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Research And Development Engineer Jobs in California

R&D Engineer_Human Factors

Milpitas, CA ยท On-site

$70 - $72/hr

Title: R&D Engineer_Human Factors Location: Milpitas, California Duration: 12Months 100% Onsite Years Experience: * Minimum of 8+ years of relevant human factors/usability engineering experience in ...

Research & Development Manager

Santa Monica, CA ยท On-site

$135K - $160K/yr

Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, etc.), Food Science, Pharmaceutical Science or related field * 3-6 years of experience working in product development, R&D, and/or regulatory affairs within the ...

R&D Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA ยท On-site

$150K - $220K/yr

The R&D Engineer will perform in-depth research on high-performance computing algorithms, evaluate competitive approaches, and help translate complex mathematical concepts into computationally ...

Staff R&D Engineer-Algorithm

San Jose, CA ยท On-site

$210K - $288K/yr

Staff R&D Engineer-Algorithm Department: Research & Development Employment Type: Full Time Location: US-California-San Jose Compensation: $210,100 - $288,900 / year Description We are looking for a ...

Research & Development Manager

Walnut Creek, CA ยท On-site

$130K - $150K/yr

The Manager, Research & Development will be responsible for supporting the development and ... Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, or related field (Master's preferred). * 6 ...

R&D Engineer

Menlo Park, CA ยท On-site

$45 - $50/hr

Title: R&D Engineer Location: Menlo Park, CA Duration: 12 Months 100% Onsite Experience: * plus 0-6 years of related work experience with a complete understanding of specified functional area, Skills:

The Manager, Research & Development will be responsible for supporting the development and ... Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, or related field (Master's preferred). * 6 ...

Research & Development Manager

Walnut Creek, CA ยท On-site

$130K - $150K/yr

The Manager, Research & Development will be responsible for supporting the development and ... Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, or related field (Master's preferred). * 6 ...

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Research & Development Chemist

Oceanside, CA ยท On-site

$95K - $120K/yr

Bachelor's or Master's in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related scientific discipline * 3+ years of industrial R&D experience (advanced degrees may substitute for some ...

Showing results 21-40

Research And Development Engineer information

See California salary details

$19.7K

$95.3K

$149K

How much do research and development engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for research and development engineer in California is $95,306.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $76,500.00 and $115,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Research And Development Engineer vs Product Development Engineer?

AspectResearch And Development EngineerProduct Development Engineer
Primary FocusInnovating and exploring new technologies or conceptsDesigning, developing, and improving specific products
Work EnvironmentLabs, research facilities, early-stage projectsManufacturing, testing, and product launch phases
Required CredentialsEngineering degree, research experience, possibly advanced degreesEngineering degree, practical product design experience

Research And Development Engineers focus on creating new technologies and exploring innovative ideas, often working in labs and research settings. Product Development Engineers concentrate on transforming concepts into market-ready products, working closely with manufacturing and testing teams. Both roles require engineering backgrounds, but their core objectives and work environments differ significantly.

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

To thrive as a Research and Development Engineer, you need a solid background in engineering principles, problem-solving abilities, and often an advanced degree in a relevant field. Familiarity with CAD software, simulation tools, and project management systems is typically required, along with knowledge of industry-specific standards. Creativity, effective communication, and collaboration are crucial soft skills for innovation and teamwork. These skills enable R&D Engineers to design cutting-edge solutions, efficiently manage projects, and drive technological advancements in their industry.

Is research and development engineer a good career?

A research and development engineer is a valuable role focused on innovating and improving products or processes, often requiring strong technical skills and knowledge of engineering principles. It can offer good job stability, opportunities for advancement, and involvement in cutting-edge projects, making it a promising career choice for those interested in innovation and problem-solving.

What is a research and development engineer?

A research and development engineer is responsible for conducting experiments and analyzing processes to determine better approaches to solving problems or product building. You can have this career in industries such as petroleum, aerospace, and mechanics. Your job duties include analyzing processes to find areas of improvement, conducting experiments to determine better approaches, and documenting findings so they can be shared with others. You may be required to use sophisticated tools such as computer-aided design software to create simulations and advanced microscopes for observing chemical reactions.

