engineers in startup environments often encounter challenges such as rapidly shifting priorities, resource constraints, and the need to wear multiple hats beyond their core technical role. You may be expected to iterate quickly on product designs, address unforeseen technical hurdles, and collaborate closely with cross-functional teams like product and marketing. Flexibility and a proactive mindset are essential, as the pace can be fast and the scope of work may change frequently. However, these challenges come with significant learning opportunities and the potential to make a visible impact on the company's success and direction.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the engineering startup position, and why are they important?

To thrive in an engineering startup, you need a robust understanding of engineering principles, problem-solving ability, and hands-on technical skills often supported by a degree in engineering or a related field. Familiarity with product development tools, prototyping platforms, and agile project management systems such as Jira or Trello is highly valuable. Exceptional adaptability, entrepreneurial drive, teamwork, and strong communication skills set standout contributors apart in this fast-paced environment. These skills and qualities are critical because startup teams must efficiently innovate, iterate, and launch solutions amidst constant change and limited resources.

What are the most commonly searched types of Engineering Startup jobs in California?

The most popular types of Engineering Startup jobs in California are:

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

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

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

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

What cities in California are hiring for Engineering Startup jobs?

Cities in California with the most Engineering Startup job openings:

Engineering Startup jobs near you
Infographic showing various Engineering Startup job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, 4% Temporary, and 14% Contract. Highlights an 91% In-person, and 9% Remote job distribution.

Mechanical Engineer - Structural Analysis & Hardware Development

Approach Venture

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$100K - $140K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 19 days ago

Job description

Mechanical Engineer - Structural Analysis & Hardware Development

Los Angeles, California | On-site


Opportunity Summary

We are seeking a Mechanical Engineer to support the design, analysis, testing, and development of advanced power generation hardware. This role offers broad exposure across mechanical design, structural analysis, hardware integration, manufacturing, and testing within a fast-moving startup environment. This is an excellent opportunity for an early-career engineer looking to take on meaningful ownership while working alongside experienced engineers developing complex physical systems.


About Us

We are a venture-backed engineering startup building advanced energy infrastructure through innovations in thermal systems, power conversion, and manufacturing. Our team values hands-on execution, technical curiosity, and engineers who enjoy solving difficult problems.


Job Duties

  • Design mechanical components, assemblies, and supporting hardware
  • Perform FEA and structural analyses to support design decisions
  • Create CAD models, engineering drawings, and manufacturing documentation
  • Support prototype fabrication, assembly, and integration activities
  • Participate in hardware testing and performance validation efforts
  • Assist with root cause investigations and design improvements
  • Collaborate closely with manufacturing, test, and systems engineering teams
  • Contribute across multiple engineering disciplines as needed


Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related discipline
  • 2+ years of mechanical design experience
  • Experience using CAD and FEA tools
  • Understanding of structural analysis and mechanical engineering fundamentals
  • Hands-on experience building, testing, or troubleshooting hardware
  • Strong communication and problem-solving skills


Preferred Experience

  • Formula SAE, Baja SAE, Hyperloop, Rocketry, or similar hands-on engineering program experience
  • Startup experience
  • Experience supporting aerospace, automotive, robotics, or energy hardware
  • Exposure to manufacturing processes and prototype development
  • Experience working in laboratory or test environments


Why Join Us

  • Meaningful early-stage equity ownership
  • Full benefits package
  • Opportunity to work directly with senior engineering leadership
  • Broad exposure across design, analysis, manufacturing, and testing
  • Accelerated technical growth and ownership
  • Hands-on hardware development environment
  • Opportunity to help build foundational technology from the ground up


Compensation Details

$100,000 - $140,000





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