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Research Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Research Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$150K - $250K/yr

About the Role This is a Research Engineer role at an early-stage AI infrastructure startup building the technical foundation for training and evaluating frontier AI agents. You'll work across QC ...

Research Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$150K - $250K/yr

About the Role This is a Research Engineer role at an early-stage AI infrastructure startup building the technical foundation for training and evaluating frontier AI agents. You'll work across QC ...

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 ...

New

Research Engineer, Interpretability Systems 📍 San Francisco Bay Area (On-site) I am partnering with an early-stage AI research lab founded by former frontier-model researchers, focused on ...

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 ...

New

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 ...

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 ...

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

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

New

$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 ...

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

$250K - $445K/yr

About the Role As a Research Engineer here, you will be responsible for building AI systems that can perform previously impossible tasks or achieve unprecedented levels of performance. We're looking ...

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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 21, 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 job categories do people searching Research Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for 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

Posted 17 days ago


Job description

About the Role
This is a Research Engineer role at an early-stage AI infrastructure startup building the technical foundation for training and evaluating frontier AI agents. You'll work across QC automation, benchmarks, and synthetic data - sitting at the intersection of research and engineering to shape how agents learn and improve. The work is high-impact and highly ambiguous, with direct influence on the direction of the platform.
What You'll Do
  • Build systems for creating new environments, improving data quality, and translating real-world workflows into tasks and benchmarks.
  • Design and run experiments to understand model behavior, agent failure modes, and data quality issues.
  • Develop internal tools that help researchers, engineers, and data vendors produce higher-quality tasks, trajectories, and feedback loops.
  • Work across the full lifecycle of agent training data - from task design and environment setup through trajectory collection, evaluation, and validation.
  • Partner with external vendors to identify bottlenecks and improve the quality and throughput of the data engine.
  • Build metrics and analyses to assess whether tasks, environments, and evals are genuinely useful for training frontier agents.
What We're Looking For
  • 2-4 years of professional experience as a Research Engineer or in a similar role delivering systems for AI agent training and evaluation.
  • Strong proficiency in Python, Docker, and Linux environments.
  • Hands-on experience with benchmarks and evaluations for RL training, including reasoning about task realism, rubric reliability, environment usability, and trajectory quality.
  • Proven ability to build tools, pipelines, and research infrastructure with minimal guidance in early-stage settings.
  • Experience designing experiments, metrics, and validation workflows to understand model and data quality.
  • Comfort operating in fast-paced, unstructured environments and communicating clearly across time zones.
  • Strong quantitative or technical foundation - demonstrated through competitive programming, academic research, or strong independent project work.
Compensation & Benefits
Salary range: $150,000 - $250,000 USD annually. Visa sponsorship is available.
Location
On-site in San Francisco, CA, USA. Candidates based in Singapore are also considered.