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Neuroscience Engineering Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Astera

In Vitro Neuroscientist

Emeryville, CA · On-site

$60K - $150K/yr

PhD in Neuroscience, Neurobiology, Biomedical Engineering, Physiology, or related discipline * Strong track record of hands-on experimental neuroscience research * Expertise in one or more of the ...

Astera

In Vitro Neuroscientist

Emeryville, CA · On-site

PhD in Neuroscience, Neurobiology, Biomedical Engineering, Physiology, or related discipline * Strong track record of hands-on experimental neuroscience research * Expertise in one or more of the ...

TBC

Computational Neuroscientist

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$180 - $260/hr

Our Algorithm Discovery Platform brings together biology, computational neuroscience, AI research and software engineering to develop new algorithms, architectures and neurally-optimized software for ...

New

nudge

Human Neuroscientist

San Francisco, CA · On-site

A PhD or postdoc in cognitive neuroscience, neuroengineering, or a similar science or engineering field * Strong neuromodulation and neurophysiology first principles * Experience with brain ...

Nudge

Human Neuroscientist

San Francisco, CA · On-site

A PhD or postdoc in cognitive neuroscience, neuroengineering, or a similar science or engineering field * Strong neuromodulation and neurophysiology first principles * Experience with brain ...

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All JobsNeuroscience Engineering JobsNeuroscience Engineering Jobs in California

Neuroscience Engineering information

See California salary details

$34.5K

$91.7K

$170.7K

How much do neuroscience engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for neuroscience engineering in California is $91,739.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $64,600.00 and $112,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is neuroscience engineering?

Neuroscience engineering is an interdisciplinary field that combines principles of neuroscience and engineering to study, model, and manipulate the nervous system. Professionals in this field develop technologies such as brain-computer interfaces, neural implants, and devices for diagnosing or treating neurological disorders. They work at the intersection of biology, electronics, computer science, and mathematics to advance our understanding of the brain and develop innovative medical or research solutions. This field is critical for advancements in neuroprosthetics, neuroimaging, and therapies for conditions like epilepsy or paralysis.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a neuroscience engineer?

To thrive as a Neuroscience Engineer, you need a strong background in neuroscience, biomedical engineering, and computational modeling, typically supported by an advanced degree in a related field. Familiarity with programming languages (such as Python or MATLAB), neuroimaging tools (like fMRI or EEG), and data analysis software is essential. Problem-solving, interdisciplinary collaboration, and effective communication are standout soft skills in this role. These competencies enable the development of innovative neural technologies and foster successful teamwork in complex research or clinical environments.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in neuroscience engineering, and how can they be addressed?

One common challenge in Neuroscience Engineering is navigating the interdisciplinary nature of the field, as it requires collaboration between neuroscientists, engineers, and clinicians. Professionals often need to bridge gaps in communication and coordinate complex research or development projects across different domains. Staying current with advances in both neuroscience and engineering can also be demanding. Building strong cross-functional teams, actively engaging in continuous learning, and fostering open communication channels are effective ways to address these challenges.

What is the difference between Neuroscience Engineering vs Biomedical Engineering?

AspectNeuroscience EngineeringBiomedical Engineering
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Neuroscience, Biomedical Engineering, or related fieldsBachelor's or Master's in Biomedical Engineering, Bioengineering, or related fields
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, healthcare tech companies, universitiesHospitals, medical device companies, research institutions
Industry UsageFocuses on neural systems, brain-computer interfaces, neurotechnologyDesigns medical devices, prosthetics, imaging systems
Common Search/ComparisonNeuroscience Engineering vs Biomedical Engineering

Neuroscience Engineering and Biomedical Engineering share overlapping skills and work environments, but Neuroscience Engineering specializes in neural systems and neurotechnology, while Biomedical Engineering covers a broader range of medical devices and systems. Both fields are vital in advancing healthcare technology and often collaborate in research and development.

Can you go into engineering with a neuroscience degree?

Neuroscience engineering is an interdisciplinary field that combines neuroscience with engineering principles, and individuals with a neuroscience degree can pursue careers in biomedical engineering, neural engineering, or neurotechnology. Gaining skills in programming, electronics, and data analysis, along with relevant internships or certifications, can enhance employment prospects in engineering roles related to neuroscience.

What does a neuroscience engineering do?

A neuroscience engineer designs and develops technologies to study and interface with the nervous system, such as neural implants, brain-computer interfaces, and neuroprosthetics. They often work with interdisciplinary teams, utilize tools like electrophysiology and imaging, and require knowledge of neuroscience, engineering principles, and programming. Their work supports medical treatments, research, and the development of assistive devices.

What are popular job titles related to Neuroscience Engineering jobs in California?

For Neuroscience Engineering jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Neuroscience Engineering jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Neuroscience Engineering jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Neuroscience Engineering jobs?

Cities in California with the most Neuroscience Engineering job openings:

Neuroscience Engineering jobs near you
Infographic showing various Neuroscience Engineering job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 3% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 85% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $91,739 per year, or $44.1 per hour.

