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Research Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Acceler8 Talent

Research Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

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 ...

OpenAI

Research Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

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 ...

Acceler8 Talent

Research Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Research Engineer (Voice / Speech AI) 📍 San Francisco, CA (Onsite) I am seeking a Research Engineer to join a frontier AI research lab building the next generation of real-time conversational ...

depthfirst

Research Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

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 ...

Skild AI

Research Engineer

San Mateo, CA

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 ...

Phonic

Research Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

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 ...

Acceler8 Talent

Research Engineer

Mountain View, CA · On-site

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 ...

Hudson River Trading

Research Engineer

London, CA

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 ...

Solcoa Industries

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 ...

Factory

Research Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

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

FAR.AI

$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 ...

Itron, Inc

Research Engineer

San Jose, CA · Hybrid

$60K - $115K/yr

The Research Engineer plays a critical role in advancing distributed intelligence solutions that connect utility infrastructure to the digital world. This position supports the design, development ...

OpenAI

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 ...

Waabi

Research Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

$122K - $215K/yr

To learn more visit: www.waabi.ai As a Research Engineer, you will be at the forefront of advancing and deploying artificial intelligence algorithms for our self-driving vehicles. You will work ...

DatologyAI

Research Engineer

Redwood City, CA · On-site

$180K - $300K/yr

About the Role As a Research Engineer, you will play a crucial role in conducting and enabling cutting-edge research and translating it into our core product pipeline. You will work closely with ...

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All JobsResearch Engineer JobsResearch Engineer Jobs in California

Research Engineer information

See California salary details

$36.5K

$104.6K

$140.6K

How much do research engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 19, 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 are research engineers?

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.

What engineers make $200,000 a year?

Senior engineers in fields such as software engineering, petroleum engineering, and aerospace engineering often earn $200,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and in high-demand industries. These roles typically require specialized knowledge, advanced degrees, and sometimes certifications, and compensation can vary based on location and company size.

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.

What Is a Research Engineer?

A research engineer studies methods and performs tests to find the best materials, practices, or design for performing a specific task or producing licensed products. They can play a vital role in the development of products, systems, and methods in almost any industry, and their duties often revolve around a company’s research and development (R&D) department. A research engineer may work with design teams in an office or lab setting, or they may work in the field, performing tests and experiments in a real-world environment.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior engineers in fields such as software, petroleum, aerospace, and electrical engineering can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and leadership roles. High compensation often involves working in specialized industries, holding managerial positions, or possessing advanced certifications and expertise in high-demand areas.

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 job of a research engineer?

A research engineer develops and applies scientific principles to create new technologies, improve existing systems, or solve technical problems. They often work in laboratories or industrial settings, utilizing skills in engineering, data analysis, and experimentation to advance knowledge and innovation.

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 engineers make $500,000 a year?

Highly experienced engineers in specialized fields such as software engineering, petroleum engineering, and aerospace engineering can earn $500,000 or more annually, often through a combination of base salary, bonuses, and stock options. These roles typically require advanced skills, extensive experience, and work in high-demand industries or leadership positions.
More about Research Engineer jobs
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 are popular job titles related to Research Engineer jobs in California? For Research Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles 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:
What are popular job titles related to Research Engineer jobs in CA? For Research Engineer jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Research Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Research Engineer job openings in California as of July 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

Acceler8 Talent

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Other

Re-posted 29 days ago

Job description

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 alignment and interpretability for large language models. They are building experimental systems and tooling designed to better understand how advanced models reason internally, moving beyond black-box behavior toward mechanistic understanding and controllability.


I’m looking for Research Engineers who want to build the experimental infrastructure that makes cutting-edge interpretability research possible.


What You’ll Do:


  • Build custom RL-style environments and experimental testbeds for interpretability research
  • Develop tooling to probe internal representations, including activation tracing, concept detection, and mechanistic analysis
  • Implement probes that detect latent concepts such as deception, uncertainty, goals, or hidden objectives
  • Prototype activation-level steering methods that go beyond prompting or fine-tuning
  • Work closely with researchers to rapidly iterate from idea → implementation → experiment → result
  • Help define new benchmarks and measurement frameworks for understanding internal model consistency and robustness
  • Build tooling that enables entirely new classes of alignment and interpretability experiments


Required:


  • Strong software engineering fundamentals and experience building experimental ML systems
  • Experience working close to model internals, representations, or post-training systems
  • Strong Python and deep learning framework experience (PyTorch preferred)
  • Ability to rapidly prototype and iterate in open-ended research environments
  • Experience in interpretability, alignment, or ML research preferred
  • PhD ideal


Apply today or contact Ethan - elewis@acceler8talent.com

Apply