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Audio Design Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Hark

Product Design Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$120K - $300K/yr

About the Role We're hiring a Product Design Engineer to help shape the physical form of our AI ... Experience integrating displays, audio modules etc. Compensation The US base salary range for this ...

Apple

Audio Engineer

Cupertino, CA

$149K - $225K/yr

The team includes professionals with backgrounds in event design, management, operations, broadcast ... The Audio Engineer is a hands on technical leadership role responsible for delivering premium live ...

Apple

Audio Engineer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

The team includes professionals with backgrounds in event design, management, operations, broadcast ... The Audio Engineer is a hands on technical leadership role responsible for delivering premium live ...

Dolby

Sr FPGA Design Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$144K - $199K/yr

... audio processors, and HDR projection systems. Our hardware platforms combine sophisticated image ... As a Senior FPGA Engineer, you'll design and verify FPGA-based solutions for next-generation cinema ...

Dolby

Sr FPGA Design Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$144K - $199K/yr

... audio processors, and HDR projection systems. Our hardware platforms combine sophisticated image ... As a Senior FPGA Engineer, you'll design and verify FPGA-based solutions for next-generation cinema ...

Apple

iPhone Analog Design Engineer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$249K/yr

The iPhone Division is seeking an enthusiastic Analog Design Engineer to join a creative and ... audio, battery management, and sensors. This is a great opportunity to be at the focal point of ...

AssemblyAI

Senior Design Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

Our models serve 600M+ inference calls monthly, process 1M+ hours of audio daily, and power 2 ... You lead with design. Engineering is how you bring that design to life, because you don't have to ...

AssemblyAI

Senior Design Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

Our models serve 600M+ inference calls monthly, process 1M+ hours of audio daily, and power 2 ... You lead with design. Engineering is how you bring that design to life, because you don't have to ...

AssemblyAI

Senior Design Engineer

San Francisco, CA

Our models serve 600M+ inference calls monthly, process 1M+ hours of audio daily, and power 2 ... You lead with design. Engineering is how you bring that design to life, because you don't have to ...

Worky

Senior Design Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

Our models serve 600M+ inference calls monthly, process 1M+ hours of audio daily, and power 2 ... You lead with design. Engineering is how you bring that design to life, because you don't have to ...

PINNACLE GROUP

Audio Video Engineer / Estimator

Glendale, CA · On-site

$85K - $112K/yr

Technology Position Summary We are seeking a highly skilled and detail-oriented Audio Video ... This role requires a deep understanding of commercial AV system design, engineering, and cost ...

AssemblyAI

Senior Design Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Our models serve 600M+ inference calls monthly, process 1M+ hours of audio daily, and power 2 ... You lead with design. Engineering is how you bring that design to life, because you don't have to ...

Worky

Senior Design Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Our models serve 600M+ inference calls monthly, process 1M+ hours of audio daily, and power 2 ... You lead with design. Engineering is how you bring that design to life, because you don't have to ...

Pinnacle

Audio Video Engineer / Estimator

Glendale, CA · On-site

$85K - $112K/yr

Technology Position Summary We are seeking a highly skilled and detail-oriented Audio Video ... This role requires a deep understanding of commercial AV system design, engineering, and cost ...

iFlow Inc

Senior AV Design & Operations Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$86K - $113K/yr

Job Title: Senior AV Design & Operations Engineer Location: Irvine ,CA Duration: 8 Months ... Responsible for configuring, operating, and maintaining Audio-Visual (AV) equipment and solutions ...

Apple

Product Design Engineer - Beats

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$142K - $263K/yr

Experience with component modules (audio drivers, connectors, batteries, electronics packaging ... Engineering 3D CAD Expertise 2+ years of product design experience, or equivalent Experience in ...

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All JobsAudio Design Engineer JobsAudio Design Engineer Jobs in California

Audio Design Engineer information

See California salary details

$40K

$87K

$156.4K

How much do audio design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for audio design engineer in California is $86,995.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $67,100.00 and $97,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an audio design engineer do?

An Audio Design Engineer is responsible for creating, developing, and optimizing audio systems and components used in various products such as consumer electronics, automotive systems, and professional audio equipment. They work on tasks such as designing loudspeakers, microphones, amplifiers, and digital audio processing algorithms. These engineers often collaborate with other engineering teams to ensure that sound quality meets the desired standards and specifications. Their role may also involve testing prototypes, troubleshooting audio issues, and implementing improvements based on feedback.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an audio design engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Audio Design Engineer, you need a strong background in acoustics, audio signal processing, and electronic engineering, usually supported by a relevant degree. Proficiency with digital audio workstations (DAWs), signal analysis software, and industry-standard audio hardware is typically required, along with certifications like AVIXA CTS or Dante. Creativity, problem-solving skills, and effective communication help foster innovation and collaboration on complex audio projects. These skills and qualities are crucial to delivering high-quality audio solutions that meet technical and client requirements in diverse environments.

What are some common challenges faced by audio design engineers when working on cross-functional teams?