Research Scientist/Engineer, Deep Brain Two Photon Imaging and Optogenetics

Astera

Emeryville, CA • On-site

$135K - $220K/yr

Full-time

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

Company Overview
Astera Neuro, part of the Astera Institute, is building the tools to decipher and ultimately write the neural codes behind perception, thought, behavior, and internal state. Since these tools don't yet exist, we're assembling a founding team of neuroscientists, computational scientists, and engineers to build them (hardware, software, and methods) and use them to study neural activity at unprecedented scale, with direct relevance to neurological and psychiatric disease. We do high-risk, high-reward science in a well-resourced, collaborative environment with competitive pay, and share our work openly under Astera's Open Science Policy.
Position Summary
We're hiring a PhD-level scientist/engineer to join Astera Neuro's neuroscience team, working to read, write, and perturb the contents of cognition in the primate brain at single-cell resolution. Astera Neuro is Astera's initiative to decode how patterns of neural activity become the thoughts, perceptions, and memories of conscious experience. We work from the hypothesis that the brain uses a compositional architecture, and we aim to move neuroscience from observation to engineering by reading from and writing to neural circuits at scale.
Your initial assignment is to develop and optimize an optical implant for high resolution two photon imaging and optogenetics deep in the brain. While parallel Astera efforts target surface structures with conventional cranial windows, many key structures for cognition sit in brain sulci, millimeters below the surface. You'll oversee the full toolkit development: optimizing the optics (GRIN lenses, microprisms, micro-objectives), the surgical implantation procedure, and integration with the two photon holographic microscope. The work spans optical engineering to systems and cognitive neuroscience.
The ideal candidate is an experimentalist who can carry the work end-to-end: designing a GRIN lens system in the morning, running a closed-loop holographic write-in on the rig in the afternoon, and writing the population-analysis pipeline that evening. You want institutional support and the freedom to move fast on a problem that matters.
What You'll Do
  • Design and iterate GRIN lens and/or microprism assembly for deep brain imaging in the primate brain, with early optimization in rodents.
  • Develop and help execute the surgical implantation procedure
  • Run two-photon imaging and holographic photostimulation experiments: read population activity during the task, then write in and perturb the held representation at single-cell resolution.
  • Run holographic targeting, power calibration, and closed-loop stimulation on the all-optical rig, working with our optics engineering team.
  • Lead computational analysis of large-scale neural population data, including dimensionality reduction, population decoding, GLMs, and circuit-level inference.
  • Set the viral and transgenic expression strategy, including soma-targeted opsin and GCaMP.
  • Perform rodent survival surgery for the initial validation: stereotaxic viral injection, chronic cranial-window implantation, and headbar installation.
  • Mentor research associates and technicians - and, at the senior or principal level, more junior scientists; contribute to hiring, onboarding, and lab culture.
  • Contribute to publications, talks, open data and tooling releases, and engagement with the broader scientific community.

Who You Are
Required:
  • PhD with 0-4 years of experience in neuroscience, bioengineering, physics, or a related field, or equivalent research experience. We value demonstrated skill and relevant experience above credentials.
  • Hands-on rodent and/or primate survival surgery experience; stereotaxic injections.
  • Hands-on experience with in vivo two-photon calcium imaging and/or holographic (SLM-based) optogenetics in rodents or primates.
  • Practical experience with two-photon systems: optical alignment, system characterization, and in vivo use.
  • Proficiency in scientific computing for neural-data analysis; Python and/or MATLAB, with Suite2p, CaImAn, or comparable pipelines.

Preferred/Nice to Have:
  • ZEMAX modeling
  • Experience with ultrafast pulsed lasers (Ti:Sapphire, fiber) and nonlinear optics.
  • Two-photon optogenetics (SLM-based holography, temporal focusing, or spiral-scanning photostimulation); soma-targeted opsins such as ChRmine.
  • Prior systems neuroscience research in cortex, working memory, decision-making, or motor/premotor circuits.

What We Value
  • Conviction that the brain's internal model can be understood in full, and that getting there requires a kind of science no single academic lab can do; we're betting on scale, deep collaboration across science and engineering, and open sharing of ideas in a full-stack environment.
  • Willingness to be held to an engineering standard: our decisive tests are write-in experiments; constructing a specific percept, thought, or internal state, not merely decoding one. What we cannot build, we do not understand.
  • Comfort building on shared infrastructure rather than private projects; rigs, surgical preparations, and analysis pipelines are standardized so they can be shared, and datasets are designed to stitch across sessions and animals.
  • Commitment to open science; we release tools, data, and methods, and aim to create a new dynamic of rapid, open exchange in neuroscience.

Why Join Us
Research Scientist at Astera Neuro running an all-optical program to read, write, and perturb the content of working memory in the primate cortex at single-cell resolution. You will design the implants, help perform the survival surgeries it depends on, and run the two-photon holographic optogenetics that causally manipulates cognition. This work sits within Astera Neuro's larger effort to answer the hardest and least understood questions in neuroscience: how the brain generates thoughts, intelligence, and consciousness.
Astera Neuro provides a comprehensive benefits package and total compensation that is competitive and commensurate with the level of experience and qualifications.
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity and inclusion!

Apply