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Physics Startup Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Radiant

Nuclear Engineer, Core Physics

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$106K - $146K/yr

About Radiant Radiant is an El Segundo, CA-based startup building the world's first mass-produced ... About the Role Radiant is a seeking a Nuclear Engineer, Core Physics responsible for designing and ...

UniversalAGI

AI Product Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Competitive Salary + Equity Who We Are UniversalAGI is building OpenAI for Physics. AI startup based in San Francisco and backed by Elad Gil (#1 Solo VC), Eric Schmidt (former Google CEO), Prith ...

UniversalAGI

Technical Product Manager

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$196K - $227K/yr

Competitive Salary + Equity Who We Are UniversalAGI is building OpenAI for Physics . AI startup based in San Francisco and backed by Elad Gil (#1 Solo VC), Eric Schmidt (former Google CEO), Prith ...

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$5

$19

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How much do physics startup jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for physics startup in California is $19.80, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.36 and $25.14 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a physics startup?

A physics startup is a company that leverages advancements in physics to develop new technologies, products, or services. These startups often focus on innovative solutions in areas like quantum computing, advanced materials, medical devices, or energy. Physics startups typically emerge from academic research or collaborations and aim to commercialize scientific breakthroughs. They play a crucial role in bringing cutting-edge physics research to market, driving technological progress and economic growth.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive at a physics startup, and why are they important?

To thrive at a physics startup, you need a strong background in physics or engineering, problem-solving abilities, and preferably an advanced degree in a relevant field. Familiarity with simulation software, lab instrumentation, and data analysis tools—as well as experience with prototyping and product development—are often essential. Initiative, adaptability, and strong collaboration skills help individuals excel in the dynamic and fast-paced environment of a startup. These skills enable innovative solutions, efficient progress, and effective teamwork, which are crucial for the success and growth of a physics-focused startup.

What are some typical challenges faced when working at a physics startup, and how can I prepare for them?

Working at a physics startup often involves navigating rapid changes, limited resources, and a need for creative problem-solving. You'll likely be required to wear multiple hats, adapt quickly, and contribute outside your core area of expertise. Effective communication and teamwork are essential, as teams are typically small and highly collaborative. Preparing by developing flexibility, strong project management skills, and a proactive attitude will help you thrive in this dynamic environment.

What is the difference between Physics Startup vs Physics Research Scientist?

AspectPhysics StartupPhysics Research Scientist
Required CredentialsTypically requires a Bachelor's or Master's in Physics or related field; some roles may prefer PhDUsually requires a PhD in Physics or a closely related discipline
Work EnvironmentFast-paced, entrepreneurial, often in office or lab settings, with a focus on product development or innovationAcademic or institutional labs, research centers, with focus on experiments and theoretical work
Employer & Industry UsageStartups, tech companies, R&D firms focusing on new technologies or applicationsUniversities, government labs, research institutions

Physics startups focus on applying physics principles to develop new products or technologies in a dynamic environment, often requiring entrepreneurial skills. Physics research scientists primarily conduct experiments and theoretical research in academic or institutional settings. Both roles require strong physics backgrounds but differ in work environment and objectives.

What are popular job titles related to Physics Startup jobs in California?

For Physics Startup jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Physics Startup jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Physics Startup jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Physics Startup jobs?

Cities in California with the most Physics Startup job openings:

Physics Startup jobs near you
Infographic showing various Physics Startup job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 81% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 16% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $41,184 per year, or $19.8 per hour.

Research Fellow - Physics and Energy

Stealth Startup

Fremont, CA • On-site

Other

Posted 15 days ago

Job description

We are a frontier artificial-intelligence laboratory, still in stealth, established for a single purpose: to build an AI capable of original discovery — a system that does not merely retrieve and recombine what is already known, but reasons toward genuinely new understanding of the problems put to it. We hold that an instrument able to truly discover is among the most consequential technologies humanity will ever build, and we are building it.

Our system has already produced results beyond the reach of any human team. We have demonstrated its power on a small number of problems. The purpose of this fellowship is to establish how far that power extends.

This is an invitation to bring a small number of researchers who will form the inaugural cohort of the Infinity Fellowship who will spend a year aiming this instrument at the hardest unsolved problems in their fields.

You choose the problems — the ones shelved because they demanded a decade. You carry each from formulation to validated result. You publish as lead author.

The terms are plain: a full-time salaried appointment of roughly one year, hybrid in the San Francisco East Bay, with relocation support and visa sponsorship for international Fellows. It pays like a strong postdoc. No background in AI is required; we weigh the ability to learn above experience with any method.

The application takes ten minutes to begin: your CV, and a few sentences on the problem you would start with. The full one-page proposal — why it has resisted solution, what its solution would make possible — can follow.

https://pfa.zto77.com/apply-physics-energy-climate


We are seeking experts to drive advancements broadly across physics, but with a special focus on:

Condensed Matter & Quantum Materials, Plasma Physics & Nuclear Fusion, Fluid Dynamics & Statistical Mechanics, Quantum Information & Quantum Computing Theory, Photonics & Metamaterial Engineering, Astrophysics & High-Energy Physics


Proposals received by August 30 will be considered first for the inaugural cohort, which convenes in late September. Every application receives an answer within a week.Few are present, in any era, at the founding of a new instrument of discovery.Bring the problem worth your year.

Apply