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Product Engineering Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Product Engineer

Glendale, CA ยท On-site

$38.46 - $48.08/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • PTO

As a key contributor in our NPD process, you'll own the engineering journey from concept through production and continuous improvement. This is a hands-on, collaborative role where design meets ...

Principal, System Product Engineering

Milpitas, CA ยท On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As a System Product Engineer within the Advanced Product Development team, you will play a key role in enabling new technologies and driving product innovation. Core Responsibilities * Lead system ...

$192.40 - $252.52/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Director, Advanced Product Engineering will drive the development and delivery of advanced cooling solutions for probe card technologies. This role is responsible for defining technical vision ...

Principal, System Product Engineering

Milpitas, CA ยท On-site

$142K - $235K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As a System Product Engineer within the Advanced Product Development team, you will play a key role in enabling new technologies and driving product innovation. Core Responsibilities * Lead system ...

Director AV Product Engineering

Sunnyvale, CA ยท On-site

$440K - $580K/yr

The role As Director of Engineering you will manage the Product Engineering group within our AI Engineering organisation. You will report to the VP of Autonomy. The role is on the critical path to ...

Director of RF Systems/Product Engineering

Sunnyvale, CA ยท On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

Director of RF Systems/Product Engineering About this Job The Director of RF Systems/Product Engineering is a senior technical leadership role that owns the systems engineering function across Eridan ...

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Showing results 41-60

Product Engineering information

See California salary details

$52.3K

$142.2K

$202.3K

How much do product engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for product engineering in California is $142,185.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $86,800.00 and $202,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some typical challenges faced by product engineers when collaborating with cross-functional teams?

Product engineers often work closely with design, manufacturing, and marketing teams, which can present challenges such as aligning diverse priorities, managing timelines, and ensuring clear communication. Balancing technical feasibility with customer requirements and business goals requires strong collaboration and problem-solving skills. Successfully navigating these challenges can lead to more innovative products and a smoother development process.

What is product engineering?

Product engineering is the process of designing, developing, testing, and refining products from initial concept to final production. It involves a multidisciplinary approach that combines engineering principles with market requirements to create products that are functional, cost-effective, and manufacturable. Product engineers work closely with designers, manufacturers, and other stakeholders to ensure the product meets both technical specifications and user needs. The goal is to deliver high-quality products efficiently while managing factors such as cost, performance, and reliability.

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

To thrive as a Product Engineer, a solid background in engineering principles, product design, and manufacturing processes is essential, typically supported by a degree in mechanical, electrical, or related engineering fields. Familiarity with CAD software, prototyping tools, and quality assurance systems is commonly required. Strong problem-solving, creativity, and communication skills help stand out in this role. These competencies are crucial for developing innovative, reliable products and ensuring successful collaboration from concept to production.

What is the difference between Product Engineering vs Software Engineering?

AspectProduct EngineeringSoftware Engineering
FocusDesigning, developing, and managing specific products from concept to deploymentDeveloping and maintaining software applications and systems
SkillsProduct lifecycle management, cross-functional collaboration, user experienceProgramming, system architecture, coding best practices
Work EnvironmentCollaborative teams with product managers, designers, and engineersDevelopment teams focused on coding, testing, and deployment
CertificationsProduct management certifications (e.g., PMP, Agile)Software development certifications (e.g., Microsoft, AWS)

Product Engineering involves creating and managing specific products, emphasizing user needs and product lifecycle. Software Engineering focuses on coding and system development. Both roles often collaborate but serve different aspects of product creation and maintenance.

Infographic showing various Product Engineering job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 79% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $142,185 per year, or $68.4 per hour.

Product Engineer

SMP Engineering

Glendale, CA โ€ข On-site

$38.46 - $48.08/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Posted 22 days ago


Job description

Product Engineer
SALARY - $38.46-48.08/hr (85-100k a year)
Onsite – Glendale, CA | SMP Engineering, Inc

At SMP Engineering, Inc, we create innovative custom machinery for our client and we’re looking for a Product Engineer to help bring the next generation of ideas to life.

If you thrive in NPD (New Product Development), love turning concepts into real-world products, and believe that the best ideas come from iteration (and a little failure), you’ll fit right in with our philosophy: fail often, fail fast—and build something better every time.

What You’ll Do:
As a key contributor in our NPD process, you’ll own the engineering journey from concept through production and continuous improvement. This is a hands-on, collaborative role where design meets manufacturing.
  • Lead and support new product development (NPD) efforts from ideation to launch.
  • Translate concepts into detailed engineering designs using SolidWorks and similar tools.
  • Partner cross-functionally with design, sourcing, and manufacturing teams to ensure feasibility and efficiency.
  • Drive prototyping, testing, and iteration cycles (fail fast, learn faster).
  • Optimize products for cost, durability, manufacturability, and sustainability.
  • Troubleshoot production challenges and continuously improve existing products.

What You Bring:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
  • 3+ years of experience in Product Engineering / Design Engineering / Product Development Engineering, ideally in an NPD-focused environment.
  • Strong proficiency in 3D CAD tools (SolidWorks preferred).
  • Deep understanding of materials, manufacturing processes, and quality standards.
  • Experience in industrial machinery manufacturing.
  • A problem-solving mindset with the ability to manage multiple projects at once.
  • Strong collaboration and communication skills.

What SMP Engineering Offers:
  • Competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.
  • Health, dental, and vision insurance, STD insurance, PTO, STO, Paid Holidays.
  • Opportunities for professional growth and development.
  • A collaborative and innovative, self-management work environment.

How to Apply:
Submit your resume and a brief cover letter to jobs@smp-eng.com with the subject line: Product Engineer Application – [Your Name] or apply directly on Indeed/Linked-In. All applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.