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Research Programmer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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 ...

PROPRIUS

AI Research Engineer

San Francisco, CA

AI Research Engineer Location: San Francisco, CA Sponsorship: No Relocation: No Industry: Data Science Join a Fortune 500 at the top of its field and one that provides custom solutions to over 150,00 ...

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 ...

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 ...

Caltech

Research Engineer

Pasadena, CA · On-site

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 ...

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All JobsResearch Programmer JobsResearch Programmer Jobs in California

Research Programmer information

See California salary details

$10.9K

$111.3K

$127.3K

How much do research programmer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for research programmer in California is $111,322.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $100,700.00 and $127,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a research programmer?

Research programmers are professionals who develop software, algorithms, and computational tools to support academic or scientific research projects. They work closely with researchers to design, implement, and optimize code for data analysis, simulations, and experiments. Their role often involves adapting existing software or creating new applications to solve specific research problems, ensuring that the software meets the requirements of the research team. Research programmers may also contribute to writing technical documentation and publishing results.

What is the difference between Research Programmer vs Data Analyst?

AspectResearch ProgrammerData Analyst
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Computer Science, Data Science, or related fields; programming skillsBachelor's or Master's in Statistics, Data Science, or related fields; analytical skills
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, academic institutions, tech companiesBusiness, healthcare, finance, or marketing sectors
Employer & Industry UsageResearch projects, academic research, R&D departmentsData interpretation, reporting, and decision support in organizations

Research Programmers focus on developing software and tools for research purposes, often working in academic or research settings. Data Analysts interpret data to provide insights for business decisions. While both roles require strong technical skills, Research Programmers emphasize programming and software development, whereas Data Analysts focus on data interpretation and visualization.

How do research programmers typically collaborate with researchers and other team members during a project?

Research Programmers often work closely with principal investigators, data scientists, and subject matter experts to develop, test, and optimize software solutions tailored to research needs. Collaboration is highly iterative and may involve regular meetings to align on project goals, troubleshoot technical challenges, and adapt code to evolving research requirements. Effective communication and a flexible approach are key, as programmers frequently translate complex research concepts into functional code and may also assist with data analysis or visualization tasks.

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

To thrive as a Research Programmer, you need a strong background in computer science, programming languages (such as Python, Java, or C++), and a relevant bachelor's or master's degree. Familiarity with scientific computing tools, version control systems (like Git), and data analysis platforms is typically required. Analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills help you collaborate with research teams and translate complex requirements into code. These skills enable you to develop robust software solutions that advance research goals and ensure project success.

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For Research Programmer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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

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

What cities in California are hiring for Research Programmer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Research Programmer job openings:

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Research Programmer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Research Programmer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $111,322 per year, or $53.5 per hour.

Research Engineer

Solcoa Industries

Alameda, CA • On-site

$120K - $175K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision

Re-posted 14 days ago

Job description

Making the Metals Powering the World
Solcoa exists to stabilize the western rare-earth metal supply chain-powering every fighter jet, EV, wind turbine, phone, and generator. We're among the very few companies outside China producing rare-earth metals-and the only one delivering a 100% U.S. supply of both light and heavy rare earths. Our carbon-zero process converts end-of-life magnets directly into metal, accelerating energy independence and securing one of the world's most vital resources.
We are a lean, well-funded team rapidly accelerating Western rare-earth production. We're building a world-class team to solve this crisis.
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 rigs, extract mechanisms from data, and translate lab breakthroughs into reproducible unit operations for our demo plant. This role is deeply technical and experimental.
  • Pyrometallurgical research: calcination, vacuum/steam distillation, carbothermic/metallothermic reduction, smelting, refining.
  • High-temperature electrochemistry: molten-salt/molten-oxide electrolysis, cell design, anode/cathode materials, current efficiency.
  • Nuclear engineering research: molten-salt chemistries, materials compatibility, graphite/refractory behavior, high-T gas-cooled systems.
  • Metal processing engineering: molten metal handling/casting, powder metallurgy (atomization, pressing, sintering), heat treatment.
What You'll Do
  • Run bench/pilot experiments to quantify kinetics, transport, and equilibria.
  • Build/operate furnace systems, vacuum/inert atmospheres, retorts/crucibles.
  • Develop and validate PFD-level experimental flows; compute mass/energy balances; establish operating envelopes.
  • Apply thermochemical modeling (CALPHAD/Thermo-Calc/FactSage/HSC) and phase diagrams to guide conditions and materials.
  • Characterize feed/products with ICP-MS/OES, XRD, SEM/EDS, LECO O/N/H,; close element balances.
  • Author rigorous documentation: SOPs, test plans, hazards analyses, data packages; present results with statistical confidence.
  • Collaborate with machinists/technicians to fabricate fixtures; specify sensors, heaters, seals, and vacuum hardware.
  • Enforce safety for molten metals, reactive powders, hot work, compressed gases, and magnetized materials.
What You Bring
Required
  • Typically 3+ years (flexible) as a research engineer/assistant or PhD-level researcher with demonstrated research achievements (papers, patents, prototypes).
  • Depth in at least one focus area above; strong foundation in thermodynamics, transport, reaction kinetics, and materials.
  • Proven ability to build experimental setups, write/control test scripts, and produce decision-grade data.
  • Hands-on with furnaces, vacuum/inert gas systems, gloveboxes, and high-T instrumentation; meticulous lab discipline.
  • Data fluency (Python/MATLAB, spreadsheets); uncertainty analysis; clear, technical writing.

Preferred
  • Experience with rare-earth chemistry/metallurgy (Nd, Dy, Tb), chloride/fluoride molten salts, and contamination control.
  • Corrosion/materials compatibility at high temperature; selection of refractories and crucible/alloy systems.
  • Basic CAD (Fusion/SolidWorks) for fixtures; simple FEA/thermal modeling; familiarity with HAZOP/MOC culture.
Compensation & Benefits
  • Competitive base salary
  • Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
  • Company-provided lunch daily
  • Visa sponsorship available if needed

Apply