ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

System Engineering Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Form Energy

Senior Manager, System Engineering

Berkeley, CA · On-site

$195K - $244K/yr

As the Sr. Manager of Systems Engineering, you will define the strategic vision for our systems architecture, requirements management, and Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) workflows. You will ...

Lucid Motors

RF System Engineering Manager

Newark, CA · On-site

$180K - $289K/yr

RF System Engineering Manager Lucid is looking for an experienced RF System Engineering Manager to establish and manage a small team of engineers to implement a wide range of RF systems for our ...

Ōura

Staff System Engineering Program Manager

San Diego, CA · On-site +1

$137K/yr

Coordinate and lead the work of hardware engineering teams: electrical, mechanical, firmware, system test and hardware compliance. * Lead the engineering team to identify team level milestones and ...

Applied Materials

System Engineer II

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$110K - $152K/yr

Who We Are Applied Materials is a global leader in materials engineering solutions used to produce ... As a Systems Engineer, you'll design, integrate, and optimize complex systems that drive the ...

Amat

System Engineer II

Santa Clara, CA

$110K - $152K/yr

Who We Are Applied Materials is a global leader in materials engineering solutions used to produce ... As a Systems Engineer, you'll design, integrate, and optimize complex systems that drive the ...

E-Space

5G Core System Engineering Lead

Saratoga, CA

We are looking for a 5G Core System Engineering Lead to own end-to-end system design and interface definition for E-Space's satellite 5G Core network. This role sits at the architecture level: you ...

Apply Early

E-Space

5G Core System Engineering Lead

Saratoga, CA

We are looking for a 5G Core System Engineering Lead to own end-to-end system design and interface definition for E-Space's satellite 5G Core network. This role sits at the architecture level: you ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsSystem Engineering JobsSystem Engineering Jobs in California

System Engineering information

See California salary details

$52.8K

$125.5K

$164.8K

How much do system engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for system engineering in California is $125,549.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $96,700.00 and $154,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by System Engineers when working on cross-functional teams?

System Engineers often collaborate with professionals from software development, hardware design, quality assurance, and project management. A common challenge is ensuring clear communication across these teams, as each may use different technical jargon and have distinct priorities. System Engineers must bridge these gaps, translating requirements and constraints to all stakeholders while balancing technical feasibility with project timelines. Developing strong interpersonal skills and a proactive approach to problem-solving can help overcome these challenges and lead to successful project outcomes.

What is system engineering?

System engineering is an interdisciplinary field that focuses on designing, integrating, and managing complex systems throughout their life cycles. It involves understanding and defining customer needs, translating them into system requirements, and creating solutions that span hardware, software, and processes. System engineers coordinate across various disciplines, ensuring that all parts of a project work together efficiently and effectively. Their work is crucial in industries such as aerospace, defense, IT, and manufacturing.

What is the difference between System Engineering vs Network Engineering?

AspectSystem EngineeringNetwork Engineering
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Engineering, certifications like INCOSE, PMPBachelor's in Computer Science or related, Cisco certifications (CCNA, CCNP)
Work EnvironmentDesigning and integrating complex systems across industriesDesigning, implementing, and maintaining computer networks
Employer & Industry UsageManufacturing, aerospace, defense, ITTelecommunications, IT services, enterprise networks
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for technical scope and certificationsFocuses on network infrastructure and security

System Engineering and Network Engineering share overlapping skills in technical certifications and work environments, but differ in focus. System Engineers design complex systems across various industries, while Network Engineers specialize in network infrastructure. Both roles are vital in technology and engineering sectors, often requiring similar credentials but serving distinct functions.

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

To thrive as a System Engineer, you need a solid background in computer science or engineering, along with expertise in systems architecture, troubleshooting, and integration. Familiarity with operating systems (like Linux and Windows), scripting languages, cloud platforms, and certifications such as CompTIA, AWS, or Microsoft Certified: Azure are commonly required. Strong problem-solving abilities, communication, and collaboration skills help system engineers excel in cross-functional teams and resolve complex technical challenges. These skills and qualities are vital to ensure reliable, scalable, and secure IT infrastructure that meets organizational needs.
What cities in California are hiring for System Engineering jobs? Cities in California with the most System Engineering job openings:
System Engineering jobs near you
Infographic showing various System Engineering job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $125,549 per year, or $60.4 per hour.
Senior Manager, System Engineering

