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Quantitative Research Analyst Jobs in California

We are seeking a Quantitative Research Analyst / Desk Quant to join our front-office Commodities Analytics team in Newport Beach. The role will provide direct quantitative support to specialist ...

We are seeking a Quantitative Research Analyst / Desk Quant to join our front-office Commodities Analytics team in Newport Beach. The role will provide direct quantitative support to specialist ...

We are seeking a Quantitative Research Analyst to join us in our Newport Beach, CA office to continue to build upon our expansive quantitative capabilities and help drive new initiatives in our ...

We are seeking a Quantitative Research Analyst to join us in our Newport Beach, CA office to continue to build upon our expansive quantitative capabilities and help drive new initiatives in our ...

Description We're looking for an experienced Market Research Analyst to lead quantitative and qualitative research that shapes product, pricing, and portfolio decisions for one of our most important ...

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Quantitative Research Analyst information

See California salary details

$55.8K

$132.1K

$236.9K

How much do quantitative research analyst jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for quantitative research analyst in California is $132,124.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $110,000.00 and $143,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a quantitative research analyst?

Quantitative Research Analysts are professionals who use mathematical, statistical, and computational techniques to analyze financial and economic data. They develop models to identify trends, forecast market behavior, and support decision-making in areas like investment management, risk assessment, and trading. Their work often involves programming, data analysis, and designing algorithms to solve complex problems. Quantitative Research Analysts are commonly employed by banks, hedge funds, asset management firms, and financial institutions.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a quantitative research analyst?

To thrive as a Quantitative Research Analyst, you need a strong foundation in statistics, mathematics, data analysis, and typically a degree in a quantitative field such as economics, finance, or applied mathematics. Proficiency with programming languages like Python, R, or MATLAB, and experience with statistical software and data visualization tools are commonly required. Attention to detail, critical thinking, and effective communication skills help analysts interpret complex data and present actionable insights. These skills are vital for producing reliable research, informing decision-making, and delivering value in data-driven environments.

How do quantitative research analysts typically collaborate with portfolio managers and other teams in an investment firm?

Quantitative Research Analysts frequently work closely with portfolio managers to develop, test, and refine investment strategies based on data-driven insights. This collaboration often involves presenting research findings, discussing model assumptions, and tailoring quantitative tools to meet specific portfolio objectives. Analysts also interact with technology and data teams to ensure the integrity and accessibility of financial datasets, and may coordinate with risk management professionals to validate model robustness. Effective communication and teamwork are essential, as research outcomes directly influence investment decisions and overall firm performance.

What is the difference between Quantitative Research Analyst vs Data Analyst?

AspectQuantitative Research AnalystData Analyst
Required CredentialsBachelor's or master's in finance, economics, statisticsBachelor's in data science, statistics, or related field
Work EnvironmentFinancial firms, investment banks, hedge fundsCorporations, marketing agencies, tech companies
Employer & Industry UsageFinance, investment, bankingBusiness, marketing, tech
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

While both roles analyze data, Quantitative Research Analysts focus on developing models for financial decision-making, often working in finance and investment sectors. Data Analysts interpret data to inform business strategies across various industries. The key difference lies in their industry focus and the complexity of financial modeling involved.

What job categories do people searching Quantitative Research Analyst jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Quantitative Research Analyst jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Quantitative Research Analyst jobs?

Cities in California with the most Quantitative Research Analyst job openings:

Infographic showing various Quantitative Research Analyst job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 87% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $132,124 per year, or $63.5 per hour.

