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Staff Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Beam On Technology

Be Seen First

Staff Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

Beam On Technology is seeking a Staff Engineer to support our SMT stencil and precision tooling operations . This position will work closely with customers, manufacturing, and our engineering teams ...

Geico

Staff Engineer

Palo Alto, CA

$110K - $230K/yr

Our Staff Engineer is a lead member of the engineering staff working across the PaaS Serverless organization to deliver a friction-free experience for our PaaS customers. You will partner with ...

Loop AI

Staff Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

They are seeking a Staff Engineer to lead the development of system architecture and manage cross-functional relationships as they expand their engineering team and product offerings.

NextNav LLC

Staff Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$140 - $169/hr

The Staff Engineer will develop advanced algorithms for optimal time of arrival determination and positioning using terrestrial radio navigation signals. This will include optimizing algorithms using ...

GEICO

Staff Engineer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

Position Description Our Staff Engineers work across levels to build new systems, improve existing ones, and solve critical problems with data and software. As a technical leader for the Developer ...

Loop AI

Staff Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

They are seeking a Staff Engineer to play a leadership role in developing system architecture and managing cross-functional relationships as they expand their engineering team. Responsibilities : • ...

Geico

Staff Engineer

Palo Alto, CA

Position Description Our Staff Engineers work across levels to build new systems, improve existing ones, and solve critical problems with data and software. As a technical leader for the Developer ...

Salas O'Brien, Inc.

Staff Engineer

Oakland, CA · Hybrid

$90K - $105K/yr

Structural Staff Engineer At Salas O'Brien we tell our clients that we're engineered for impact. This passion for making a difference applies just as much to our team as it does to our projects. That ...

Kastle

Staff Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

The Staff Engineer will architect and own core systems that power real-time AI workflows, ensuring high performance and scalability in production environments. Responsibilities : • Architect and ...

Clera

Staff Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$250K - $300K/yr

About the Role This is a founding-team-level Staff Engineer role at a seed-stage AI/data infrastructure company building a real-time people data and agent platform. You'll work directly with ...

Clera

Staff Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$250K - $300K/yr

About the Role This is a founding-team-level Staff Engineer role at a seed-stage AI/data infrastructure company building a real-time people data and agent platform. You'll work directly with ...

Salas O'Brien

Staff Engineer

Oakland, CA · On-site

$90K - $105K/yr

Structural Staff Engineer At Salas O'Brien we tell our clients that we're engineered for impact. This passion for making a difference applies just as much to our team as it does to our projects. That ...

Mulhern+Kulp

Staff Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

Mulhern+Kulp is hiring full-time entry-level Staff Engineers for our San Diego office. Join a rapidly growing structural engineering consulting firm with 140+ team members and active projects ...

New

Loop AI

Staff Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$200K - $300K/yr

... Dog Staff Engineer / Tech Lead / Senior Software Engineer / Founding Engineer / Principle Engineer We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as ...

Loop AI

Staff Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

... Dog Staff Engineer / Tech Lead / Senior Software Engineer / Founding Engineer / Principle Engineer We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as ...

Geico

Staff Engineer - PKI

Palo Alto, CA

$115K - $230K/yr

Position Description Our Staff Engineer works with our Distinguished Engineers, Sr. Staff Engineer's, and Sr. Engineers to innovate and build new systems, improve, and enhance existing systems as ...

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All JobsStaff Engineer JobsStaff Engineer Jobs in California

Staff Engineer information

See California salary details

$22.7K

$98K

$190K

How much do staff engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for staff engineer in California is $98,029.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $68,100.00 and $123,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a staff engineer?

A staff engineer is a general title for an on-staff engineer in any number of industries. You can find these positions in fields including software development, the aerospace industry, civil engineering, and medical science. In this career, your job duties vary significantly depending on your industry. Generally, you work with a number of other developers and engineers to develop new systems or products or improve existing materials or processes. The qualifications needed for a career as a staff engineer include a bachelor’s degree in an engineering field relevant to your industry. Common degrees include electrical and mechanical engineering. While some employers prefer staff engineers with experience, you can secure an entry-level position with just the skills learned in your degree program.

What is a staff engineer?

A Staff Engineer is a senior technical role within engineering teams, often responsible for leading complex projects, setting technical direction, and mentoring other engineers. Unlike managerial roles, Staff Engineers typically remain deeply involved in hands-on technical work and architecture decisions. They play a critical role in bridging the gap between engineering execution and organizational strategy, ensuring that technical standards are maintained and innovations are implemented effectively. Staff Engineers may also collaborate with cross-functional teams to solve high-impact problems and drive the company's technical vision forward.

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

To thrive as a Staff Engineer, you need deep expertise in software engineering principles, system architecture, and problem-solving, typically supported by a relevant degree and extensive industry experience. Proficiency with programming languages, cloud platforms, CI/CD tools, and familiarity with agile methodologies are commonly required, along with experience in technical leadership. Exceptional communication, mentorship, and collaboration skills set top performers apart as they guide teams and influence technical direction. These skills ensure effective delivery of complex projects, foster innovation, and drive organizational technical excellence.

How does a staff engineer typically balance hands-on technical work with mentoring and guiding other engineers?

As a Staff Engineer, you'll often find yourself splitting time between solving complex technical challenges and supporting the growth of your team. While you will still engage in deep technical work, a significant part of your role involves mentoring less experienced engineers, setting technical direction, and reviewing designs or code. Balancing these responsibilities requires strong time management and communication skills, as you need to ensure project progress while enabling team members to learn and excel. Many organizations expect Staff Engineers to lead by example, champion best practices, and foster a collaborative environment.
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For Staff Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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Staff Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Staff Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $98,029 per year, or $47.1 per hour.

Staff Engineer

Santa Clara, CA • On-site

Beam On Technology
Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component Manufacturing • 11 - 50 employees
Learn more about Beam On Technologyexternal

Full-time

Medical, Dental

Posted 9 days ago

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Job description

Beam On Technology is seeking a Staff Engineer to support our SMT stencil and precision tooling operations. This position will work closely with customers, manufacturing, and our engineering teams to develop production-ready designs that meet customer requirements for quality, manufacturability, and delivery.

The Staff Engineer will provide technical support for laser-cut stencils, step-down stencils, tooling, and assembly fixtures, while helping improve engineering processes and communication between Engineering and Manufacturing.