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Lab Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Aetherflux

Optics Lab Manager & Test Engineer

San Carlos, CA · On-site

$145K - $223K/yr

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

About the Role : The Integration & Test team is looking for an Optics Lab Manager & Test Engineer to own our optics lab and support the build and verification of our next generation laser ...

Socket.dev

Optics Lab Manager & Test Engineer

San Carlos, CA · On-site

$145 - $223/hr

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

About the Role The Integration & Test team is looking for an Optics Lab Manager & Test Engineer to own our optics lab and support the build and verification of our next generation laser ...

Plasmidsaurus Inc

Lab Robotics Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$175K - $235K/yr

As a Lab Robotics Engineer at Plasmidsaurus, you will play a crucial role in automating and optimizing our sample processing pipeline. You'll be directly responsible for developing, deploying, and ...

Acara Solutions

Lab Service Engineer

Fremont, CA

$32.29/hr

Lab Service Engineer Location: Fremont, CA Employment Type: Contract Industry: Semiconductor Compensation: $32.29/ hour About the Opportunity: We're seeking a hands-on Lab Service Engineer to support ...

Apple

PCB Materials Lab Manager

San Diego, CA · On-site

Our PD Materials Engineering team is dedicated to creating and refining these materials. We partner ... Description As the PCB Materials Lab Manager, you'll provide daily oversight to a team of ...

Advantest America

SI / PI Lab Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

As an SI and PI Engineer; you will work collaboratively with other Advantest technology groups, Business Units, partners, and suppliers to develop and integrate advanced electrical and mechanical ...

Archer

Sr. Lab Test Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$130K - $158K/yr

Utilize lab test equipment and Archer's simulation environment to set up test cases, validate system requirements, and investigate issues * Lead collaborative efforts with aircraft system engineers ...

Amazon

Optical Test Lab Engineer, Amazon Leo OISL

Northridge, CA · On-site

$138K - $179K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

We are seeking an Optical Test Lab Engineer to join our Prototyping and Integration (PI) Team. In this role, you will build, bring up, operate, and maintain optical test setups and characterization ...

Prolim Global

Laboratory Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

Collaborate with team members to troubleshoot issues and resolve problems, being sure to communicate to Lab Manager and Lab Engineer. Participate in continuous improvement initiatives to optimize ...

Cisco

Laboratory Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$123K - $169K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Meet the Team We are looking for an experienced Lab Engineer / Lab Administrator to manage and support our Hardware Development Lab, enabling the successful development, validation, and debugging of ...

Cisco

Laboratory Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$123K - $169K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Meet the Team We are looking for an experienced Lab Engineer / Lab Administrator to manage and support our Hardware Development Lab, enabling the successful development, validation, and debugging of ...

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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.
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Lab Engineer jobs near you
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.

Optics Lab Manager & Test Engineer

Aetherflux

San Carlos, CA • On-site

$145K - $223K/yr

Full-time

Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted yesterday

Job description

Cowboy Space Corp. is building the infrastructure to power and connect the orbital economy. Our satellites operate in Low Earth Orbit to collect sunlight and enable a new class of capabilities-from powering on-orbit compute, to transmitting energy via infrared lasers (space-to-earth and space-to-space), powering on-orbit compute to delivering secure, high-bandwidth optical data. By rethinking how energy and data are generated and distributed in space, we're unlocking entirely new ways to operate both in orbit and on Earth.
Founded in 2024 by Baiju Bhatt (co-founder of Robinhood), Cowboy Space Corp. is backed by leading investors and built by a team from top aerospace and defense organizations. We're moving quickly to solve complex technical challenges and build a new category of space infrastructure.
About the Role:
The Integration & Test team is looking for an Optics Lab Manager & Test Engineer to own our optics lab and support the build and verification of our next generation laser communications system. This is a hands-on role at the center of our hardware development - you will work directly alongside optical and photonics engineers during complex builds, alignments, and verification campaigns. The ideal candidate is technically strong, highly organized, and at home in a high-power laser lab.
Responsibilities:
  • Own lab operations including equipment calibration schedules, inventory, and configuration management of test setups.
  • Maintain laser safety requirements including interlocks, PPE, and posted procedures in coordination with the Laser Safety Officer.
  • Assist engineers with setup and alignment of free-space optical assemblies, interferometric subassemblies, and fiber-optic components.
  • Support integration and alignment of deployable opto-mechanical assemblies.
  • Support field demonstration campaigns including ground station setup, fiber-optic system checkout, and pointing, acquisition, and tracking (PAT) system validation.
  • Execute formal test procedures and record results accurately.
  • Operate test equipment including OSAs, optical power meters, oscilloscopes, BER testers, and beam profilers.
  • Maintain lab documentation including cable and fiber routing logs, component records, and test configurations.
  • Coordinate with facilities on lab infrastructure, power, and safety requirements.

Basic Qualifications:
  • 3+ years of hands-on experience in an optical or photonics lab environment.
  • Experience operating standard optical test equipment (OSAs, power meters, oscilloscopes, beam profilers).
  • Ability to perform precision optical alignment on a bench.
  • Familiarity with Class 3B and Class 4 laser safety requirements.
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to documentation.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience with high-power fiber laser or amplifier systems.
  • Experience handling and assembling precision opto-mechanical hardware including interferometric or polarization-sensitive assemblies.
  • Experience supporting environmental test campaigns (thermal-vacuum, vibration) for optical hardware.
  • Experience managing a shared lab across multiple engineers and programs.
  • Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Optical Technology, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or related field.

Compensation and Benefits
The salary range for this position is $145,000 - $223,000 annually. The actual base salary offered will depend on factors such as job-related skills, experience, qualifications, and internal equity.
  • Equity in Cowboy Space Corp.
  • Employees and their eligible dependents may enroll in medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • 401(k) retirement savings plan
  • Paid time off
  • 10 paid holidays per calendar year
  • Paid parental leave
  • Relocation assistance if applicable
  • Daily lunch in the office and a fully stocked kitchen with beverages and snacks

ITAR Requirements
  • Export Control Requirement: To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about ITAR here.

Disclaimer
This job description is a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the job and position. It is not intended to be a comprehensive or all-inclusive listing of duties and responsibilities. Contents are subject to change at Cowboy Space Corp.'s discretion.
Cowboy Space Corp. is an equal employment opportunity employer. We consider individuals for employment or promotion according to their skills, abilities and experience. Cowboy Space Corp. is committed to complying with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religious creed, age, national origin, ancestry, physical, mental or developmental disability, sex (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and medical conditions relating to pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding), veteran status, military status, marital or registered domestic partnership status, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics), genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, as well as any other category protected by federal, state or local laws.

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