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Junior Systems Engineer Jobs in Santa Rosa, CA (NOW HIRING)

Senior Automation/Controls Engineer

Santa Rosa, CA · On-site

$134.40 - $249.60/hr

  • Medical

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Maintain source control, documentation, and change records for all control system work* Lead or contribute to capital project scoping, scheduling, and execution* Mentor junior engineers; collaborate ...

Senior Salesforce Engineer

Bodega Bay, CA · Remote

$128K - $157K/yr

Deliver high quality technical solutions that empower the teams to utilize the Salesforce systems ... and guide junior developers, providing technical leadership and support. (5%) (Must haves ...

Project Geotechnical Engineer

Santa Rosa, CA

$91K - $120K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

... junior staff, collaborate with multidiscipline teams, and engage with clients ... Our teams work on challenging and interesting projects including bridges, transit systems, roadways ...

Senior Backend Engineer - AI Platform

Bodega Bay, CA · On-site +1

$145K - $191K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Craft systems designs, lead design decisions, and drive alignment with other senior engineers ... Conduct code reviews (comment, approve, seek revisions, merge), mentor junior and mid-level ...

Senior Backend Engineer - AI Platform

Bodega Bay, CA · On-site +1

$145K - $191K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Craft systems designs, lead design decisions, and drive alignment with other senior engineers ... Conduct code reviews (comment, approve, seek revisions, merge), mentor junior and mid-level ...

Sr. R&D Engineer

Santa Rosa, CA · On-site

$114K - $156K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Serve as a technical mentor to junior engineers and technicians, fostering a culture of curiosity ... Deep working knowledge of FDA Quality System Regulations, ISO 13485, design controls, risk ...

Sr. R&D Engineer

Santa Rosa, CA · On-site

$114K - $156K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Serve as a technical mentor to junior engineers and technicians, fostering a culture of curiosity ... Deep working knowledge of FDA Quality System Regulations, ISO 13485, design controls, risk ...

Sr. R&D Engineer

Santa Rosa, CA · On-site

$114K - $156K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Serve as a technical mentor to junior engineers and technicians, fostering a culture of curiosity ... Deep working knowledge of FDA Quality System Regulations, ISO 13485, design controls, risk ...

Principal Equipment Engineer

Bodega Bay, CA

$150K - $180K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

... systems. * Mentorship & Support: Act as a technical resource for maintenance technicians and mentor junior equipment engineers through design reviews, troubleshooting sessions, and technical ...

Principal RFIC Design Engineer - TeraWave

Bodega Bay, CA · On-site

$213K - $298K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Knowledge of DSP and communications systems including spread spectrum, forward error correction, and modulation types (OFDM, QPSK, QAM, PCM/FM, PAM) * Experience mentoring junior engineers Base Pay ...

Showing results 21-40

Junior Systems Engineer information

See Santa Rosa, CA salary details

$26.2K

$93.4K

$161.3K

How much do junior systems engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for junior systems engineer in Santa Rosa, CA is $93,380.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $68,300.00 and $95,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a junior systems engineer?

Junior Systems Engineers are entry-level professionals who assist in designing, implementing, and maintaining computer systems and networks. They work under the supervision of senior engineers, helping to troubleshoot issues, configure hardware and software, and ensure system reliability. Their role often includes monitoring system performance, supporting IT projects, and learning industry best practices. This position is ideal for recent graduates or those new to the field, providing valuable hands-on experience and opportunities for growth.

What does a junior systems engineer do?

A junior systems engineer helps develop and maintain all computer systems for a business. As a junior systems engineer, your typical job duties involve installing, monitoring, and troubleshooting operating systems, software, hardware, and other computer infrastructure. For this career, you need a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field. Additional qualifications include system administrative experience, excellent technical skills, and familiarity with common programming languages. A junior systems engineer is an entry-level position that often serves as a stepping stone for this career.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a junior systems engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Junior Systems Engineer, you need a solid understanding of computer systems, networking fundamentals, and troubleshooting, usually supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with operating systems (such as Windows and Linux), scripting languages, and common IT certifications like CompTIA or Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) is highly valuable. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication help you excel in problem-solving and collaborating with teams. These skills and qualifications are crucial for ensuring system reliability, timely issue resolution, and smooth technical operations in an organization.

What are some common challenges faced by junior systems engineers during their first year on the job?

