ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

System Engineering Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

CivicMinds, Inc.

VP, System Engineering

Irvine, CA · On-site

$193K - $249K/yr

Final technical authority for all Systems Division Engineering related issues. Actively participates in design reviews and approves system design and configuration for all projects Managed by Project ...

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 ...

E-Space

5G Core System Engineering Lead

Saratoga, CA · On-site

$180K - $220K/yr

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 27, 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, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $125,549 per year, or $60.4 per hour.
Director, System Engineering & Integration

Director, System Engineering & Integration

Cadence Design Systems, Inc.

San Jose, CA • On-site

$178K - $331K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 18 days ago

Cadence Design Systems rating

9.0

Company rating: 9.0 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

33rd of 245 rated software companies

Job description

At Cadence, we hire and develop leaders and innovators who want to make an impact on the world of technology.
Position Overview
The Director of System Engineering & Integration leads the definition, architecture, and execution of end-to-end system integration across silicon, hardware, firmware, network and software for complex emulator platforms.
This role owns the integration strategy, system bring-up, and verification required to deliver production-ready systems, while driving alignment across globally distributed, cross-functional teams.
Leadership & Organizational Excellence
  • Build and lead global engineering teams responsible for system integration and validation.
  • Drive execution excellence, organizational scaling, and talent development.
  • Foster strong collaboration across hardware, firmware, software, ASIC, and operations teams.

System Architecture & Integration Strategy
  • Define the system integration architecture and technical strategy across ASIC, hardware, firmware, FPGA, and system software.
  • Establish design-for-integration principles, interface contracts, and integration readiness criteria.
  • Guide cross-functional technical decisions across interconnects, embedded systems, and system infrastructure.

System Integration, Bring-up & Validation
  • Own end-to-end integration and bring-up of multi-subsystem platforms.
  • Define and drive system-level validation and verification strategies, including performance and stress testing.
  • Lead resolution of complex cross-layer issues across hardware and software.

Methodology, Tooling & Infrastructure
  • Establish scalable validation infrastructure, automation frameworks, and test environments.
  • Drive standardization and reuse of system-level test methodologies.

Execution & Product Delivery
  • Own system readiness from bring-up to production release, ensuring performance and reliability targets.
  • Partner with engineering and product leadership to ensure predictable delivery.

Qualifications
  • Deep expertise in system engineering across silicon, hardware, firmware, drivers, OS and software.
  • Experience in integrating and delivering complex multi-interface systems.
  • Knowledge of large computing rack system architecture.
  • Proven system-level debugging capability and complex system issue root cause resolutions.
  • Experience leading global, cross-functional engineering teams.
  • Deep experience with interconnect technologies like Ethernet, RoCE / UEC, DDRx, PCIe.

Education:
  • BS degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related fieldwith a minimum of 12 years of experience OR MS with a minimum of 10 years of experience OR PhD with a minimum of 8 years of experience
  • Masters / advanced degree in related field preferred.

Preferred Skills
  • Communication infrastructures such as PCIe, Infiniband, and distributed Ethernet network setups.
  • Distro-independent full spectrum of Linux in kernel space and user space in both server and embedded system, including system administration.
  • Distributed computing with high-availability and scalability.
  • System virtualization and containerization and real-world applications.

Impact
Drives successful integration and delivery of complex emulator systems, ensuring seamless interaction across hardware, firmware, network, and software while shaping system engineering practices at scale.
The annual salary range for California is $178,500 to $331,500. You may also be eligible to receive incentive compensation: bonus, equity, and benefits. Sales positions generally offer a competitive On Target Earnings (OTE) incentive compensation structure. Please note that the salary range is a guideline and compensation may vary based on factors such as qualifications, skill level, competencies and work location. Our benefits programs include: paid vacation and paid holidays, 401(k) plan with employer match, employee stock purchase plan, a variety of medical, dental and vision plan options, and more.
We're doing work that matters. Help us solve what others can't.

What Cadence Design Systems employees say

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply