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Entry Level Physicist Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

FieldAI

Sensor Systems Engineer-Federal

Irvine, CA · On-site

$70K - $300K/yr

D. in Robotics, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Physics, Physics, or a related field. * Experience Level: We are recruiting across a wide range of experience levels from entry level engineers to ...

FieldAI

Sensor Systems Engineer-Federal

Irvine, CA

D. in Robotics, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Physics, Physics, or a related field. * Experience Level: We are recruiting across a wide range of experience levels from entry level engineers to ...

Waters Corporation

Development Engineer I

Goleta, CA · On-site

This is an entry-level position ideally suited for recent graduates who enjoy hands-on laboratory ... Bachelor's degree in Physics, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Materials Science, Engineering, or another ...

Waters Corporation

Development Engineer I

Goleta, CA · On-site

This is an entry-level position ideally suited for recent graduates who enjoy hands-on laboratory ... Bachelor's degree in Physics, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Materials Science, Engineering, or another ...

Waters Corporation

Development Engineer I

Goleta, CA

This is an entry-level position ideally suited for recent graduates who enjoy hands-on laboratory ... Bachelor's degree in Physics, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Materials Science, Engineering, or another ...

Mattson Technology

RF Engineer 1

Fremont, CA · On-site

Job Summary The RF Engineer I is an entry-level engineering professional responsible for supporting ... Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, RF Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Physics, or a ...

Mattson Technology, Inc.

RF Engineer 1

Fremont, CA

Job Summary The RF Engineer I is an entry-level engineering professional responsible for supporting ... Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, RF Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Physics, or a ...

Calpine

Operator Technician I

Middletown, CA · On-site

$51.62 - $52.59/hr

Job Responsibilities * Entry-level; practical operating knowledge to perform job. * Performs ... Strong mechanical aptitude and basic understanding of chemistry, physics, electricity and ...

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Entry Level Physicist information

See California salary details

$39K

$93.6K

$223.5K

How much do entry level physicist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level physicist in California is $93,563.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $58,200.00 and $110,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an entry level physicist do?

An entry level physicist typically assists in conducting experiments, analyzing data, and supporting research projects under the supervision of more experienced physicists. Their duties may include setting up laboratory equipment, running simulations, and documenting results. They often work in academic, government, or industrial settings and may contribute to scientific papers or presentations. Entry level physicists also continue learning new techniques and may collaborate with other scientists or engineers.

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

To thrive as an Entry Level Physicist, you need a solid understanding of core physics principles, strong mathematical skills, and at least a bachelor's degree in physics or a closely related field. Familiarity with analytical software such as MATLAB, Python, or LabVIEW, as well as experience with laboratory equipment and data analysis tools, is typically required. Critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication help set candidates apart in collaborative research and technical discussions. These skills and qualifications are crucial for conducting experiments, interpreting results, and contributing to both academic and industry-driven projects.

What are some common challenges faced by entry level physicists when transitioning from academia to industry roles?

Entry level physicists often encounter challenges when adapting to the faster-paced, results-driven environment of industry compared to academia. They may need to quickly learn new technical tools, adjust to collaborative projects with multidisciplinary teams, and align their research to business goals rather than purely scientific inquiry. Effective communication and the ability to translate complex concepts for non-specialist colleagues are also crucial skills that may require additional development. Seeking mentorship and actively engaging with colleagues can help ease this transition and foster professional growth.

What is the difference between Entry Level Physicist vs Research Assistant in Physics?

AspectEntry Level PhysicistResearch Assistant in Physics
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Physics or related fieldBachelor's or Master's in Physics or related field
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, universities, government agenciesResearch labs, universities, government agencies
Employer & Industry UsageEmployers seek entry-level physicists for research and analysis rolesEmployers hire research assistants to support physics research projects

Both roles typically require similar educational backgrounds and work environments. An Entry Level Physicist often has more responsibilities in analysis and project development, while a Research Assistant primarily supports ongoing research activities. The main difference lies in job scope and potential career progression.

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

The most popular types of Physicist jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Physicist jobs in California?

For Entry Level Physicist jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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Entry Level Physicist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Physicist job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 8% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $93,563 per year, or $45 per hour.

Sr. Perception & Sensors Engineer, Robotics Hardware

FieldAI

Irvine, CA

Full-time

Re-posted 10 days ago

Job description

Field AI is transforming how robots interact with the real world. We are building risk-aware, reliable, and field-ready AI systems that address the most complex challenges in robotics, unlocking the full potential of embodied intelligence. We go beyond typical data-driven approaches or pure transformer-based architectures, and are charting a new course, with already-globally-deployed solutions delivering real-world results and rapidly improving models through real-field applications.

Hardware Team:
The Hardware Team at Field AI develops perception and compute payloads that power autonomous robotics systems in complex real-world environments. Our work spans the full hardware stack designing and integrating sensing systems (LiDAR, camera, TOF, IMU, GPS), embedded compute (CPUs, GPUs, microcontrollers, ROS, sensor drivers), electrical systems (power distribution, communication), and mechanical components (structures, thermal regulation, ingress protection). The team focuses on both development (research, design, prototyping, testing) and operations (production, testing, QA, debugging). We're a small, fast-moving team, and we care deeply about improving: 1) core capabilities, 2) system reliability, 3) system scalability. As a growing team we are also building operational systems and procedures from the ground up.
 