Quantitative Research Analyst

Newport Beach, CA โ€ข On-site

PIMCO
Finance and Insuranceย โ€ขย 1 - 5K employees

Full-time

Re-posted 29 days ago


Job description

PIMCO is a global leader in active fixed income with deep expertise across public and private markets. We invest our clients' capital across a range of fixed income and credit opportunities, leveraging our decades of experience navigating complex debt markets. Our flexible capital base and deep relationships with issuers have helped us become one of the world's largest providers of traditional and nontraditional solutions for companies that need financing and investors who seek strong risk-adjusted returns.
Since 1971, our people have shaped our organization through a high-performance inclusive culture, in which we celebrate diverse thinking. We invest in our people and strive to imprint our CORE values of Collaboration, Openness, Responsibility and Excellence. We believe each of us is here to help others succeed and this has led to PIMCO being recognized as an innovator, industry thought leader and trusted advisor to our clients.
JOB DESCRIPTION
The commodities business is an important part of PIMCO's investment platform. We are seeking a Quantitative Research Analyst / Desk Quant to join our front-office Commodities Analytics team in Newport Beach. The role will provide direct quantitative support to specialist Portfolio Managers trading listed and OTC derivatives across energy, power, agricultural, metals and soft commodity markets.
The successful candidate will combine rigorous statistical and econometric modelling skills with strong commodities knowledge and practical software-development capabilities. Working closely with Portfolio Managers, traders, quantitative researchers and technologists, the analyst will develop research, risk and pre-trade analytics used to identify relative-value opportunities, manage portfolios and support investment decisions. The role will also contribute to the expansion of analytics coverage across commodity markets and the continued development of the team's technology and AI-enabled research capabilities.
RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Develop quantitative tools and empirical studies to support relative-value analysis, trading-opportunity evaluation and portfolio-management decisions across commodity markets
  • Build, enhance and maintain models that generate risk analytics for existing and prospective commodity positions
  • Develop pre-trade analytics and research tools within the team's Python ecosystem, with an emphasis on robust, scalable and reusable solutions
  • Provide timely quantitative support to Portfolio Managers and traders during US trading hours, including day-to-day risk management and operational analysis
  • Research, back-test and maintain systematic, option and quantitative investment strategies
  • Apply statistical, econometric and machine-learning techniques to commodity-specific datasets and investment problems
  • Contribute to the enhancement of PIMCO's technology infrastructure supporting commodity and quantitative strategies
  • Help broaden analytics coverage across energy, power, metals, agriculture and soft commodities
REQUIREMENTS
  • Master's degree or PhD in mathematics, statistics, econometrics, financial economics, physics, engineering, computer science or another highly quantitative discipline; PhD preferred
  • 2-5 years of relevant experience as a commodity quant supporting a sell-side trading desk or a quantitatively oriented asset manager; exceptional junior candidates with directly relevant doctoral research will also be considered
  • Strong grounding in probability, statistics, econometrics, financial mathematics and empirical research
  • Demonstrated experience modelling commodity-specific processes, ideally across one or more of power, weather, oil, natural gas, metals or agricultural markets
  • Strong statistical and econometric modelling skills; knowledge of risk-neutral derivatives modelling and option analytics is desirable
  • Advanced programming ability in Python with experience delivering reliable analytical or research tools
  • Experience developing risk analytics, systematic-strategy research, option-strategy back-tests or pre-trade analytics
  • Exposure to machine learning, AI engineering or modern data-science techniques is desirable
  • Ability to work closely with Portfolio Managers and traders, communicate complex quantitative concepts clearly and deliver accurate analysis in a time-sensitive front-office environment
  • Collaborative, intellectually curious and self-directed, with strong attention to detail and a commitment to high-quality research and implementation
PIMCO follows a total compensation approach when rewarding employees which includes a base salary and a discretionary bonus. Base salary is the fixed component of compensation that is determined by core job responsibilities, relevant experience, internal level, and market factors. The discretionary bonus is used to award performance and therefore is determined by company, business, team, and individual performance.
Salary Range: $ 165,000.00 - $ 240,000.00
Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Statement
PIMCO recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, national origin, ancestry, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity and expression), age, military or veteran status, disability (physical or mental), any factor prohibited by law, and as such affirms in policy and practice to support and promote the concept of equal employment opportunity and affirmative action, in accordance with all applicable federal, state, provincial and municipal laws. The company also prohibits discrimination on other basis such as medical condition, or marital status under applicable laws.
Applicants with Disabilities
PIMCO is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. We provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities, including veterans, in job application procedures. If you have any difficulty using our online system due to a disability and you would like to request an accommodation, you may contact us at 949-720-7744 and leave a message. This is a dedicated line designed exclusively to assist job seekers with disabilities to apply online. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.