1

Research Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Research Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$150K - $250K/yr

About the Role We're looking for a Research Engineer to join a small, fast-moving team building infrastructure for reinforcement learning environments and AI evaluation. You'll work at the ...

Research Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$140 - $190/hr

Research Engineer Responsibilities Factory is seeking innovative Research Engineers to design and integrate advanced AI and ML capabilities that revolutionize productivity and accelerate innovation ...

Research Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$120 - $150/hr

About the role As a Research Engineer, you will be responsible for post-training models for adversarial capabilities using reinforcement learning. You will work with the entire training pipeline from ...

They are seeking a Research Engineer to train models, design RL training environments, and manage the training pipeline while working closely with the research CEO. Responsibilities : • Train ...

Research Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$100 - $140/hr

About The Role As a Research Engineer at Phonic, you'll sit at the intersection of cutting-edge ML research and production engineering, working directly on the core systems that make Phonic's voice ...

As a Research Engineer, you will be responsible for building AI systems that can perform previously impossible tasks and achieve unprecedented levels of performance, requiring strong engineering ...

About The Role As a Research Engineer at Phonic, you'll sit at the intersection of cutting-edge ML research and production engineering, working directly on the core systems that make Phonic's voice ...

Position Overview We are hiring Research Engineers to develop scalable robotic systems aimed at achieving general-purpose robotic intelligence. In this role, you'll work with researchers and ...

Research Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$120 - $160/hr

Strong general software engineering skills * Thorough knowledge of the deep learning literature * Experience with pre- and post-training of LLMs * Ability to come up with and evaluate research ideas

The Research Engineer will play a crucial role in building and training AI agents for vulnerability discovery and exploitation. Responsibilities : • Build State-of-the-Art AI Agentic pipelines ...

Research Engineer (VLM / Multimodal AI) 📍 Mountain View, CA I am seeking a Research Engineer to join a venture-backed AI and robotics startup building an AI-powered observability platform for ...

New

Research Engineer

Alameda, CA · On-site

$120K - $175K/yr

The Role - Research Engineer Own difficult, first-principles R&D that unlocks rare-earth metal production at scale. You will design and execute high-temperature experiments, build and operate custom ...

$100K - $190K/yr

... developers such as OpenAI and independent evaluations for governments including the EU AI Office. We help steer and grow the AI safety field through developing research roadmaps with renowned ...

THE ROLE As a Research Engineer, you may work on projects that require strong execution, communication, analytical judgment, and the ability to move quickly in ambiguous environments. WHAT YOU MAY ...

About the Role Factory is seeking innovative Research Engineers to design and integrate advanced AI and ML capabilities that revolutionize productivity and accelerate innovation within software ...

We are seeking highly motivated and skilled Research Engineers who will work very closely with our Algo Developer (Quant Research) trading teams. These roles require exceptional programming ...

Research Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$140 - $210/hr

The Role As a Research Engineer, you'll build the systems that let us post-train models continuously: the training pipelines, environment infrastructure, and evaluation harnesses that turn research ...

Research Engineer

Pasadena, CA · On-site

$80 - $104.70/hr

As a Research Engineer in the LIGO Laboratory, you will have the opportunity to apply your skills to the design and implementation of technologies that increase the LIGO detector sensitivity and ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Research Engineer information

See California salary details

$36.5K

$104.6K

$140.6K

How much do research engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 25, 2026, the average yearly pay for research engineer in California is $104,624.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $102,600.00 and $102,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a research engineer?

Research engineers are professionals who apply scientific and engineering principles to conduct research, develop new products, and improve existing technologies. They typically work in laboratories, research and development departments, or academic settings, collaborating with scientists and other engineers. Their work often involves designing experiments, analyzing data, and creating prototypes to solve technical problems or advance knowledge in their field.

How do research engineers typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during a project?

Research Engineers often work closely with scientists, data analysts, product managers, and software engineers to develop and implement innovative solutions. Collaboration usually involves regular meetings to align on project goals, sharing technical findings, and integrating research outcomes into product development. Effective communication and the ability to translate complex research concepts into actionable insights are key to ensuring the project progresses smoothly and meets its objectives.

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

To thrive as a Research Engineer, a strong background in engineering principles, advanced mathematics, and scientific research—often supported by a relevant degree or postgraduate study—is essential. Familiarity with data analysis tools like MATLAB or Python, CAD software, and laboratory instrumentation is typically required, along with experience in technical report writing. Strong analytical thinking, creativity, and effective collaboration skills help Research Engineers excel in multidisciplinary teams. These competencies are vital for developing innovative solutions, advancing technology, and ensuring rigorous, impactful research outcomes.

What is the difference between Research Engineer vs Data Scientist?

AspectResearch EngineerData Scientist
Required CredentialsTypically requires a master's or Ph.D. in engineering, computer science, or related fieldsUsually holds a master's or Ph.D. in statistics, computer science, or related areas
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, R&D departments, technology companiesData analysis teams, analytics departments, tech firms
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in engineering, manufacturing, aerospace, and tech industriesCommon in finance, healthcare, marketing, and tech sectors

Research Engineers focus on developing new technologies, prototypes, and engineering solutions, often working on hardware or system design. Data Scientists analyze large datasets to extract insights, build predictive models, and support decision-making. While both roles require strong technical skills and advanced degrees, their core functions and industry applications differ significantly.

Do I need a PhD to be a research engineer?

A PhD is not always required to become a research engineer, as many roles value relevant experience, technical skills, and a bachelor's or master's degree in engineering, computer science, or related fields. However, some specialized research positions or advanced projects may prefer or require a doctoral degree. Practical skills, problem-solving ability, and familiarity with tools like MATLAB or Python are also important for success in this role.

What are the most commonly searched types of Research Engineer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Research Engineer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Research Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Research Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Research Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $104,624 per year, or $50.3 per hour.

Research Engineer

Clera

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$150K - $250K/yr

Full-time

This job post has expired 1 day ago. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

About the Role
We're looking for a Research Engineer to join a small, fast-moving team building infrastructure for reinforcement learning environments and AI evaluation. You'll work at the intersection of applied research and engineering, helping develop and validate the systems that train and align AI models to real-world tasks. This role has direct impact on the quality and scalability of our core platform.
What You'll Do
  • Design, implement, and evaluate machine learning models and algorithms for RL-focused research problems.
  • Build and maintain high-quality, reproducible research code across experimentation pipelines.
  • Process and analyze datasets using standard scientific computing and data libraries.
  • Run statistical analyses and design experiments to validate research hypotheses.
  • Implement and reproduce methods from published research literature as needed.
  • Use cloud computing platforms to scale research workloads and experiments.
  • Create visualizations and communicate results clearly to technical teammates.
What We're Looking For
  • 3+ years of experience in research engineering, machine learning engineering, or applied research roles.
  • Strong proficiency in Python for research implementation and experimentation.
  • Hands-on experience designing and evaluating ML models or algorithms.
  • Familiarity with deep learning frameworks such as PyTorch or TensorFlow.
  • Experience with data processing and analysis libraries (e.g. NumPy, Pandas, Scikit-learn).
  • Solid version control practices using Git for research codebases.
  • Background in statistical analysis and experimental design.
  • Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, or Azure) for compute-intensive workloads is a plus.
  • Prior work implementing or reproducing research papers is a plus.
Compensation & Benefits
Salary range: $150,000 - $250,000 USD annually. Visa sponsorship is not available at this time.
Location
This role is on-site in San Francisco, CA, USA.