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First Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Fortinet, Inc.

Sr. Software Dev QA Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$112K - $137K/yr

First-to-Touch Next-Gen Technology: You will be the very first engineer to power on, validate, and stress-test brand-new hardware models and flagship security capabilities long before general release.

Fortinet, Inc.

Sr. Software Dev QA Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$112K - $137K/yr

First-to-Touch Next-Gen Technology: You will be the very first engineer to power on, validate, and stress-test brand-new hardware models and flagship security capabilities long before general release.

Jiffy

Sr. Software Development Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$131K - $173K/yr

In an AI-first org, writing is the programming interface. * A high level of integrity, accountability, and ownership, with a commitment to excellence across every deliverable. * Desire to work in a ...

Jiffy

Sr. Software Development Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$144K - $190K/yr

In an AI-first org, writing is the programming interface. * A high level of integrity, accountability, and ownership, with a commitment to excellence across every deliverable. * Desire to work in a ...

Luminary Cloud

Customer Success Engineer

San Mateo, CA · On-site

You are an AI first engineer who is comfortable prototyping applications using Claude/Codex/Cursor * You enjoy solving complex problems, strive to find the best solutions, and use empathy to approach ...

Coupang

Senior Staff ll, AI Engineer (L7-2)

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$123K - $169K/yr

About the Role We are looking for a Sr. Staff ll, AI Native, AI First Engineer to pioneer and architect entirely new applications where Generative AI and Large Language Models (LLMs) serve as the ...

Worky

AI Platform Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

We're hiring multiple AI Platform Engineers to help build the foundation of an AI-first engineering organization. This is a high-impact role where you'll own the infrastructure, developer platform ...

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Showing results 41-60

All JobsFirst Engineer JobsFirst Engineer Jobs in California

First Engineer information

See California salary details

$38.5K

$100.4K

$135.7K

How much do first engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for first engineer in California is $100,420.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $82,900.00 and $115,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between First Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectFirst EngineerMechanical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in engineering or related field; often requires experience in project managementBachelor's degree in mechanical engineering; may require licensure or certification
Work EnvironmentConstruction sites, industrial plants, or project sites; often involved in overseeing initial phases of projectsDesign offices, manufacturing plants, or R&D labs; focused on design, analysis, and testing
Employer & Industry UsageConstruction, oil & gas, or heavy industry; used for lead or senior roles in project initiationManufacturing, automotive, aerospace, and energy sectors; common for design and development roles

First Engineers typically oversee early project phases and require experience in project management, while Mechanical Engineers focus on design, analysis, and testing within manufacturing or R&D environments. Both roles require engineering degrees but differ in responsibilities and work settings.

How to get a first engineer job?

To secure a first engineer position, candidates should develop relevant technical skills through education or training, build a portfolio of projects, and gain practical experience via internships or entry-level roles. Strong problem-solving abilities, proficiency with engineering tools, and effective communication are also important for success in the hiring process.

What do beginner first engineers do?

Beginner first engineers typically assist with basic tasks such as troubleshooting, testing, and maintaining systems or equipment. They often work under supervision, learn industry tools and safety protocols, and focus on gaining practical experience in engineering environments.

What does a first engineer do?

A first engineer is an entry-level engineering professional responsible for assisting in design, development, and testing of engineering projects. They often perform routine tasks, follow technical instructions, and work under supervision to gain experience and develop skills in their field.

What cities in California are hiring for First Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most First Engineer job openings:

First Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various First Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $100,420 per year, or $48.3 per hour.

Sr. Software Dev QA Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA • On-site

Fortinet, Inc.
Network Security • 10K+ employees
Learn more about Fortinet, Inc.external

$112K - $137K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired 1 day ago. Applications are no longer accepted.

Key responsibilities

  • Power on, validate, and stress-test new hardware models and flagship security capabilities before market release.

  • Collaborate with hardware and software development teams to ensure new platforms meet security, stability, and performance standards.

