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Options Trader Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Industrial Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$81.40 - $122/hr

Evaluate candidate spaces and develop option trade studies (reuse/upgrade/new build) with high-level cost/schedule/risk inputs; present decision-ready recommendations to planners and leadership.

Industrial Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$74K - $100K/yr

Evaluate candidate spaces and develop option trade studies (reuse/upgrade/new build) with high-level cost/schedule/risk inputs; present decision-ready recommendations to planners and leadership.

Senior Trading Consultant

San Diego, CA · On-site +1

$76K - $126K/yr

Maintains a strong working knowledge of equities, options, ETFs, mutual funds, the markets, and the market impact and execution complexities of large trades. * Maintains advanced knowledge of trading ...

Trading Consultant

San Diego, CA · On-site +1

$31.84 - $53.04/hr

Maintains a working knowledge of equity, option, ETF, and mutual fund products, the markets, and the market impact and execution complexities of large trades. In addition, Consultants must maintain ...

Lead, Trade Compliance

San Diego, CA · On-site

$100K - $186K/yr

Job Title: Lead, Trade Compliance - Licensing Job Code: 41431 Job Location: Rochester, NY ... The specific programs and options available to an employee may vary depending on date of hire ...

Showing results 21-40

Options Trader information

See California salary details

$10.9K

$110.9K

$192.9K

How much do options trader jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for options trader in California is $110,897.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48,400.00 and $172,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an options trader?

An Options Trader is a financial professional who buys and sells options contracts on various securities, such as stocks or commodities. They analyze market trends, assess risk, and develop strategies to profit from price movements without owning the underlying asset. Options traders can work for financial institutions, hedge funds, or as independent traders. Their role requires a deep understanding of financial markets, risk management, and the mechanics of options trading.

What is an options trader?

An options trader buys and sells stock options. You typically work for a large investment bank or private hedge fund, managing complex capital investments for clients. Your duties are to create options contracts and develop forecasting models to determine the optimal price to buy an option to maximize profit and minimize risk. You create reports and models that outline financial positions for your clients that will increase value to their portfolio. Many options traders gain job experience working at an investment bank or large commercial bank and possess qualifications like a bachelor’s degree in economics or math.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an options trader, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Options Trader, you need strong analytical skills, mathematical proficiency, a solid understanding of financial markets, and often a degree in finance, economics, or a related field. Familiarity with trading platforms, financial modeling tools, and certifications like the Series 7 or CFA are typically valuable. Exceptional decision-making, stress management, and effective communication help traders excel in high-pressure, fast-moving environments. These skills are crucial for making informed trades, managing risk, and achieving consistent profitability in a competitive market.

What are the main challenges an options trader faces during periods of high market volatility?

As an Options Trader, high market volatility can lead to rapidly changing options prices and increased risk exposure. Navigating these conditions requires quick decision-making, a solid understanding of risk management strategies, and the ability to stay calm under pressure. Traders must constantly monitor their positions, adjust hedges, and communicate effectively with team members, such as risk analysts and portfolio managers, to ensure portfolio stability. Adapting to shifting market conditions and remaining disciplined are key to long-term success in this dynamic environment.

Can options trading be a career?

Options trading can be pursued as a career by individuals such as professional traders, financial analysts, or investment managers who develop expertise in market analysis, risk management, and trading strategies. Success in this field often requires strong analytical skills, knowledge of financial instruments, and access to trading platforms and tools. It is a competitive environment that may involve significant financial risk and the need for relevant certifications or licenses.

How much do options traders make?

Options traders' earnings vary widely based on experience, skill, and trading success. Successful traders can earn from a few thousand dollars annually to six-figure incomes or more, especially if they manage large portfolios or work for firms. Many traders also earn commissions, fees, or bonuses based on performance and trading volume.

What are the most commonly searched types of Options Trader jobs in California?

The most popular types of Options Trader jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Options Trader jobs in California?

For Options Trader jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Options Trader jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Options Trader jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Options Trader jobs?

Cities in California with the most Options Trader job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Options Trader jobs in CA?

For Options Trader jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Options Trader job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 18% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $110,897 per year, or $53.3 per hour.

Industrial Engineer

Qualcomm

San Diego, CA • On-site

$81.40 - $122/hr

Other

Re-posted 17 days ago


Qualcomm rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 11 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

48th of 247 rated software companies


Job description

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.

General Summary

Own and improve lab infrastructure readiness and space utilization by maintaining an accurate power/cooling system of record, performing early feasibility and due diligence, and standardizing planning assumptions. Provide data-driven recommendations that help teams match lab demand to the right spaces and sequence upgrades effectively.

