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Precision Engineering Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

KLA Corporation

Mechanical Design Engineer

Milpitas, CA

$117K - $200K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Good understanding of mechanical engineering fundamentals, physics, and precision engineering. * Experience designing assemblies operating in vacuum, UHV, or cleanroom environments. * Knowledge of ...

KLA Corporation

Mechanical Design Engineer

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$117K - $200K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Good understanding of mechanical engineering fundamentals, physics, and precision engineering. * Experience designing assemblies operating in vacuum, UHV, or cleanroom environments. * Knowledge of ...

Orbotech

Mechanical Design Engineer

Milpitas, CA

$117K - $200K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Good understanding of mechanical engineering fundamentals, physics, and precision engineering. * Experience designing assemblies operating in vacuum, UHV, or cleanroom environments. * Knowledge of ...

Vantedge Medical

Weld Operator II

San Jose, CA · On-site

$30 - $35/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

We are at the forefront of precision engineering and innovation, specializing in the development and manufacturing of vital components for medical markets such as Robotic Assisted Surgery ...

Ontic

Engineering Manager, PMO

Los Angeles, CA · Hybrid

$150K - $165K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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 ...

Merck Group

Senior Mechanical Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$132K - $198K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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 ...

Marquee Staffing - OC

Be Seen First

Precision Small Parts Assembler (4/10 schedule)

Santa Rosa, CA · On-site

$19 - $24/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

Open to training if you have an aptitude for precision parts under a microscope or prior ... Collaborate closely with team members, supervisors, and engineers to meet production goals and ...

Intuitive

Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$105K - $145K/yr

Apply precision engineering principles, tolerance-driven design, and best practices for robust mechanical integration. Cross-Functional Collaboration * Work closely with Optics, Electrical ...

Jaffa Precision Engineering

Be Seen First

CNC Machinist

Riverside, CA · On-site

$25 - $50/hr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

We offer superior part production for complex applications. With over 30 years of building relationships and producing our customer's requests to the tee, we now have an amazing opportunity for a ...

Vantedge

MRB/RMA Coordinator

San Jose, CA · On-site

$25 - $30/hr

We are at the forefront of precision engineering and innovation, specializing in the development and manufacturing of vital components for medical markets such as Robotic Assisted Surgery ...

Vantedge Medical

MRB/RMA Coordinator

San Jose, CA · On-site

$25 - $30/hr

We are at the forefront of precision engineering and innovation, specializing in the development and manufacturing of vital components for medical markets such as Robotic Assisted Surgery ...

Intuitive

Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$105K - $145K/yr

Apply precision engineering principles, tolerance-driven design, and best practices for robust mechanical integration. Cross-Functional Collaboration * Work closely with Optics, Electrical ...

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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 Aug 15, 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?

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.

Is precision engineering a good career?

Precision engineering is a specialized field focused on designing and manufacturing highly accurate components, often requiring skills in CAD software, measurement tools, and quality control. It offers opportunities in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and medical devices, with a demand for technical expertise and certifications. The career can be stable and rewarding for those interested in technical problem-solving and detailed work.

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 does a precision engineer do?

A precision engineer designs, develops, and maintains highly accurate mechanical components and systems, often working with advanced manufacturing tools like CNC machines and coordinate measuring machines. They focus on ensuring parts meet strict tolerances and quality standards, typically working in environments that require detailed measurement and calibration skills.

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 August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $64,765 per year, or $31.1 per hour.

Mechanical Design Engineer

KLA Corporation

Milpitas, CA

$117K - $200K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 26 days ago

Job description

Company Overview

KLA is a global leader in diversified electronics for the semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem. Virtually every electronic device in the world is produced using our technologies. No laptop, smartphone, wearable device, voice-controlled gadget, flexible screen, VR device or smart car would have made it into your hands without us. KLA invents systems and solutions for the manufacturing of wafers and reticles, integrated circuits, packaging, printed circuit boards and flat panel displays. The innovative ideas and devices that are advancing humanity all begin with inspiration, research and development. KLA focuses more than average on innovation and we invest 15% of sales back into R&D. Our expert teams of physicists, engineers, data scientists and problem-solvers work together with the world's leading technology providers to accelerate the delivery of tomorrow's electronic devices. Life here is exciting and our teams thrive on tackling really hard problems. There is never a dull moment with us.

