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Computer Hardware Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

OpenAI

Software Engineer, Hardware

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$225K - $455K/yr

... computer hardware entrusted to you from theft, loss or damage; return all computer hardware in your possession (including the data contained therein) upon termination of employment or end of ...

Core Systems

Computer Assembler

Poway, CA · On-site

$17.75 - $21/hr

... computer hardware and software components - Ability to read and interpret technical manuals and schematics - Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills - Ability to work in a fast-paced ...

Core Systems

Computer Assembler

Poway, CA · On-site

$17.75 - $21/hr

... computer hardware and software components - Ability to read and interpret technical manuals and schematics - Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills - Ability to work in a fast-paced ...

Core Systems

Computer Assembler

Poway, CA

$17.75 - $21/hr

... computer hardware and software components - Ability to read and interpret technical manuals and schematics - Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills - Ability to work in a fast-paced ...

Core Systems

Computer Assembler

Poway, CA

$21/hr

... computer hardware and software components - Ability to read and interpret technical manuals and schematics - Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills - Ability to work in a fast-paced ...

Core Systems

Computer Assembler

Poway, CA · On-site

$17.75 - $21/hr

... computer hardware and software components - Ability to read and interpret technical manuals and schematics - Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills - Ability to work in a fast-paced ...

Super Micro Computer

Associate Product Manager

San Jose, CA · On-site

$87K - $146K/yr

We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Associate Product Manager to support initiatives across our computer hardware portfolio and partner programs. This role will be responsible for driving ...

Naughty Dog

IT Hardware Generalist

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

... computer hardware, software, and peripherals for users • Track hardware assets from procurement through deployment, maintenance, and retirement • Maintain accurate inventory records and hardware ...

Saalex

Computer Operator II

Ridgecrest, CA

$27.09/hr

Saalex is seeking an Computer Operator II in Ridgecrest, CA. Saalex is an Engineering and ... Provide support for troubleshooting operational hardware, software, and data processing issues and ...

Saalex

Computer Operator II

Ridgecrest, CA · On-site

$27.09/hr

Saalex is seeking an Computer Operator II in Ridgecrest, CA. Saalex is an Engineering and ... Provide support for troubleshooting operational hardware, software, and data processing issues and ...

Saalex

Computer Operator II

Ridgecrest, CA · On-site

$27.09/hr

Saalex is seeking an Computer Operator II in Ridgecrest, CA. Saalex is an Engineering and ... Provide support for troubleshooting operational hardware, software, and data processing issues and ...

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All JobsComputer Hardware JobsComputer Hardware Jobs in California

Computer Hardware information

See California salary details

$12

$21

$42

How much do computer hardware jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for computer hardware in California is $21.58, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.15 and $21.59 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a computer hardware job?

A computer hardware job involves designing, installing, maintaining, and repairing physical computer components such as motherboards, processors, memory, and storage devices. Professionals in this field often work in technical environments, requiring knowledge of hardware troubleshooting, tools, and sometimes certifications like CompTIA A+. The role may include tasks like assembling computers, diagnosing hardware issues, and upgrading systems.

What are the qualifications to get a computer hardware job?

The qualifications that you need to start a career in computer hardware depend on your career plans and potential job responsibilities. A hardware designer or engineer may want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering, computer science, or electrical engineering. To become a computer hardware technician, you may need a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering, but most employers accept an associate’s degree in computer engineering, electrical engineering, or information technology. You may wish to earn an associate degree in computer repair to learn repair skills for both hardware and software.

What is a computer hardware professional?

Computer hardware professionals are specialists who design, develop, test, and maintain the physical components of computers and related systems. Their work involves creating and improving devices such as processors, memory modules, circuit boards, and peripheral equipment. They often collaborate with software engineers to ensure compatibility and optimal system performance. These professionals may work in roles such as hardware engineers, technicians, or support specialists in various industries.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a computer hardware engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Computer Hardware Engineer, you need a strong background in electrical engineering, circuit design, and computer architecture, often supported by a bachelor's degree in computer or electrical engineering. Familiarity with hardware description languages (HDL), CAD tools, and testing equipment is typically required, along with certifications like CompTIA A+ or Cisco certifications. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective teamwork set top performers apart in this field. These skills and qualifications are vital for designing, testing, and optimizing reliable hardware components that meet evolving technology demands.

What is the difference between Computer Hardware vs Computer Support Specialist?

AspectComputer HardwareComputer Support Specialist
Primary FocusDesign, assemble, and repair physical computer componentsAssist users with software, hardware issues, and troubleshooting
Required SkillsHardware installation, troubleshooting, technical knowledge of componentsCustomer service, problem-solving, basic hardware and software knowledge
Work EnvironmentRepair shops, manufacturing, IT departmentsHelp desks, support centers, corporate IT teams
CertificationsCompTIA A+, Cisco certificationsCompTIA A+, Microsoft certifications

While both roles involve working with computer systems, Computer Hardware specialists focus on physical components, repairs, and assembly. In contrast, Computer Support Specialists assist users with both hardware and software issues, providing troubleshooting and technical support. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in computer hardware roles?