Key Responsibilities
  • System of Record & Data Governance: Maintain an audit-ready inventory of lab infrastructure attributes (power/cooling and key constraints), define data standards, and perform periodic accuracy checks.
  • Site Assessments & Due Diligence: Perform site walks and technical due diligence to validate capacity, identify constraints/risks, and document upgrade needs.
  • Standard Profiles & Planning Assumptions: Develop and maintain repeatable infrastructure profiles and load templates by lab type to enable consistent estimates and comparisons.
  • Feasibility, Trade Studies & Recommendations: Evaluate candidate spaces and develop option trade studies (reuse/upgrade/new build) with high-level cost/schedule/risk inputs; present decision-ready recommendations to planners and leadership.
  • Capacity Modeling, Utilization & Forecasting: Model demand vs. capacity, identify bottlenecks and optimization opportunities, and translate forecasted demand into roadmap triggers and sequencing recommendations.
  • Workflow Fit & Layout Standards: Translate equipment/workflow needs into space requirements; define utilization standards and scorecards to compare spaces on readiness, flexibility, and time-to-ready.
  • Cross-Functional Alignment: Partner with Facilities/QREF, IT/Networking, EHS, and lab operations to validate requirements, align on implementation approaches, and ensure code/safety considerations are addressed.
  • Engineering Lab Development & Optimization: Design and optimize engineering lab layouts, workflows, and material/equipment flows to improve productivity, safety, and utilization.
  • Conduct time studies, capacity modeling, and throughput analysis for lab operations and equipment usage.
  • Support lab deployment, reconfiguration, and scaling initiatives in collaboration with engineering, facilities, IT, and EHS teams.
  • AI & Advanced Analytics Applications: Apply AI/ML techniques (e.g., predictive modeling, clustering, anomaly detection) to lab operations data such as utilization, demand forecasting, failure trends, and space planning.
  • Develop data-driven tools, dashboards, or decision models to support lab planning, asset lifecycle management, and infrastructure prioritization.
  • Partner with data science, IT, or platform teams to operationalize AI solutions within existing enterprise systems.
  • Process Improvement & Standardization: Lead Lean, Six Sigma, or similar process improvement initiatives across lab operations and support workflows.
  • Define standard methodologies, metrics, and KPIs for lab performance, efficiency, and scalability.
  • Support continuous improvement through root cause analysis, experimentation, and data-backed recommendations.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration & Influence: Serve as a technical liaison between engineering teams, lab operations, facilities, and leadership.
  • Translate complex operational data into clear insights, recommendations, and executive-ready materials.
  • Contribute to global lab strategy by identifying best practices, scalability opportunities, and automation candidates.
Core Competencies
  • Lab infrastructure engineering fundamentals (power distribution, UPS/generators, cooling capacity, airflow constraints, heat-load assumptions).
  • Capacity planning and modeling (demand vs. supply, diversity factors, growth scenarios, bottleneck analysis).
  • Data management and governance (system-of-record ownership, data quality checks, audit-ready documentation).
  • Standardization and repeatable frameworks (infrastructure profiles by lab type, scorecards, checklists, planning assumptions).
  • Cross-functional partnership (QREF/Facilities, IT/Networking, EHS, lab operations) to validate requirements and constructability.
  • Codes, standards, and safety mindset (electrical, fire/life safety, chemical and specialty-lab constraints as applicable).
  • Executive-ready communication (clear recommendations, risk escalation, and decision support for governance/leadership).
Primary Deliverables
  • Maintained lab infrastructure system of record (power/cooling inventory, constraints, and periodic accuracy checks).
  • Standard lab-type infrastructure profiles and planning assumptions (load templates, checklists, design criteria).
  • Feasibility assessments and readiness scorecards for candidate spaces (constraints, risks, and required upgrades).
  • Capacity/utilization models and dashboards (demand vs. supply, bottlenecks, and optimization opportunities).
  • Option trade studies with recommendations (reuse/upgrade/new build) including high-level cost/schedule/risk inputs.
  • Forecast-to-plan outputs (roadmap triggers, sequencing recommendations, and build-out priorities).
Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Facilities Engineering, Industrial Architecture or a related field (or equivalent practical experience).
  • 5+ years of relevant experience in lab, facilities, critical environments, manufacturing, or infrastructure planning (design, operations, capacity planning, and/or project delivery).
  • Working knowledge of building electrical distribution and/or cooling concepts (heat-load estimation, airflow constraints, capacity vs. demand).
  • Experience performing site assessments/due diligence and translating findings into feasibility recommendations and documented risks.
  • Strong analytical and communication skills (Excel-based modeling, structured datasets, and cross-functional stakeholder communication).
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience supporting R&D or specialty labs (e.g., high-density compute).
  • Proficiency with reporting/analytics tools (e.g. Power BI) and/or querying data (e.g., SQL); Python is a plus.
  • Experience applying AI/ML (including generative AI) for data quality, document extraction, forecasting/capacity analytics, or decision-support automation, with strong data governance and confidentiality practices.
  • Familiarity with layout tools (e.g., AutoCAD, Visio) and translating test-fits into requirements.
  • Experience developing trade studies and presenting recommendations to governance/leadership.
Certifications (Preferred, Not Required)
  • Professional Engineer (PE) license (Electrical/Mechanical) or Engineer-in-Training (EIT).
  • Project Management Professional (PMP) or equivalent project delivery certification.
EEO Statement

Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer. If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation during the application/hiring process, rest assured that Qualcomm is committed to providing an accessible process. You may e-mail disability-accomodations@qualcomm.com or call Qualcomm's toll-free number. Upon request, Qualcomm will provide reasonable accommodations to support individuals with disabilities to be able participate in the hiring process.

Compensation & Benefits

Pay range: $81,400.00 - $122,000.00. The above pay scale reflects the broad, minimum to maximum, pay scale for this job code for the location for which it has been posted. Salary is only one component of total compensation. Qualcomm also offers a competitive annual discretionary bonus program and opportunity for annual RSU grants. For more information about benefits, refer to Qualcomm's U.S. benefits page.

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About Qualcomm

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Qualcomm is enabling a world where everyone and everything can be intelligently connected. You interact with products and technologies made possible by Qualcomm every day, including 5G-enabled smartphones that double as pro-level cameras and gaming devices, smarter vehicles and cities, and the technology behind the smart, connected factories that manufactured your latest purchase. Our powerful connectivity solutions keep you connected—even in remote areas. Qualcomm 5G and AI innovations are the power behind the connected intelligent edge. You’ll find our technologies behind and inside the innovations that deliver significant value across multiple industries and to billions of people every day.

Industry

Technology, communication and media

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

San Diego, CA, US

Year founded

1985