Audio Design Engineers often collaborate closely with hardware, software, and product design teams to integrate sound solutions effectively. A common challenge is aligning audio requirements with the constraints and timelines of other departments, which can require flexibility and strong communication skills. Ensuring that audio quality is maintained without compromising on size, power, or cost can also be demanding. Successful Audio Design Engineers proactively share feedback, adapt to evolving project needs, and work collaboratively to create the best user experience.

What is the difference between Audio Design Engineer vs Audio Software Engineer?

AspectAudio Design EngineerAudio Software Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Audio Engineering, Sound Design, or related fieldsBachelor's in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related fields
Work EnvironmentRecording studios, sound labs, hardware developmentSoftware development firms, tech companies, audio app development
Industry UsageMusic, film, gaming, broadcastMusic apps, digital audio workstations, audio processing software

Audio Design Engineers focus on creating and optimizing audio hardware and sound systems, while Audio Software Engineers develop software solutions for audio processing and applications. Both roles require technical skills but differ mainly in their focus on hardware versus software development within the audio industry.

Are audio design engineers paid well?

Audio design engineers typically earn competitive salaries that vary based on experience, location, and industry sector. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced engineers working in specialized fields or with advanced skills in digital audio workstations and sound engineering can earn higher compensation. Overall, the role is considered well-paying within the engineering and creative technology fields.

Is there a demand for an audio design engineer?

The demand for audio design engineers is strong in industries such as entertainment, gaming, consumer electronics, and professional audio equipment. As technology advances, skills in digital audio workstations, signal processing, and acoustics are increasingly sought after, with job growth expected to continue in these fields.

What are popular job titles related to Audio Design Engineer jobs in California?

For Audio Design Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Audio Design Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Audio Design Engineer jobs in California are:

Infographic showing various Audio Design Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $86,995 per year, or $41.8 per hour.

Product Design Engineer

San Jose, CA • On-site

Hark
See more jobs at Harkexternal

$120K - $300K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 22 hours ago

Key responsibilities

  • Lead mechanical design of hardware components from concept to production.

  • Convert industrial design intent into manufacturable engineering solutions and define specifications.

  • Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams and external partners to support prototypes and resolve manufacturing issues.

Job description

About Hark

Hark is an artificial intelligence company building advanced, personalized intelligence. One that is proactive, multimodal, and capable of interacting with the world through speech, text, vision, and persistent memory.

We're pairing that intelligence with next-generation hardware to create a universal interface between humans and machines. While today's AI largely operates through chat boxes and decade-old devices, Hark is focused on what comes next: agentic systems that interact naturally with people and the real world.

To get there, we're developing multimodal models and next-generation AI hardware together - designed from the ground up as a single, unified interface for a new era of intelligent systems.

About the Role

We're hiring a Product Design Engineer to help shape the physical form of our AI-powered devices. You'll work across the full product development cycle - concept sketches, CAD modeling, prototyping, and DFM - collaborating with electrical and ML engineers to design enclosures and mechanisms that accommodate complex sensor arrays, thermal systems, and compact compute modules.

Responsibilities

  • Lead mechanical design of core hardware (enclosures, structural components, flex assemblies, interconnects) from concept to production
  • Convert industrial design intent into reliable, manufacturable, and precise engineering solutions, maintaining product vision and structural/functional performance
  • Define and own specifications, tolerances, material selections, and 3D CAD across processes like injection molding, die casting, stamping, and CNC machining
  • Drive Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) with manufacturing partners from early concept through production builds
  • Use tolerance analysis, FEA, and DOE's to validate designs and resolve failure modes pre-assembly
  • Collaborate with Industrial Design, Electrical Engineering, Acoustic Engineering, Reliability & Operations to unify design considerations (functionality, thermal management, human factors, reliability, cost, and aesthetics)
  • Build functional prototypes in-house and travel to manufacturing facilities to support builds and resolve issues

Requirements

  • Bachelor's in mechanical or product design engineering (or similar)
  • 7+ years shipping consumer hardware from concept to mass production
  • Deep fluency in mechanical CAD (NX preferred), strong GD&T, tolerance analysis, dimensional management, and statistical software (JMP) 
  • Comfortable with hands-on prototyping and external partners
  • Hands-on experience designing for high-volume manufacturing (injection molding, die casting, stamping, CNC machining)
  •  Proven ability to balance mechanical, electrical, and industrial design trade-offs at the system level
  • Direct experience collaborating with external suppliers and contract manufacturers, including onsite factory support
  • Comfortable in early-stage product development with ambiguous constraints and open solution space

Bonus Qualifications

  • Masters in mechanical engineering, product design engineering, mechatronics engineering or similar
  • Experience in new product architecture & shipping first generation devices in a lead role
  • Experience with in-field failure analysis
  • Experience integrating complex sensors including microphones & cameras
  • Experience integrating displays, audio modules etc.

Compensation

The US base salary range for this full-time position is between $120,000 - $300,000 annually.

The pay offered for this position may vary based on several individual factors, including job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package may also include additional components/benefits depending on the specific role. This information will be shared if an employment offer is extended.

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