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New Graduate Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

SpaceX

New Graduate Engineer, Software

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$125K - $145K/yr

NEW GRADUATE ENGINEER, SOFTWARE Our SpaceX team is working on the toughest and most audacious projects on our planet: making humanity multiplanetary. As a software engineer on the SpaceX team, you ...

SpaceX

New Graduate Engineer, Software

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$125K - $145K/yr

NEW GRADUATE ENGINEER, SOFTWARE Our SpaceX team is working on the toughest and most audacious projects on our planet: making humanity multiplanetary. As a software engineer on the SpaceX team, you ...

SpaceX

New Graduate Engineer, Software

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$125K - $145K/yr

NEW GRADUATE ENGINEER, SOFTWARE Our SpaceX team is working on the toughest and most audacious projects on our planet: making humanity multiplanetary. As a software engineer on the SpaceX team, you ...

SpaceX

New Graduate Engineer, Software

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

As a software engineer on the SpaceX team, you will demonstrate extreme ownership through detailed and thorough design, testing, and deployment, ultimately seeing your software through all aspects of ...

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All JobsNew Graduate Engineer JobsNew Graduate Engineer Jobs in California

New Graduate Engineer information

See California salary details

$30.1K

$67.7K

$114K

How much do new graduate engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for new graduate engineer in California is $67,718.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $51,300.00 and $73,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between New Graduate Engineer vs Junior Engineer?

AspectNew Graduate EngineerJunior Engineer
Required CredentialsTypically a recent engineering degree; may include internshipsSame as New Graduate Engineer; often entry-level
Work EnvironmentTraining-focused, supervised, entry-level projectsSupervised, supporting ongoing projects, gaining experience
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in engineering firms, construction, manufacturingUsed interchangeably in many industries for entry-level roles

The main difference is that a New Graduate Engineer is often a recent graduate just starting their career, focusing on training and learning. A Junior Engineer may have some work experience but remains in an entry-level position, supporting projects while developing skills. Both roles are similar in credentials and work environment, but 'New Graduate Engineer' emphasizes recent graduation, while 'Junior Engineer' indicates some practical experience.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a New Graduate Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a New Graduate Engineer, you need a solid understanding of engineering fundamentals, problem-solving abilities, and a relevant bachelor's degree in engineering. Familiarity with industry-specific software (such as AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks) and basic project management tools is often expected. Strong communication, teamwork, and a willingness to learn help new engineers adapt quickly and contribute effectively. These skills and qualities are crucial for successfully transitioning from academic settings to solving real-world engineering challenges and collaborating within multidisciplinary teams.

What is a New Graduate Engineer?

A New Graduate Engineer is someone who has recently completed an engineering degree and is beginning their professional career in the engineering field. These individuals typically have little to no full-time work experience in engineering, but they possess the foundational knowledge and skills acquired through their academic studies. New Graduate Engineers often start in entry-level positions, where they receive training, mentorship, and opportunities to work on projects to further develop their technical and professional abilities. Their roles may vary depending on the engineering discipline and employer, but they generally focus on learning the practical aspects of their chosen field.

What are some common challenges new graduate engineers face when transitioning from academia to their first engineering job?

New graduate engineers often find the transition from academia to the workplace challenging due to differences in expectations, pace, and collaboration. Unlike academic projects, real-world engineering roles require balancing multiple tasks, meeting tight deadlines, and working as part of a multidisciplinary team. Communication and adaptability are key, as you'll frequently need to explain technical concepts to non-engineers and quickly adjust to new tools or processes. Seeking feedback, proactively asking questions, and embracing a learning mindset can help ease the adjustment and set you up for long-term success.
What are popular job titles related to New Graduate Engineer jobs in California? For New Graduate Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching New Graduate Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for New Graduate Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for New Graduate Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most New Graduate Engineer job openings:
New Graduate Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various New Graduate Engineer job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $67,718 per year, or $32.6 per hour.
New Graduate Engineer, Software

New Graduate Engineer, Software

SpaceX

Hawthorne, CA • On-site

$125K - $145K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 26 days ago

SpaceX rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 147 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

14th of 71 rated aerospace companies

Job description

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.
NEW GRADUATE ENGINEER, SOFTWARE
Our SpaceX team is working on the toughest and most audacious projects on our planet: making humanity multiplanetary. As a software engineer on the SpaceX team, you will demonstrate extreme ownership through detailed and thorough design, testing, and deployment - ultimately seeing your software through all aspects of its life cycle. You will work with many cross-disciplinary teams and will need to think at a system level to ensure that your code is viable. Our development timelines are quick and you will need to rigorously explore solutions for previously unsolved or unknown problems. Every day, we push the limits of what is possible through innovation, determination, and teamwork to drive the mission to success.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Expect a dynamic role doing what you're best at. Our team is building high-performance flight hardware. Whatever your skill set, you'll be aligned to the part of the program you're most effectively able to contribute to.
  • Develop highly reliable autonomous software systems and the simulations required to validate them.
  • Own all aspects of software development, including design, testing, and integration to the mission.
  • Work with counterpart engineering teams to develop and maintain launch and vehicle software.
  • Get a front row seat to witness an impossible idea manifest in real life. The next few years will be incredibly dynamic as we transition from the challenge of building hardware to actually flying reusable rockets to orbit and deploying complex satellites to orbit.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering or other engineering discipline.
  • Graduating with a bachelor's degree, master's degree, or PhD in 2026 or 2027.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
  • Proven skills and knowledge of C++, Rust, or other systems programming language.
  • Experience building or working with real-time embedded systems or distributed computing systems.
  • Strong focus and interest in designing, architecting, and implementing excellent, bug-free software.
  • Strong critical thinking and first-principles problem-solving skills.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Able to work effectively in a dynamic environment while assuming high levels of responsibility and demonstrating accountability for software outcomes.
  • Experience working at a nimble engineering organization or in a highly technical position that required a scrappy, entrepreneurial manner to accomplish tasks with tight time or budget constraints.
  • Excelled in ultra-competitive environments. You've nailed a podium finish in engineering, math, or science competitions, achieved scores in the top percentile of scholastic or standardized tests, or demonstrated other incredible feats of intellectual achievement.
  • Succeeded in multiple endeavors at once. Maybe you worked through college, were a student athlete, or demonstrated strong work or academic performance in multiple fields.
  • Demonstrated rapid growth. You've held successive positions of increasing responsibility within an organization, were able to get yourself up to speed at a heroic pace, and accomplished something meaningfully difficult early in your career.
  • Success in academics at a rigorous and highly regarded university: minimum GPA 3.5/4.0 or higher, standardized test scores minimum 95th percentile, merit-based scholarship recipient.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
  • Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed.
  • An active clearance may provide the opportunity for you to work on sensitive SpaceX missions; if so, you will be subject to pre-employment drug and random drug and alcohol testing.

COMPETITION AND BENEFITS:
Pay range:
Software Engineering/Level I: $125,000.00 - $145,000.00/per year
Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.
Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.
ITAR REQUIREMENTS:
  • To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX's Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com.

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