  • Design and execute test plans, reproduce complex customer topologies, and identify system-level defects.

Job description


The FortiGate New Product Introduction (NPI) QA team operates at the leading edge of platform and hardware innovation. As the specialized verification team for new product launches, we are the first to get hands-on access to next-generation FortiGate hardware models, major platform architectural updates, and advanced hardware/software integration modules before they enter the market.
Our team collaborates closely with core hardware and software development teams from early prototype phases to production release, ensuring every new platform meets enterprise-grade standards for security, stability, and high performance.
What Makes This Role Exciting?
  • First-to-Touch Next-Gen Technology: You will be the very first engineer to power on, validate, and stress-test brand-new hardware models and flagship security capabilities long before general release.
  • Deep System & Platform Scope: The work bridges the entire stack-from board-level hardware verification, firmware/BIOS security, and low-level subsystem auditing to advanced networking protocols and next-generation connectivity.
  • Direct Influence on Product Quality: Working alongside platform developers and hardware architects, your diagnostic insights and edge-case testing directly shape product reliability and architecture across Fortinet's flagship product line.
  • Dynamic, High-Impact Engineering: Every project brings new hardware architectures, specialized subsystem modules, and complex network environments, offering continuous technical challenges beyond standard QA routines.

Job Qualifications & Experience
  • Senior-Level Experience: 5+ years of hands-on QA/testing experience focused on network security appliances, routing, switching, and firewall platforms.
  • Network & Security Expertise: Deep hands-on experience configuring, validating, and troubleshooting enterprise firewalls/NGFWs (FortiGate or comparable platforms), including routing protocols (BGP, OSPF), IPsec/SSL VPN, HA clusters, NAT, DNS, and DHCP.
  • Troubleshooting & Traffic Analysis: Strong diagnostic skills using packet capture analysis tools (Wireshark) and CLI-based debugging to isolate network anomalies and system-level defects.
  • Virtualization & Cloud Environments: Practical experience deploying and managing network topologies across hypervisors (VMware ESXi, KVM, Proxmox) and public cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP). Containerization knowledge (Docker, Kubernetes) is a strong plus.
  • System Administration: Solid Linux administration and system-level troubleshooting skills, including CLI navigation, network interface configuration, and performance monitoring.
  • QA Methodology & Test Design: Proven track record of designing comprehensive test plans, reproducing complex customer topologies, and driving edge-case defect discovery under tight project deadlines.
  • Scripting (Secondary/Supportive): Basic to intermediate scripting proficiency (Python or Bash) for test execution, environment setup, or log parsing.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Relevant networking or security certifications (e.g., Fortinet FCP/FCSS, Cisco CCNP/CCIE).
  • Familiarity with hardware-level diagnostics and performance/stress testing tools (e.g., Spirent, Ixia/Keysight).
  • Experience with automated test execution frameworks (Pytest, Robot Framework) or basic AI-assisted testing workflows.

Educational Requirement:
Bachelor's or master's degree in computer science/Engineering, or equivalent
Must be authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.
The US base salary range for this full-time position is $112,000-$137,000. Fortinet offers employees a variety of benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, 401(k), 11 paid holidays, vacation time, and sick time, as well as a comprehensive leave program.
Wage ranges are based on various factors, including the labour market, job type, and job level. Exact salary offers will be determined by factors such as the candidate's subject knowledge, skill level, qualifications, experience, and geographic location.
All roles are eligible to participate in the Fortinet equity program. Bonus eligibility is reviewed at the time of hire and annually at the Company's discretion.
Why Join Us:
We encourage candidates from all backgrounds and identities to apply. We offer a supportive work environment and a competitive Total Rewards package to support you with your overall health and financial well-being.
Embark on a challenging, enjoyable, and rewarding career journey with Fortinet. Join us in bringing solutions that make a meaningful and lasting impact to our 890,000+ customers around the globe.

Apply