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Precision Engineering Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Apple

Mechanical Design Engineer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$93K - $127K/yr

If you're a creative problem-solver who thrives at the intersection of complex physics, precision engineering, and real-world manufacturing, we want to hear from you. The Instrumentation PD team sits ...

Atomic Machines

Mechanical Engineer

Santa Clara, CA

... precision automation. The Mechanical Engineering team is at the forefront of designing and developing state-of-the-art hardware solutions through the entire lifecycle of product development - from ...

Atomic Machines

Mechanical Engineer

Emeryville, CA

... precision automation. The Mechanical Engineering team is at the forefront of designing and developing state-of-the-art hardware solutions through the entire lifecycle of product development - from ...

Ontic

Engineering Manager, PMO

Los Angeles, CA · Hybrid

$150K - $165K/yr

Ontic's Chatsworth, CA, site specializes in precision engineering, MRO, and new solutions for parts at risk of obsolescence. With over 1,400 employees across four time zones and seven sites, we have ...

Ontic

Engineering Manager, PMO

Chatsworth, CA · On-site

$150K - $165K/yr

Ontic's Chatsworth, CA, site specializes in precision engineering, MRO, and new solutions for parts at risk of obsolescence. With over 1,400 employees across four time zones and seven sites, we have ...

Attalon, Inc.

Sr Quality Engineer

Murrieta, CA · On-site

$80K - $137K/yr

We're shaping the future of aerospace and defense through precision engineering and cutting-edge manufacturing processes. If you're passionate about innovation and want to lead the development of ...

Merck Group

Senior Mechanical Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$132K - $198K/yr

Your Role At the intersection of precision engineering and scientific innovation, this role offers a rare opportunity to shape the next generation of advanced equipment that powers breakthroughs in ...

Ontic

Quality Engineer

Chatsworth, CA · On-site

$85K - $110K/yr

Ontic's Chatsworth, CA, site specializes in precision engineering, MRO, and new solutions for parts at risk of obsolescence. With over 1,400 employees across four time zones and seven sites, we have ...

Ontic

Quality Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$85K - $110K/yr

Ontic's Chatsworth, CA, site specializes in precision engineering, MRO, and new solutions for parts at risk of obsolescence. With over 1,400 employees across four time zones and seven sites, we have ...

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All JobsPrecision Engineering JobsPrecision Engineering Jobs in California

Precision Engineering information

See California salary details

$12

$31

$56

How much do precision engineering jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for precision engineering in California is $31.14, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.90 and $37.50 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Precision Engineer, you need expertise in mechanical design, materials science, and high-accuracy manufacturing, usually supported by a degree in engineering or a related field. Familiarity with CAD/CAM software, CNC machinery, and industry standards like ISO 9001 is typically required. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork are crucial soft skills for excelling in this role. These competencies ensure the creation of ultra-precise components, reduce errors, and support innovation in industries where tolerances are critical.

What is precision engineering?

Precision engineering is a specialized field of engineering focused on designing, manufacturing, and measuring components and systems with extremely tight tolerances and high accuracy. This discipline is crucial in industries where even the smallest deviation can affect performance, such as aerospace, electronics, and medical device manufacturing. Precision engineers use advanced technologies and processes to ensure that parts and assemblies meet exacting standards, often at the micron or nanometer scale.

What are some common challenges faced by precision engineers when working on complex projects?

Precision engineers frequently encounter challenges related to maintaining extremely tight tolerances, especially when working with intricate components or advanced materials. Ensuring quality and consistency across all stages of the manufacturing process requires close collaboration with design, production, and quality assurance teams. Additionally, adapting to rapidly evolving technologies and integrating new machinery or software can be demanding but also presents opportunities for professional growth. Problem-solving skills and attention to detail are essential to overcome these hurdles and deliver high-quality results.

What is the difference between Precision Engineering vs Mechanical Engineering?

AspectPrecision EngineeringMechanical Engineering
Required CredentialsTypically requires a degree in engineering or related field, often with specialization in precision manufacturing or metrologyRequires a bachelor's or master's degree in mechanical engineering, with broader focus on design, thermodynamics, and mechanics
Work EnvironmentSpecialized manufacturing facilities, laboratories, or research environments focused on high-precision componentsVaried settings including factories, design offices, and research labs for diverse mechanical systems
Industry UsageUsed mainly in industries like aerospace, medical devices, and high-precision manufacturingWidely used across automotive, aerospace, robotics, and general manufacturing sectors

While both Precision Engineering and Mechanical Engineering require a strong engineering background, Precision Engineering focuses on creating and maintaining extremely accurate components and systems, often in specialized environments. Mechanical Engineering covers a broader range of mechanical systems and design, making it more versatile across industries.

What are popular job titles related to Precision Engineering jobs in California? For Precision Engineering jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Precision Engineering jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Precision Engineering jobs in California are:
Precision Engineering jobs near you
Infographic showing various Precision Engineering job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $64,765 per year, or $31.1 per hour.
Mechanical Design Engineer

Mechanical Design Engineer

Apple

Cupertino, CA • On-site

$93K - $127K/yr

Full-time

Posted 26 days ago

Apple rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 661 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

6th of 30 rated technology retailers

Job description

The Instrumentation PD group at Apple designs and develops the test equipment and fixtures that ensure Apple's most iconic products meet the highest quality standards. We're looking for a Mechanical Systems Design Engineer to contribute to the development of novel automated calibration and metrology systems - from early concept through global manufacturing deployment. If you're a creative problem-solver who thrives at the intersection of complex physics, precision engineering, and real-world manufacturing, we want to hear from you.
The Instrumentation PD team sits at the heart of Apple's global manufacturing operations, owning the test equipment and fixtures used to validate product technologies including cameras, health sensing, acoustics, and display. In this role, you'll contribute to the full lifecycle of automated metrology systems - working alongside senior engineers, product designers, operations, software teams, and global system integrators. You'll grow your technical depth across multiple engineering domains while directly influencing the quality of products used by hundreds of millions of people.
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechatronics, or equivalent3+ years of experience in mechanical design with a focus on complex electromechanical systemsStrong mechanical engineering fundamentals including mechanism design, material selection, tolerance analysis (GD&T), and DFMEAHands-on failure analysis experience - able to identify root cause and drive design improvementsExperience working with vendors or contract manufacturers in a product development and manufacturing environmentAbility to work cross-functionally across operations, software, and product design teamsAbility to travel internationally up to 25% to support station validation and factory integration
Master's degree in a relevant engineering fieldExperience with mass-produced electronics manufacturing equipment - structures, sheet metal, plastics, robotics, or automationOpto-mechanical or camera module design experienceProficiency with UG NX or equivalent CAD platformExperience with FEA stress analysis (ANSYS preferred)Familiarity with Apple's NPI process and manufacturing environmentsExperience developing or managing vendor ecosystems, particularly with global system integratorsExperience in project or program managementWritten and verbal Mandarin language skills

What Apple employees say

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Benefits

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Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

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About Apple

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Imagine what you could do here! At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming extraordinary products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your job and there's no telling what you could accomplish. Dynamic, intelligent people and inspiring, innovative technologies are the norm here. The people who work here have reinvented entire industries with all Apple Hardware products. The same real passion for innovation that goes into our products also applies to our practices strengthening our dedication to leave the world better than we found it.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Cupertino, CA, US

Year founded

1976

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