How does a research and development engineer typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during the product development cycle?

Research and Development Engineers often work closely with teams such as product management, quality assurance, and manufacturing throughout the product development process. They contribute technical expertise during brainstorming sessions, share progress updates in regular meetings, and incorporate feedback from other departments to refine prototypes. Effective communication and teamwork are key, as R&D Engineers must ensure that their designs align with project requirements, regulatory standards, and production capabilities. This collaborative environment helps facilitate innovation while maintaining project timelines and product quality.

What does a research and development engineer do?

A research and development engineer designs, develops, and tests new products, processes, or technologies to improve existing offerings or create innovative solutions. They often work with scientific principles, use tools like CAD software, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to bring concepts from idea to prototype or production. Strong problem-solving skills and knowledge of engineering fundamentals are essential in this role.
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What cities in California are hiring for Research And Development Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Research And Development Engineer job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Research And Development Engineer jobs in CA? For Research And Development Engineer jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Research And Development Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $95,306 per year, or $45.8 per hour.

Senior Thermal Engineer, Research & Development

Qnity

Sunnyvale, CA โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Posted 6 days ago


Job description

Are you looking to power the next leap in the exciting world of advanced electronics? Do you want to help solve problems that drive success in the rapidly evolving technology and connectivity landscape? Then bring your problem-solving, passion, and creativity to help us power the next leap in electronics.

At Qnity, we're more than a global leader in materials and solutions for advanced electronics and high-tech industries - we're a tight-knit team that is motivated by new possibilities, and always up for a challenge. All our dedicated teams contribute to making cutting-edge technology possible. We value forward-thinking challengers, boundary-pushers, and diverse perspectives across all our departments, because we know we play a critical role in the world enabling faster progress for all. Learn how you can start or jumpstart your career with us.

Are you looking to power the next leap in the exciting world of advanced electronics?Do you want to help solve problems that drive success in the rapidly evolving technology and connectivity landscape? Then bring your problem-solving, passion, and creativity to help us power the next leap in electronics.

AtQnity, we're more than a global leader in materials and solutions for advanced electronics and high-tech industries - we're a tight-knit team that is motivated by new possibilities, and always up for a challenge. All our dedicated teams contribute to making cutting-edge technology possible. We value forward-thinking challengers, boundary-pushers, and diverse perspectives across all our departments, because we know we play a critical role in the world enabling faster progress for all. Learn how you can start or jumpstart your career with us.

Qnity's Silicon Valley Technology Center

The Qnity Silicon Valley Technology Center (SVTC) is a place where customers find end-to-end support solving their most critical and complicated electronic materials challenges. SVTC is Qnity's premier applications development & engineering center of excellence located in the heart of Silicon Valley, with more than 10,000 square feet of state-of-the-art application laboratories spanning rapid prototyping, reliability testing, process development, and advanced analytical characterization, the team of engineers working at SVTC has all the resources they need to help customers solve their problems. As a leverage research & development organization, engineers at SVTC get to work with all of Qnity's vast materials portfolio, with a local market focus in emerging domains such as consumer electronics, humanoid robotics, aerospace & defense, next gen automotive, and semiconductor industries.

Senior Thermal Engineer in Research & Development

Qnity's SVTC is seeking a highly skilled Senior Thermal Engineer to join our leveraged R&D organization, where we do customer-facing applications engineering work focused on enabling the next generation of technology for local Silicon Valley OEMs. The Senior Thermal Engineer is expected to become the local Subject Matter Expert (SME) in thermal engineering and will join a highly skilled team of other local SMEs covering additional areas such as metrology, optics, mechanical, and electrical engineering. Together, the SME team works closely with additional local engineering support in the laboratories with the shared common goal of working closely with Silicon Valley customers and delivering solutions to their materials challenges.

