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Lab Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

We are currently seeking systems engineers with a passion for technology to develop the next generation of smart, AI-powered wearable devices. In this role, you will partner with research scientists ...

Sr. Lab Engineer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$82K - $110K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • PTO

Onsite Clariant is seeking a Senior Lab Engineer to join the Catalyst Research & Development team in Palo Alto, California. In this role, you will support the development of next-generation catalyst ...

As an SI and PI Engineer; you will work collaboratively with other Advantest technology groups ... Experienced with use of relevant lab instruments (high speed oscilloscopes, VNA, TDR, spectrum ...

As an SI and PI Engineer; you will work collaboratively with other Advantest technology groups ... Experienced with use of relevant lab instruments (high speed oscilloscopes, VNA, TDR, spectrum ...

As an SI and PI Engineer; you will work collaboratively with other Advantest technology groups ... Experienced with use of relevant lab instruments (high speed oscilloscopes, VNA, TDR, spectrum ...

Lab Operations Engineer

Mountain View, CA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Team Red Dog is hiring a Lab Operations Engineer for our client, a leading cloud and software provider and intelligent cloud leader. This hands-on engineering role supports cutting-edge Azure Node ...

New

Lab Operations Engineer

Mountain View, CA

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Team Red Dog is hiring a Lab Operations Engineer for our client, a leading cloud and software provider and intelligent cloud leader. This hands-on engineering role supports cutting-edge Azure Node ...

New

Vehicle Emission Lab Engineer I/II

Chino, CA · On-site

$75K - $110K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The VEL Engineer is responsible for verifying all lab equipment, instrumentation, service and maintenance, calibrations, correlation, and lab compliance to the EPA CFR, CARB CCR and ISO17025 ...

Showing results 21-40

Lab Engineer information

See California salary details

$16

$47

$71

How much do lab engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for lab engineer in California is $47.29, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $36.30 and $59.33 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a lab engineer do?

Lab Engineers are professionals responsible for designing, maintaining, and operating laboratory equipment and systems. They work in various fields such as electronics, chemistry, or biomedical engineering, ensuring experiments and tests are conducted accurately and safely. Lab Engineers also troubleshoot technical issues, calibrate equipment, and often assist researchers or students with their projects. Their work is critical for supporting research and development, quality control, and product testing.

What is a lab engineer?

A lab engineer is responsible for the IT infrastructure of a laboratory. As a lab engineer, your job duties include conducting technical evaluations of hardware equipment and software, deploying code, troubleshooting and fixing issues, maintaining the server and network systems, and coordinating with scientists, lab technicians, system engineers, and operations staff. You need a bachelor’s degree in a technical field and experience with networking principles, middleware platform, and database connectivity. You can find lab engineer jobs in the science and medical research industry.

What are some common challenges faced by lab engineers and how can they be addressed?

Lab Engineers often encounter challenges such as troubleshooting complex equipment malfunctions, managing multiple experiments simultaneously, and ensuring strict adherence to safety protocols. Staying organized and maintaining detailed documentation can help manage workload and prevent errors. Regular communication with team members and ongoing training on new technologies are also essential for staying current and effective in the role.

What is the difference between Lab Engineer vs Laboratory Technician?

AspectLab EngineerLaboratory Technician
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in engineering, science, or related fieldDiploma or associate degree in laboratory technology
Work EnvironmentDesign, develop, and oversee laboratory experiments and equipmentPerform routine tests, prepare samples, and maintain lab equipment
Employer & Industry UsageResearch labs, manufacturing, quality controlMedical labs, research facilities, industrial testing

Lab Engineers focus on designing and managing laboratory processes and equipment, often requiring engineering degrees. Laboratory Technicians perform routine testing and sample preparation, typically with technical diplomas. Both roles are essential in lab settings but differ in responsibilities and qualifications.

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

To thrive as a Lab Engineer, you need a strong background in engineering or applied sciences, analytical problem-solving abilities, and typically a bachelor's degree in a relevant field. Familiarity with lab instrumentation, data acquisition systems, and standard safety protocols is essential, and certifications such as OSHA or Six Sigma can be beneficial. Strong attention to detail, effective communication, and organizational skills set standout candidates apart. These competencies ensure accurate experimentation, reliable results, and a safe, efficient laboratory environment.

What job categories do people searching Lab Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Lab Engineer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Lab Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Lab Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Lab Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $98,360 per year, or $47.3 per hour.

Full-time

Re-posted 18 days ago


Job description

Duration: 6+ months

Meta Reality Labs (RL) brings together a diverse and highly interdisciplinary team of researchers and engineers to create the future of wearable experiences. We are currently seeking systems engineers with a passion for technology to develop the next generation of smart, AI-powered wearable devices. In this role, you will partner with research scientists, hardware engineers, software engineers, and various cross-functional teams to build and run state-of-the-art capture systems. These systems fuel AI research focused on understanding and modeling the physical world. They require researching, implementation and upgrading of new and existing capture systems while running at high volumes and throughputs. The ideal candidate has experience with multi-camera capture systems, capable of quickly learning how to work with new custom devices, including hardware setup, capture, calibration, system upgrades, and data transfer. A qualified candidate will work with software engineers and external partners, suppliers, and researchers to ensure all aspects of the project are covered.

Must-Have Skills:

1 Proficient in working with both Linux and Windows operating systems and using command line. Experience working in a production capture setting. Experience with setting up, maintaining, and working with multi-camera systems, depth sensors, IMUs, and putting these together to collect data in a unified capture system.

2 Experience in debugging, profiling, and troubleshooting both software and hardware issues. Experience working on applied research and/or product development involving joint hardware/software design, development, and integration. Hands-on, resourceful, and creative in problem-solving with a can-do attitude.

3 Curious in learning new and experimental technologies and quick to apply them in day-to-day work. Comfortable communicating with both technical and non-technical audiences by adapting to their background. Experience in working with cross-functional teams on building systems that involve Engineering, Research, Product Design, and external clients.

Nice-to-have Skills:

1 5+ years experience working with capture systems. Experience working in a production capture setting. Experience working with distributed systems and/or cloud services.

2 Proficient and/or familiarity with scripting and automation, such as Python and shell scripts (eg. bash, zsh etc.). Experience with multi-camera systems. Experience working with or using open source software. Experience in fault analysis or failure mode analysis.

3 Experience and knowledge of camera synchronization (eg. Timecode, genlock, etc) and real time systems. Experience taking a system from concept to deployment. Experience working with 3D printers and/or rapid prototyping.