Sensor Systems Role:
As a Sensor Systems Engineer on the Hardware Team, you will contribute to the design, integration, calibration, and validation of the sensing systems that underpin our autonomy stack. You will work with a diverse array of sensors-LiDARs, depth cameras, IMUs, GPS, and more-ensuring each one delivers accurate, time-synchronized, and spatially consistent data in a range of environments and operating conditions. You will collaborate closely with the autonomy, compute, electrical, and mechanical teams to build tightly integrated solutions ready for deployment in challenging field environments. Additionally, while your focus will be on sensors you will likely contribute across all hardware domains.
 
 
What You Will Get To Do
 
 
1. Sensor System Design
  • Sensor Architecture: Work across hardware and software teams to define sensing requirements. Identity, test, and select sensors such as LiDARs, depth cameras, GPS, IMUs, ToF, and other devices.
  • Systems Integration: Integrate sensors with electrical (USB, Ethernet, I2C, CAN, GMSL), mechanical (mounts, jigs, isolation), and software (configurations, drivers, ROS nodes) systems. Ensuring power, thermal, and protocol compatibility.
  • Spatial Performance: Architect system to meet spatial sampling performance requirements including spatial coverage, range, resolution, and transform accuracy.
  • Temporal Performance: Implement and validate synchronization strategies, triggering schemes, timestamp encoding, and end-to-end latency minimization.
 
2. Sensor System Implementation
  • Performance Characterization: Evaluate sensor performance (spatial resolution, temporal drift, EMI noise, sync errors etc.). Test under real-world environmental conditions (vibration, lighting, moisture, temperature).
  • Calibration: Design and execute both intrinsic and extrinsic calibrations. Build alignment rigs and calibration boards as needed.
  • Optimization: Tune sensor configurations (exposure, gain, filtering, frame rate, etc.) and processing pipeline (filtering etc.)  for optimal performance
  • Documentation: Create timing diagrams, sensor maps, coordinate transforms, and maintain all configuration files, launch scripts, driver references, and firmware states.
 
3. Sensor System Production & Servicing
  • Build: Work with vendors to procure sensors. Develop QA checks for incoming units. Support payload integration and manufacturing at scale.
  • Debug: Conduct root cause analysis of sensor systems including issues across hardware and software boundaries.
  • Monitor: Develop protocols for monitoring the sensing system health, data quality, and calibration status during field deployments.
 
What You Have
 
  • Education: B.S., M.S. or Ph.D. in Robotics, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Physics, Physics, or a related field.
  • Experience Level: We are recruiting across a wide range of experience levels from entry level engineers to senior and staff engineers.
  • Hands-On Sensors Experience: Hands-on work with perception sensors such as LiDAR, depth cameras, IMUs, GPS.
  • Systems Thinking: Cross-functional collaboration experience across electrical, mechanical, and software teams.
  • Sensor Physics: Strong foundation in optics, signal processing, and electromagnetic wave propagation.
  • Lab Skills: Hands-on testing, calibration, and debugging skills (oscilloscopes, logs, vibration/thermal setups)
  • Communication Protocols: Experience with protocols such as USB, Ethernet, GMSL, CAN, I2C, and CSI.
  • Computer & Software: Experience working with ROS/ROS2, sensor drivers, coordinate transforms (TF), and timing protocols (PTP, NTP, etc.).
  • Timing & Triggers: Experience with timestamping, synchronization, triggering, and latency constraints.
  • Calibration & Characterization: Experience designing and executing intrinsic, extrinsic, and temporal calibrations, along with sensor characterization under real-world environmental conditions.
  • Simulation: Experience high-fidelity simulation environments (Gazebo, Isaac Sim, RViz) for sensor modeling.
 
What Will Set You Apart
 
  • Scaling: Experience taking systems from prototype to large scale production.
  • Field Environments: Experience developing systems for harsh field environments.
  • Deployed Robotics: Experience working on robotics deployed in real world settings such as autonomous vehicles, drones, or ruggedized robots.
  • Systems Level Robotics: Fluency across software, electrical, and mechanical systems.
  • Autonomy Software: Knowledge of autonomy stacks used in robotics. As well as how sensor performance impacts autonomy algorithms.
$70,000 - $300,000 a year
Compensation and Benefits
Our salary range is between ($70,000 - $300,000 annual), but we take into consideration an individual's background and experience in determining final salary; base pay offered may vary considerably depending on geographic location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.  Also, while we enjoy being together on-site, we are open to exploring a hybrid or remote option.

Why Join Field AI?
We are solving one of the world's most complex challenges: deploying robots in unstructured, previously unknown environments. Our Field Foundational Models set a new standard in perception, planning, localization, and manipulation, ensuring our approach is explainable and safe for deployment.

You will have the opportunity to work with a world-class team that thrives on creativity, resilience, and bold thinking. With a decade-long track record of deploying solutions in the field, winning DARPA challenge segments, and bringing expertise from organizations like DeepMind, NASA JPL, Boston Dynamics, NVIDIA, Amazon, Tesla Autopilot, Cruise Self-Driving, Zoox, Toyota Research Institute, and SpaceX, we are set to achieve our ambitious goals.

Be Part of the Next Robotics Revolution
To tackle such ambitious challenges, we need a team as unique as our vision - innovators who go beyond conventional methods and are eager to tackle tough, uncharted questions. We're seeking individuals who challenge the status quo, dive into uncharted territory, and bring interdisciplinary expertise. Our team requires not only top AI talent but also exceptional software developers, engineers, product designers, field deployment experts, and communicators.

We are headquartered in always-sunny Irvine, Southern California and have US based and global teammates. 

Join us, shape the future, and be part of a fun, close-knit team on an exciting journey!



We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Candidates and employees are always evaluated based on merit, qualifications, and performance. We will never discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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