The successful candidate will provide technical leadership in planning and executing a comprehensive research and development program, including scale-up, focused on thermal materials engineering, heat transfer, and mechanical design for advanced electronics and semiconductor applications. This work will be driven by both internal and external customer needs, particularly in high-performance and electronic systems. Working collaboratively within cross-functional project teams, the candidate will contribute to the development of next-generation thermal management solutions, including thermal interface materials (TIMs), heat spreaders, encapsulants, and advanced composite systems aligned with key business objectives. A core responsibility of this role is to identify and create commercial value in thermally functional materials and systems by leveraging deep expertise in heat transfer, thermal conductivity enhancement, and structure-property-performance relationships in engineered materials.

Primary Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Lead applications development projects related to mechanical design and mechanical systems for local customers
  • Drive customer solutions from concept to commercialization
  • Work closely with other SMEs at SVTC to form a close-knit engineering team capable of rapidly solving any customer problem
  • Respond rapidly and with high motivation to customer needs and opportunities as they arise; be comfortable with changing priorities as customer needs evolve
  • Engage with Silicon Valley customers to understand their needs and proactively support their next generation of technology
  • Connect the broader Qnity R&D organization to local Silicon Valley opportunities; be a regional leader in mechanical and thermal engineering expertise
  • Represent Qnity SVTC in industry consortium and at conferences
  • Deliver technical training and seminars to internal teams and external partners as necessary
  • Mentor junior engineers and contribute to their technical and professional development

Required Qualifications:

  • M.S. degree in mechanical engineering or closely related field, with
  • 2-3 years of directly applicable engineering work experience with thermal materials and thermal management technologies
  • Demonstrated expertise in thermal interface materials (TIMs), gap fillers, phase-change materials, dielectric materials, or thermally conductive composites for electronics applications
  • Experience with semiconductor packaging, power electronics cooling, or high-performance computing thermal challenges is highly desirable
  • Demonstrated expertise in thermal design, characterization, reliability testing, and process development working with thermal materials such as but not limited to TIM1,1.5, and 2 materials
  • Knowledge of structure-property relationships in thermally conductive materials, including particle-filled systems, hybrid materials, and anisotropic heat conduction designs
  • Strong fundamentals in heat transfer, phase change materials, thermal modeling, and thermal characterization techniques
  • Proficiency with some specific and standard thermal and thermomechanical design and modeling software packages such as Anysis, Comsol, SolidWorks, AutoCAD, etc.
  • Proficiency with specific thermal characterization tools and methods such as LFA, DSC, TGA, IR thermotherapy, TIM testers, Phase 12, hot disk, etc.
  • Strong technical curiously, able to learn quickly, and very comfortable working outside core areas of expertise and with cross-functional teams
  • Strong analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills
  • Track record of successful customer engagement and project leadership
  • Familiar with project management best practices such as Agile, Stage Gate, etc.
  • Experience working with national and international testing standards such as JEDEC, IPC and ASTM, etc.
  • Able and willing to travel as required to support customer projects (up to 20%)

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Ph.D. in mechanical engineering or closely related field, with
  • 3+ years of directly applicable engineering work experience
  • Experience working with or for local Silicon Valley companies in the thermal component of relevant industries such as consumer electronics, aerospace & defense, automotive, robotics, telecommunications, data center
  • Strong desire to translate research into commercial thermal solutions, with a results-oriented mindset.
  • Excellent project management, planning, prioritization, and leadership skills. Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills, with the ability to engage both technical and non-technical stakeholders
  • Active in national, regional, and/or local chapters of professional societies and conferences, such as ASME, SEMI-THERM, etc.
  • Patent and publication history in relevant technical domains
  • Award-winning contributions to R&D organizations
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Qnity is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability or any other protected class. If you need a reasonable accommodation to search or apply for a position, please visit ourAccessibility Page for Contact Information.

Qnity offers a comprehensive pay and benefits package.

We use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance our recruitment process.

Join our Talent Community to stay connected with us!

Qnity is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability or any other protected class. If you need a reasonable accommodation to search or apply for a position, please visit ourAccessibility Page for Contact Information.

Qnity offers a comprehensive pay and benefits package. To learn more visit the Compensation and Benefits page.

We use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance our recruitment process.