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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 ...

AlfaTech

Design Engineer, Technology

San Jose, CA · On-site

$95K - $115K/yr

Design Engineer, Technology About Us At AlfaTech we believe in more than just engineering solutions ... This will include but is not limited to Low Voltage, Audio Visual, Security, and Wireless systems.

Hark

Product Design Engineer

San Jose, CA

$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 ...

AlfaTech

Design Engineer, Technology

San Jose, CA

$95K - $115K/yr

Design Engineer, Technology About Us At AlfaTech we believe in more than just engineering solutions ... This will include but is not limited to Low Voltage, Audio Visual, Security, and Wireless systems.

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

$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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

Apex Informatics

Design Engineer III

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

Design Engineer III Job Id: 56823-1 Location: Sunnyvale, CA Qualifications • BS in EE or ... Audio, Sensors and power charging components. • Manage and coach CM and PCB vendors on placement ...

Apple

Audio PD Engineer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

Apple has assembled an elite Audio Product Design team that helps enable our customers to ... We are looking for Product Design Engineers to help take Airpods to the next level. Could this be ...

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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 Jul 19, 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 engineers make $500,000?

Senior audio design engineers, especially those working in high-paying industries like gaming, film, or specialized audio technology, can earn $500,000 or more annually. Achieving this level typically requires extensive experience, advanced skills in digital signal processing, and often leadership roles or working for large corporations or successful startups.

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.

Do audio engineers get paid well?

Audio design engineers typically earn competitive salaries that vary based on experience, location, and industry. Entry-level positions may start lower, but experienced professionals working in film, gaming, or broadcast often earn higher wages, especially with specialized skills and certifications. Overall, the role offers the potential for good compensation within the audio industry.

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.

Do sound designers get paid well?

Sound designers, including those working as audio design engineers, can earn competitive salaries that vary based on experience, industry, and location. Entry-level positions typically start lower, while experienced professionals working in film, gaming, or advertising can earn higher wages, often supplemented by specialized skills and industry certifications.

Is there a high demand for audio engineers?

The demand for audio design engineers is strong in industries such as entertainment, gaming, and media production, with growth driven by advancements in technology and multimedia content. Skills in digital audio workstations, sound editing, and acoustics are highly valued, and employment opportunities are expected to increase as audio technology becomes more integrated into various sectors.

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 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:
Audio Design Engineer jobs near you
Product Design Engineer

Product Design Engineer

Hark

San Jose, CA • On-site

$120K - $300K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 3 days ago

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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