Senior Manager, System Engineering

Form Energy

Berkeley, CA • On-site

$195K - $244K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

Are you ready to build America's energy future? Form Energy is an American manufacturing and energy technology company. We're revolutionizing energy storage with cost-effective, multi-day technology designed to keep the electric grid secure and reliable, even during extended periods of stress. By strengthening the electric system and reimagining what's possible, we're giving clean energy a whole new form!
In recent years, Form Energy has earned a number of accolades, including being named by TIME as a "Best Invention", MIT Technology Review as a "Top Climate Tech Company To Watch", and Fast Company as "One of the Next Big Things In Tech". We are making rapid progress on our mission of delivering energy storage for a better world, and our team is growing just as rapidly to meet demand. We have signed contracts with leading electric utilities across the United States and production of our iron-air batteries is underway at our first high-volume manufacturing facility in West Virginia.
Working for Form Energy is more than just a job, it's a chance to be part of something extraordinary. And now - right as we significantly scale up battery manufacturing - might be the most exciting moment in the company's history to join. We are assembling a team of highly talented and driven individuals across the country. Driven by our core values of humanity, excellence, and creativity, our team is determined to deliver on our mission and transform the energy landscape for the better.
Feeling energized to make a meaningful impact on the world? Then keep reading - you've come to the right place.
Role Description
Form Energy is seeking an exceptional Systems Engineering leader to scale our product development and commercialization capabilities. As the Sr. Manager of Systems Engineering, you will define the strategic vision for our systems architecture, requirements management, and Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) workflows. You will lead and mentor a high-performing team to bridge the gap between complex system-level requirements and integrated hardware/software execution, ensuring the delivery of safe, performant, and compliant multi-day energy storage systems on schedule. This is a unique opportunity to build the engineering foundation for a fast-moving, mission-driven company.
Relocation assistance is available.
What you'll do:
  • Lead decomposition of high-level system requirements into actionable, bi-directional traceable, and testable subsystem and component-level specifications.
  • Ensure all requirements are linked within requirement management tools (e.g., Jama, Polarion, DOORS, etc).
  • Drive functional decomposition using Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools such as Catia Magic to develop logical and physical architectures.
  • Establish and manage Interface Control Documents (ICDs) to govern communication between battery modules, thermal management, and power conversion systems.
  • Champion the System Engineering processes by driving functional breakdown, requirement linking, and assessing design coverage for hardware and software teams.
  • Build a team of driven system engineers to drive cross-functional alignment between design teams.
  • Act as a central partner to Hardware, Software, Test, and Manufacturing teams to ensure seamless integration, reconciling interface nonconformities, and maintaining architectural coherence from subscale to full-system validation.
  • Drive the implementation of key performance metrics to track requirement coverage, design coverage, and verification coverage.

What you'll bring:
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Software Engineering, or a related technical field.
  • Extensive experience with requirement management software such as Jama, Polarion, or DOORS.
  • Proficiency in SysML and MBSE tools, specifically Catia Magic.
  • Strong command of the V-model, ASPICE, and functional decomposition processes.
  • Familiarity with functional safety standards including ISO 26262, IEC 61508, or UL 1998.
  • Experience with formal verification methods or advanced state machine design reviews.
  • Proven ability to drive cross-functional alignment between hardware and software engineering teams.
  • 10+ years of professional experience in Systems Engineering or a related technical leadership role within complex electromechanical industries (e.g., Energy, Automotive, Aerospace, or Robotics).
  • 5+ years of direct people management experience, with a proven track record of building, scaling, and mentoring high-performing engineering teams.
  • Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to translate high-level product goals into actionable technical strategies for cross-functional teams.

#LI-Onsite
#LI-TR1
Humanity is a cornerstone of Form Energy's culture, and we make sure our compensation and benefits reflect that. Form Energy offers competitive salaries, stock options, and a holistic benefits package to ensure all employees have what they need to thrive while working here.
When it comes to you and your family's health, we cover 100% of medical, dental, and vision premiums for full-time employees - and 80% of healthcare premiums for dependents. This starts from day one. We also offer at least 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents (up to 20 weeks for birthing parents), and generous vacation policies to give employees time to recharge when needed.
To build America's energy future, we need everyone at the table. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply to our open jobs.
If you may require reasonable accommodations to participate in our interview process, please contact accommodations@formenergy.com. Requests for accommodations will be treated with discretion.
Form Energy is committed to maintaining the privacy of our applicants. Please be aware that we will never solicit sensitive personal information such as Social Security numbers or bank account details during the recruiting or hiring process.

Apply