Junior Systems Engineers often encounter challenges such as adapting to complex IT environments, learning new tools and technologies quickly, and understanding existing system architectures. They may also need to develop effective troubleshooting skills while balancing multiple tasks and deadlines. Collaborating with senior engineers and cross-functional teams is key, as it helps build technical knowledge and confidence in problem-solving within real-time production environments.

What are popular job titles related to Junior Systems Engineer jobs in Santa Rosa, CA?

For Junior Systems Engineer jobs in Santa Rosa, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Junior Systems Engineer jobs in Santa Rosa, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Junior Systems Engineer jobs in Santa Rosa, CA are:

What cities near Santa Rosa, CA are hiring for Junior Systems Engineer jobs?

Cities near Santa Rosa, CA with the most Junior Systems Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Junior Systems Engineer job openings in Santa Rosa, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 5% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $93,380 per year, or $44.9 per hour.

Senior Automation/Controls Engineer

Viavi Solutions

Santa Rosa, CA • On-site

$106K - $139K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 21 hours ago


Job description

Summary:
VIAVI (NASDAQ: VIAV) is a global provider of network test, monitoring and assurance solutions for telecommunications, cloud, enterprises, first responders, military, aerospace, and railway. VIAVI is also a leader in light management technologies for 3D sensing, anti-counterfeiting, consumer electronics, industrial, automotive, government and aerospace applications.
We are the people behind the products that help keep the world connected at home, school, work, at play, and everywhere in between. VIAVI employees are passionate about supporting customer success and we welcome people who bring their best every day to the company - to question, to collaborate and to push for solutions that will delight our customers.
Duties & Responsibilities:
The Role
VIAVI Solutions manufactures advanced optical thin-film and pigment coating products across a 24/7 production environment in Santa Rosa, CA, with additional sites in China and Arizona. This Controls Engineer position balances two priorities: keeping automation running in an active manufacturing operation, and leading new capital project work - machine installations, system upgrades, and next-generation automation platforms. For the right candidate, this role has a clear path into engineering leadership and management of VIAVI's Automation Controls group.
⚙ Manufacturing Support
  • Resolve PLC/HMI faults rapidly to restore production
  • Support planned maintenance windows and change deployments
  • Drive root cause analysis and corrective actions
  • Improve control logic, alarming, and system reliability
  • Partner closely with maintenance and operations teams

🔧 New Capital Projects
  • Own automation scope on new machine installations
  • Define PLC/HMI/network architecture for new systems
  • Manage vendors, FAT/SAT, and project documentation
  • Commission and validate systems into Operations

Key Responsibilities
  • Design, develop, and maintain PLC and HMI systems for manufacturing equipment
  • Commission new automation hardware and software; integrate with existing infrastructure
  • Configure and commission motor drives, motion systems, and closed-loop control systems
  • Design and administer SQL databases; manage industrial networks (Profibus, Ethernet/IP, OPC)
  • Maintain source control, documentation, and change records for all control system work
  • Lead or contribute to capital project scoping, scheduling, and execution
  • Mentor junior engineers; collaborate across Operations, Maintenance, and Engineering teams
  • Demonstrate communication and leadership skills aligned with future management growth

Pre-Requisites / Skills / Experience Requirements:
Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls, Automation, or equivalent experience
  • 5+ years in industrial controls/automation in a manufacturing environment
  • PLC programming: Siemens Step 7 / TIA Portal or Mitsubishi GX Developer
  • Experience supporting automation in 24/7 or continuous production environments
  • Programming with Visual Studio, C#
  • End-to-end ownership of capital project automation scope
  • HMI development, industrial networking, SQL databases, source code management
  • Strong troubleshooting skills; ability to read electrical schematics and P&IDs
  • Excellent communication skills; occasional international travel required

Preferred Skills
  • Allen-Bradley / Rockwell or Honeywell PLC platforms
  • LabVIEW, Wonderware System Platform, Oracle, Linux, Windows administration
  • Vision systems, vacuum coating processes, optics knowledge
  • Prior team-lead experience

Leadership & Management Growth Path - High performers will have the opportunity to eventually lead the Controls team technically and move into formal management of VIAVI's Automation Controls Engineering group. Growth is supported through stretch assignments, leadership visibility, and formal development planning.
If you have what it takes to push boundaries and seize opportunities, apply to join our team today.
VIAVI Solutions is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer - minorities/females/veterans/persons with disabilities.
Job Posting Pay Range:
134,400
to
249,600
Exceptional qualifications, experience and location may impact salary. VIAVI offers a competitive benefits package that includes paid time off, health, life and disability insurance, 401(k), and a bonus program.