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Inventor Contract Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Sustaining Engineer

Irvine, CA

$98K - $120K/yr

... contract manufacturers as well as working alongside the quality department to resolve quality or ... Inventor) Familiarity with DFM/DFA and manufacturing processes (e.g., molding, fabrication ...

Drafter / Designer -

Hemet, CA · On-site

$20 - $38/hr

Interpret engineering drawings, customer specifications, and contract documents. * Prepare shop ... Autodesk Inventor (3D) * Steel fabrication experience * Construction industry experience * Water or ...

Drafter / Designer -

Hemet, CA · On-site

$20 - $38/hr

Interpret engineering drawings, customer specifications, and contract documents. * Prepare shop ... Autodesk Inventor (3D) * Steel fabrication experience * Construction industry experience * Water or ...

Sustaining Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$98K - $120K/yr

... contract manufacturers as well as working alongside the quality department to resolve quality or ... Inventor) • Familiarity with DFM/DFA and manufacturing processes (e.g., molding, fabrication ...

Experience using Autodesk AutoCAD, Autodesk Inventor, Bentley MicroStation and/or Bentley ... Contract Administration: Prepare and administrate construction contracts. * Standards and ...

Interpret engineering drawings, customer specifications, and contract documents. * Prepare shop ... Autodesk Inventor (3D) * Steel fabrication experience * Construction industry experience * Water or ...

Sr. VDC Engineer

Newport Beach, CA · On-site

$120K - $140K/yr

... contract language in coordination with VDC Manager for trade buyout Basic Qualifications We are ... Inventor, etc. * Design and Construction authoring/management programs Education & Technical ...

Sr. VDC Engineer

Newport Beach, CA · Hybrid

$120K - $140K/yr

... contract language in coordination with VDC Manager for trade buyout Basic Qualifications We are ... Inventor, etc. * Design and Construction authoring/management programs Education & Technical ...

Demonstrated ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, contract documentation, and ... Inventor, AutoCAD, Solidworks, CFDesign, and Cosmos. Must be proficient in MS Word, Excel ...

Sr. VDC Engineer

Newport Beach, CA · On-site

$120K - $140K/yr

... contract language in coordination with VDC Manager for trade buyout Basic Qualifications We are ... Inventor, etc. * Design and Construction authoring/management programs Education & Technical ...

Senior Manufacturing Engineer

Rohnert Park, CA · On-site

$100K - $137K/yr

Senior Manufacturing Engineer Rohnert Park, CA, USA • Permanent contract • As soon as possible ... Working knowledge and use of 3D CAD such as Inventor or SolidWorks * Hands-on ability to work with ...

Sr. VDC Engineer

Pasadena, CA · Hybrid

$120K - $140K/yr

... contract language in coordination with VDC Manager for trade buyout Basic Qualifications We are ... Inventor, etc. * Design and Construction authoring/management programs Education & Technical ...

Senior Manufacturing Engineer

Rohnert Park, CA · On-site

$100K - $137K/yr

Senior Manufacturing Engineer Rohnert Park, CA, USA • Permanent contract • As soon as possible ... Working knowledge and use of 3D CAD such as Inventor or SolidWorks * Hands-on ability to work with ...

Senior Manufacturing Engineer Rohnert Park, CA, USA • Permanent contract • As soon as possible ... Working knowledge and use of 3D CAD such as Inventor or SolidWorks * Hands-on ability to work with ...

Proficiency in CAD software (SolidWorks, Autodesk Inventor) Understanding of winding techniques ... We offer excellent opportunities for contract, temporary, temp-to-hire, and direct assignments. We ...

Autocad Drafter

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$20 - $30/hr

Experience with 3D modeling or drafting (such as AutoCAD 3D, Inventor, SolidWorks, Revit, or ... Job Type & Location This is a Contract position based out of Pacoima, CA. Pay and Benefits The pay ...

Showing results 21-40

Inventor Contract information

See California salary details

$29

$48

$97

How much do inventor contract jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for inventor contract in California is $48.29, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $40.58 and $50.05 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as an Inventor in a contract role, you need a strong background in engineering, product design, or scientific research, often supported by a degree in a related field and a proven track record of successful prototypes or patents. Familiarity with CAD software, rapid prototyping tools, and intellectual property management systems is highly beneficial. Creative thinking, problem-solving, and clear communication are valuable soft skills for collaborating with clients and development teams. These skills ensure that innovative solutions can be efficiently developed, protected, and brought to market in a competitive environment.

What are the typical responsibilities and workflow for an inventor contract?

As a contract Inventor, your responsibilities usually include conceptualizing new products, developing prototypes, conducting market or technical feasibility studies, and refining designs based on feedback. You'll often coordinate with clients, engineers, and product managers to align inventions with specific project goals, timelines, and technical requirements. The workflow is generally project-based and deadline-driven, with frequent opportunities to pitch ideas, collaborate in multidisciplinary teams, and present findings or prototypes. This arrangement allows for a high degree of autonomy, creative input, and the potential to work on a diverse range of innovative challenges.