Group/Division

With over 40 years of semiconductor process control experience, chipmakers around the globe rely on KLA to ensure that their fabs ramp next-generation devices to volume production quickly and cost-effectively. Enabling the movement towards advanced chip design, KLA's Global Products Group (GPG), which is responsible for creating all of KLA's metrology and inspection products, is looking for the best and the brightest research scientist, software engineers, application development engineers, and senior product technology process engineers. The RAPID division is the world leading provider of reticle inspection solutions for the semiconductor industry. The company provides inspection solutions to both the mask shops and the semiconductor fabs to ensure that lithography yields are consistently high thus enabling cost-effective manufacturing.

Job Description/Preferred Qualifications

The Mechanical Design Engineer will support a major redesign of an existing semiconductor inspection module involving Ultra-High Vacuum (UHV), High Voltage (HV), precision mechanical assemblies, and complex electro-mechanical interfaces. The engineer will be responsible for mechanical design, analysis, documentation, prototype development, assembly support, supplier engagement, and product lifecycle support.

The candidate will work closely with systems, electron optics, electrical, manufacturing, process, and supplier teams to deliver robust and manufacturable designs while maintaining system performance, reliability, serviceability, and cost objectives.

Responsibilities

  • Develop mechanical designs for UHV and HV subsystems, assemblies, and supporting hardware.

  • Create detailed 3D CAD models, assemblies, engineering drawings, and BOMs.

  • Apply GD&T principles, tolerance stack-up analysis, and error budgeting methodologies.

  • Support redesign efforts for existing products with emphasis on reliability, manufacturability, and serviceability improvements.

  • Conduct engineering analyses including structural, thermal, vibration, and finite element analysis (FEA).

  • Participate in design reviews and support release of production documentation.

  • Work with suppliers to develop fabrication methods, resolve manufacturability issues, and improve component quality.

  • Support assembly, integration, qualification, and troubleshooting activities.

  • Investigate failures and drive root-cause corrective actions.

  • Collaborate across Mechanical, Electrical, Systems, Electron Optics, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Service organizations.

  • Support prototype builds and product introduction into manufacturing.

Desired Skills and Experience

  • Good understanding of mechanical engineering fundamentals, physics, and precision engineering.

  • Experience designing assemblies operating in vacuum, UHV, or cleanroom environments.

  • Knowledge of high-voltage system considerations including insulation, creepage, clearance, and electrical interfaces.

  • Experience with GD&T, tolerance analysis, and precision mechanical design.

  • Familiarity with vacuum-compatible materials, cleaning requirements, and contamination control practices.

  • Working knowledge of machining, sheet metal fabrication, welding, brazing, and precision manufacturing processes.

  • Experience supporting prototype builds, troubleshooting, and qualification testing.

  • Strong communication and teamwork skills.

  • Proficiency with Creo/ProE or similar 3D CAD platforms.

  • Experience with FEA and engineering simulation tools.

Minimum Qualifications

Doctorate (Academic) Degree and 0 years related work experience; Master's Level Degree and related work experience of 3 years; Bachelor's Level Degree and related work experience of 5 years

Base Pay Range: $117,800.00 - $200,300.00 AnnuallyPrimary Location: USA-CA-Milpitas-KLAKLA's total rewards package for employees may also include participation in performance incentive programs and eligibility for additional benefits including but not limited to: medical, dental, vision, life, and other voluntary benefits, 401(K) including company matching, employee stock purchase program (ESPP), student debt assistance, tuition reimbursement program, development and career growth opportunities and programs, financial planning benefits, wellness benefits including an employee assistance program (EAP), paid time off and paid company holidays, and family care and bonding leave.

Interns are eligible for some of the benefits listed. Our pay ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed reflects the pay for this position in the primary location identified in this posting. Actual pay depends on several factors, including state minimum pay wage rates, location, job-related skills, experience, and relevant education level or training. We are committed to complying with all applicable federal and state minimum wage requirements where applicable. If applicable, your recruiter can share more about the specific pay range for your preferred location during the hiring process.

KLA is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We will ensure that qualified individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us attalent.acquisition@kla.com or at +1-408-352-2808 to request accommodation.

Be aware of potentially fraudulent job postings or suspicious recruiting activity by persons that are currently posing as KLA employees. KLA never asks for any financial compensation to be considered for an interview, to become an employee, or for equipment. Further, KLA does not work with any recruiters or third parties who charge such fees either directly or on behalf of KLA. Please ensure that you have searched KLA's Careers website for legitimate job postings. KLA follows a recruiting process that involves multiple interviews in person or on video conferencing with our hiring managers. If you are concerned that a communication, an interview, an offer of employment, or that an employee is not legitimate, please send an email to talent.acquisition@kla.com to confirm the person you are communicating with is an employee. We take your privacy very seriously and confidentially handle your information.

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