Professionals in computer hardware roles often encounter challenges such as keeping up with rapidly evolving technology, troubleshooting complex hardware issues, and ensuring compatibility between components. They must also balance the need for performance and cost-effectiveness when designing or recommending hardware solutions. Additionally, collaborating with software teams to resolve integration issues and adhering to strict production deadlines are common aspects of the job.

What careers work with computer hardware?

Careers that work with computer hardware include computer hardware engineers, who design and develop computer components, and computer repair technicians, who troubleshoot and repair hardware issues. Other related roles include network administrators and IT support specialists, who manage and maintain hardware systems in various organizations. These jobs often require knowledge of hardware components, troubleshooting skills, and certifications such as CompTIA A+.
More about Computer Hardware jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Computer Hardware jobs in California? The most popular types of Computer Hardware jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Computer Hardware jobs in California? For Computer Hardware jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Computer Hardware jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Computer Hardware jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Computer Hardware jobs? Cities in California with the most Computer Hardware job openings:
Computer Hardware jobs near you
Infographic showing various Computer Hardware job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 80% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 19% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $44,877 per year, or $21.6 per hour.

Software Engineer, Hardware

OpenAI

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$225K - $455K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 10 days ago

Job description

About the Team
OpenAI's Hardware organization develops AI-native silicon and system-level solutions for the unique demands of advanced AI workloads. Building on efforts like Jalapeño, the team is developing future generations of AI-native silicon and tightly integrated systems to power the next generation of frontier models. By co-designing chips, systems, tools, and methodologies, the team helps deliver faster, more efficient, and production-ready hardware for OpenAI's supercomputing platform.
About the Role
As a software engineer on the Scaling team, you'll help build and optimize the low-level stack that orchestrates computation and data movement across OpenAI's supercomputing clusters. Your work will involve designing high-performance runtimes, building custom kernels, contributing to compiler infrastructure, and developing scalable simulation systems to validate and optimize distributed training workloads.
You will work at the intersection of systems programming, ML infrastructure, and high-performance computing, helping to create both ergonomic developer APIs and highly efficient runtime systems. This means balancing ease of use and introspection with the need for stability and performance on our evolving hardware fleet.
This role is based in San Francisco, CA, with a hybrid work model (3 days/week in-office). Relocation assistance is available.
In this role, you will:
  • Design and build APIs and runtime components to orchestrate computation and data movement across heterogeneous ML workloads.
  • Contribute to compiler infrastructure, including the development of optimizations and compiler passes to support evolving hardware.
  • Engineer and optimize compute and data kernels, ensuring correctness, high performance, and portability across simulation and production environments.
  • Profile and optimize system bottlenecks, especially around I/O, memory hierarchy, and interconnects, at both local and distributed scales.
  • Develop simulation infrastructure to validate runtime behaviors, test training stack changes, and support early-stage hardware and system development.
  • Rapidly deploy runtime and compiler updates to new supercomputing builds in close collaboration with hardware and research teams.
  • Work across a diverse stack, primarily using Rust and Python, with opportunities to influence architecture decisions across the training framework.
You might thrive in this role if you:
  • Have a deep curiosity for how large-scale systems work and enjoy making them faster, simpler, and more reliable.
  • Are proficient in systems programming (e.g., Rust, C++) and scripting languages like Python.
  • Have experience in one or more of the following areas: compiler development, kernel authoring, accelerator programming, runtime systems, distributed systems, or high-performance simulation.
  • Are excited to work in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment with evolving hardware and ML system demands.
  • Value engineering excellence, technical leadership, and thoughtful system design.

About OpenAI
OpenAI is an AI research and deployment company dedicated to ensuring that general-purpose artificial intelligence benefits all of humanity. We push the boundaries of the capabilities of AI systems and seek to safely deploy them to the world through our products. AI is an extremely powerful tool that must be created with safety and human needs at its core, and to achieve our mission, we must encompass and value the many different perspectives, voices, and experiences that form the full spectrum of humanity.
We are an equal opportunity employer, and we do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or other applicable legally protected characteristic.
For additional information, please see OpenAI's Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement.
Background checks for applicants will be administered in accordance with applicable law, and qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment consistent with those laws, including the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the California Fair Chance Act, for US-based candidates. For unincorporated Los Angeles County workers: we reasonably believe that criminal history may have a direct, adverse and negative relationship with the following job duties, potentially resulting in the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment: protect computer hardware entrusted to you from theft, loss or damage; return all computer hardware in your possession (including the data contained therein) upon termination of employment or end of assignment; and maintain the confidentiality of proprietary, confidential, and non-public information. In addition, job duties require access to secure and protected information technology systems and related data security obligations.
To notify OpenAI that you believe this job posting is non-compliant, please submit a report through this form. No response will be provided to inquiries unrelated to job posting compliance.
We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, and requests can be made via this link.
OpenAI Global Applicant Privacy Policy
At OpenAI, we believe artificial intelligence has the potential to help people solve immense global challenges, and we want the upside of AI to be widely shared. Join us in shaping the future of technology.

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