What is an inventor contract?

An Inventor Contract job involves working as an independent creator who develops new products, technologies, or ideas under a contractual agreement. These contracts typically outline ownership rights, compensation, confidentiality, and the scope of work. Inventors may collaborate with companies, startups, or research institutions to bring innovations to market. The contract ensures both parties understand their responsibilities and benefits.

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

The most popular types of Inventor jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Inventor Contract jobs in California?

For Inventor Contract jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Inventor Contract jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Inventor Contract jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Inventor Contract jobs?

Cities in California with the most Inventor Contract job openings:

Infographic showing various Inventor Contract job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $100,448 per year, or $48.3 per hour.

$98K - $120K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 20 days ago


Job description

Cryoport Systems is the life science industry's most trusted provider of supply chain solutions for temperature-sensitive materials, serving biopharmaceutical, IVF and surrogacy and animal health organizations around the world. Cryoport Systems' proprietary Cryoport Expressshippers, CryoportalLogistics Management Platform, leading-edge SmartpakCondition Monitoring System and geo-sensing technology paired with unparalleled logistics expertise and 24/7/365 customer support, make Cryoport Systems the end-to-end temperature controlled supply chain partner that you can trust.

Summary


The Sustaining Engineer is responsible for the ongoing support, maintenance, and continuous improvement of Cryoport is existing products, systems, and accessories. This role ensures products remain reliable, manufacturable, compliant, and aligned with customer and operational needs throughout their lifecycle. The position works closely with Quality, Operations, Supply Chain, and Product Management to resolve issues, implement improvements, and maintain robust engineering documentation and change control.


Role:


As a Sustaining Engineer, you will focus on maintaining and improving released products and processes, including:
Supporting day-to-day engineering needs for existing products and accessories
Leading root cause investigations, participate in the Material Review Board (NCM, CAPAis, etc.), and implementing corrective actions
Driving product and process improvements for quality, cost, and reliability
Managing engineering changes through ECO and Change Control processes
Supporting design, manufacturing, assembly, field (at the manufacturer, LC) issue resolution, and assist in process improvements
Maintaining and updating engineering documentation and specifications
Ensuring compliance with internal standards and applicable regulations
Collaborating cross-functionally to sustain product performance and supply continuity

Key Responsibilities:


Consult with the primary engineering owner for released products to understand the design intent
Troubleshoot product, manufacturing, and field issues and implement solutions
Lead root cause analysis (RCA) and corrective/preventive actions (CAPA)
Initiate and execute engineering changes (ECOs) as required for design changes and follow existing product development processes in the concept, design, testing and implementation of product improvements
Update drawings, BOMs, specifications, and assist with work instructions updates where needed
Support suppliers and contract manufacturers as well as working alongside the quality department to resolve quality or supply issues
Identify and implement cost reduction and product optimization opportunities (including, but not limited to, leveraging off the shelf solutions first in determining product optimization solutions)
Monitor product performance and drive continuous improvement initiatives (and collaborate with Product Management)
Support validation, verification, and testing as needed for changes
Ensure proper documentation and adherence to quality systems (e.g., cGMP, ISO)
Provide technical support to internal teams (Operations, Quality, Commercial, Marketing)

Assist with revalidation activities as required
Communicate with cross functional teams of projectis status
Ensure that project learnings are integrated into future design plannings and executions

Core Competencies:


Product development engineering experience
Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
Experience with root cause analysis and structured problem-solving methods
Knowledge of change control and configuration management
Solid understanding of manufacturing processes and product lifecycle support
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills
Detail-oriented with a focus on quality and compliance

Preferred Skills:


Experience in cold chain, cryogenic systems, or temperature-controlled packaging
Familiarity with relevant standards (ISTA, ASTM, ISO, IATA)
Working knowledge of cGMP and regulated environments
Experience with Six Sigma, Lean, or similar continuous improvement tools
Data analysis skills (Excel, statistical tools)
Experience supporting contract manufacturers and global supply chains

Qualifications:


Education
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field
Experience
2-10+ years of experience in sustaining engineering, manufacturing engineering, or product support

Experience supporting released products in production and field environments
Thermal dynamics knowledge and experience is highly recommended
Strong background in engineering change management (ECO/ECR)
Strong experience with CAD tools (e.g., SolidWorks, Inventor)
Familiarity with DFM/DFA and manufacturing processes (e.g., molding, fabrication, assembly)
Experience working in regulated industries is a plus

Technology Skills
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (especially Excel)
Experience with CAD (Solidworks, Inventor or the like) and PLM/document management systems
Familiarity with data analysis and reporting tools

Personal Attributes
Ownership mindset with a focus on product reliability and performance
Proactive, hands-on problem solver

Strong collaborator across functions and teams
High level of integrity, accountability, and attention to detail
Continuous improvement mindset

Compensation: up to $130,000 depending on experience + bonus + stock + benefits