Chief Engineer Jobs in San Diego, CA

In the Manufacturing Engineering industry, a Chief Engineer is responsible for managing all engineering-related operations. This includes overseeing the design, development, installation, and maintenance of manufacturing equipment and systems. They provide technical leadership and support, ensuring that all processes and techniques used in manufacturing are effective and efficient. The Chief Engineer is also responsible for identifying areas for improvement or innovation, and leading teams to implement these changes. They ensure adherence to industry standards and regulations, and play a key role in strategic planning, budgeting, and resource allocation.

Important skills for a Chief Engineer include strong technical knowledge, leadership abilities, problem-solving skills, and project management expertise. They should also have proficiency in using engineering software and a good understanding of manufacturing processes and principles. Relevant certifications may include a Professional Engineer (PE) license, Certified Manufacturing Engineer (CMfgE), or Certified Automation Professional (CAP). Prior to becoming a Chief Engineer, a person may have roles as a Senior Engineer, Project Engineer, or Engineering Manager. These positions provide opportunities to gain the necessary experience in design and development, team management, and strategic decision-making.

1-15 of 28 Jobs

Senior Mechanical Engineer

  • SAIC
  • San Diego, CA
  • 16 hours ago
  • San Diego, CA
  • 16 hours ago

Apply Design for Manufacturing principles to prototype and production designs. Perform Finite Element Analysis for structural and mechanical components....

In Person

AI Technical Project Lead/Engineer - SFL Scientific

  • Deloitte
  • San Diego, CA
  • 21 hours ago
  • San Diego, CA
  • 21 hours ago

Position Summary Our Deloitte Strategy & Transactions team helps guide clients through their most critical moments and transformational initiatives. From strategy to execution, this team delivers...

In Person

Design Studies Engineer - Technical Director

  • WSP
  • San Diego, CA
  • 1 day ago
  • San Diego, CA
  • 1 day ago

This Opportunity WSP is currently initiating a search for a Design Studies Engineer - Technical Director with an Electrical Studies emphasis for our Boise, Idaho office. Remote candidates will...

In Person

Senior Engineer

  • Productive Data Solution
  • San Diego, CA
  • 3 days ago
  • San Diego, CA
  • 3 days ago

Compensation: 80-110/hr depending on market Contract - Remote in US About the Role We're looking for a Senior Full-Stack Engineer with deep technical expertise and a strong sense of ownership....

Remote

Principal Engineer Hardware

  • Northrop Grumman
  • San Diego, CA
  • 13 days ago
  • San Diego, CA
  • 13 days ago

Northrop Grumman Mission Systems has an opening for a Principal Hardware Engineer (Level 3) to join our Manufacturing Engineering team....

In Person

Consulting Chief Engineer

  • Northrop Grumman
  • San Diego, CA
  • 13 days ago
  • San Diego, CA
  • 13 days ago

of design, manufacturing, and test processes Preferred Qualifications: Post graduate degree in STEM or technical management Demonstrated success in leading technical development of complex RF based...

In Person

Engineer Systems Test/ Principal Engineer System Test

  • Northrop Grumman
  • San Diego, CA
  • 13 days ago
  • San Diego, CA
  • 13 days ago

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be availableCLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: YesCLEARANCE TYPE: SecretTRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time Description At Northrop Grumman, our employees have...

In Person

Principal Engineer, Systems (R5048)

  • Shield AI
  • San Diego, CA
  • 15 days ago
  • San Diego, CA
  • 15 days ago

Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed deep-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include the V-BAT and X-BAT...

In Person

Senior Mechanical Engineer

  • Qualcomm
  • San Diego, CA
  • 16 days ago
  • San Diego, CA
  • 16 days ago

Interface with vendors and manufacturing partners to ensure design for manufacturability and support timely build schedules....

In Person

Bluetooth Software Performance Lead Engineer, Wireless Technologies & Ecosystems

  • Apple
  • San Diego, CA
  • 22 days ago
  • San Diego, CA
  • 22 days ago

Job Summary Summary Posted: May 12, 2026 Weekly Hours: 40 Role Number: 20... Join the Wireless Technologies and Ecosystems organization and be part of anoutstanding team of engineers driving...

In Person

Technical Director

  • LabCorp
  • San Diego, CA
  • 23 days ago
  • San Diego, CA
  • 23 days ago

Labcorp is a global leader in innovative laboratory services, advancing healthcare through science and technology. Our San Diego Core Testing Laboratory plays a critical role in delivering timely,...

In Person

Director/Principal Engineer Automotive Software

  • Qualcomm
  • San Diego, CA
  • 29 days ago
  • San Diego, CA
  • 29 days ago

. * Proven experience as a customer-facing technical leader, such as chief engineer, system architect, technical program lead, or equivalent. * Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams without...

In Person

Principal Engineer/Manager

  • Qualcomm
  • San Diego, CA
  • 30+ days ago
  • San Diego, CA
  • 30+ days ago

##Company: Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. ## Job Area: Engineering Group, Engineering Group >Machine Learning Engineering General Summary: Auto AI Systems: Team Lead We are seeking a highly qualified...

In Person

Senior Engineer, Air Vehicle Fluid Systems (R4891)

  • Shield AI
  • San Diego, CA
  • 30+ days ago
  • San Diego, CA
  • 30+ days ago

\n Required qualifications: B.S. in Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent). 5+ years experience with fluid or hydraulic system design, component design, system analysis, supplier management, requirements...

In Person

Senior Engineer, Mechanisms (R4890)

  • Shield AI
  • San Diego, CA
  • 30+ days ago
  • San Diego, CA
  • 30+ days ago

As a Mechanical Engineer, you will be responsible for contributing to the mechanical design and development of Shield AI's autonomous UAV products....

In Person

Demographic Data for San Diego, CA

Moving to San Diego, CA? Find some basic demographic data about San Diego, CA below.


Local
National
1,325,823
41,125
Large

Chief Engineer Online Courses and Training Opportunities

iHireManufacturingEngineers curates thousands of courses in order to recommend the best ones to help further your career. If you register for a course using the links on our site, we may receive a small commission.
Security Engineer Nanodegree Program
Build the skills needed to outsmart cyber threats. This Nanodegree teaches you how to secure infrastructure, assess vulnerabilities, and apply top industry practices to protect your organization...
Effective Communication Skills for Engineers
This course will guide the participants to learn about multiple communication skills (verbal and non-verbal), in the form of posters, oral presentations and technical report writing.
Site Reliability Engineer Nanodegree Program
Advance your tech career by learning to design, deploy, and maintain reliable, scalable systems through this Nanodegree. Featuring real-world projects, practical tools, and personalized expert...

Title Synonyms

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Salary for Chief Engineer Jobs in San Diego, CA

Estimated salary range based on data from US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and iHireManufacturingEngineers research efforts.

Licensing / Certification

Required or preferred licenses and certifications for Chief Engineer positions.



Highest Education Level

Chief Engineers in San Diego, CA offer the following education background
Bachelor's Degree
49.7%
Master's Degree
35.0%
Doctorate Degree
6.7%
Associate's Degree
4.0%
Vocational Degree or Certification
2.7%
High School or GED
1.5%
Some College
0.3%
Some High School
0.1%

Average Work Experience
Here's a breakdown of the number of years' experience offered by Chief Engineers in San Diego, CA
10+ years
36.1%
6-8 years
31.2%
8-10 years
15.0%
4-6 years
6.2%
1-2 years
5.2%
None
5.0%
2-4 years
1.1%



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