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Entry Level Bioengineering Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Entry Level Bioengineering information

See California salary details

$11

$19

$29

How much do entry level bioengineering jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 25, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level bioengineering in California is $19.68, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.15 and $22.07 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level Bioengineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Bioengineer, you need a solid background in biology, engineering principles, and mathematics, typically supported by a bachelor's degree in bioengineering or a related field. Familiarity with CAD software, laboratory instrumentation, and data analysis tools like MATLAB or Python is commonly required. Strong problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and effective communication skills help you excel in collaborative research and development environments. These skills are essential for innovating and delivering solutions that advance healthcare technology and improve patient outcomes.

What are entry level bioengineering jobs?

Entry level bioengineering jobs are positions designed for individuals who have recently graduated with a degree in bioengineering or a related field. These roles typically involve assisting in research, product development, quality control, or laboratory work within industries such as healthcare, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, or medical devices. Entry level bioengineers may work alongside experienced engineers and scientists to design, test, or improve biological systems and medical devices. These positions often provide on-the-job training and opportunities for professional growth.

What types of projects and tasks can I expect to work on as an entry-level bioengineer?

As an entry-level bioengineer, you'll typically contribute to projects such as developing medical devices, conducting laboratory experiments, or analyzing biological data. Your daily responsibilities may include assisting with research, running tests, collecting and interpreting data, and preparing reports for senior engineers or project managers. You’ll often work as part of a multidisciplinary team, collaborating closely with scientists, clinicians, and other engineers. This collaborative environment provides valuable learning opportunities and exposure to various aspects of bioengineering, helping you build foundational skills for career growth.
What cities in California are hiring for Entry Level Bioengineering jobs? Cities in California with the most Entry Level Bioengineering job openings:
Infographic showing various Entry Level Bioengineering job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 38% Locum Tenens, 27% As Needed, 30% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,931 per year, or $19.7 per hour.
Research Associate, Biology

Research Associate, Biology

Anthropic

San Francisco, CA

Other

Posted 15 days ago


Job description

About the team

Anthropic's Life Sciences team is building a world-class research group focused on making fundamental biological discoveries. The team combines cutting-edge AI with hands-on biological research, positioning Anthropic at the forefront of AI-accelerated scientific discovery.

About the role

We are hiring Research Associates: early-career bench scientists who will join a small team to help establish our biology research program. This is an entry-level role, great for individuals who have done some research during an undergrad or masters program and may be considering pursuing a PhD in Life Sciences in the future.

You'll work directly alongside senior scientists, executing and troubleshooting experiments at the bench while learning advanced techniques in a fast-moving, highly collaborative environment. We value curiosity, careful hands, and the willingness to take ownership of a result. Our scientists are eager to teach; we're hiring for motivation and trajectory as much as for existing skill.

This is a fully hands-on bench role - while familiarity with computational biology and bioinformatics is welcome, the role does not involve AI/ML model development.

Key responsibilities
  • Execute molecular biology and biochemistry experiments at the bench under the direction of senior scientists
  • Maintain meticulous, reproducible records and contribute to shared protocols
  • Troubleshoot experiments, propose adjustments, and present results clearly in group meetings
  • Maintain mammalian and bacterial cell lines, materials stocks, and reagent inventories
  • Learn and adopt new techniques rapidly as projects evolve, with training provided
Minimum qualifications
  • Have hands-on research experience in molecular biology, biochemistry, or a closely related field
  • Are proficient with foundational molecular biology techniques: PCR, gel electrophoresis, molecular cloning, and plasmid preparation
  • Have experience with aseptic technique and bacterial or mammalian cell culture, and with nucleic acid extraction, purification, and quantification
  • Follow, document, and adapt experimental protocols with care and precision
  • Are highly motivated, eager to learn, and energized by hands-on bench work
  • Are practical and resourceful - you'd rather find a way through than a reason it can't be done
  • Listen carefully, take feedback well, ask good questions, and are comfortable when priorities shift quickly
  • Are excited to use AI models as a tool at the bench to plan experiments, interpret data, and decide what to try next
Preferred qualifications
  • A BS or MS in molecular biology, biochemistry, chemical biology, microbiology, bioengineering, or a related discipline
  • Protein expression and purification experience (e.g., affinity, SEC, IEX)
  • Mammalian cell culture experience, including transfection and stable line maintenance
  • Enzyme kinetics or quantitative biochemical assay development (fluorescence, absorbance, FRET)
  • Next-generation sequencing library preparation experience
  • Familiarity with common bioinformatics workflows and molecular biology software (e.g., sequence analysis, alignment, primer and construct design)
  • Experience using AI tools such as Claude in a research setting - for literature review, protocol drafting, data interpretation, or experimental troubleshooting

This is a rare opportunity to help define how a frontier AI company does biology. You'll learn quickly, work closely with people who want to teach, and see your results feed directly into how the most capable AI models are evaluated and improved.