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Contract Electrical Engineering Jobs in California

Electrical Engineering Team Lead

San Francisco, CA ยท On-site +1

$185K - $270K/yr

As our Electrical Engineering Team Lead, you'll own that bridge. You'll guide the team that designs ... Serve as the primary technical interface with our contract manufacturers - running NPI (New Product ...

Provide lead supervision of staff (City and/or contract employees) assigned to a variety of electrical engineering projects; participate in the implementation of goals and objectives for the ...

Electrical Engineering Team Lead

San Francisco, CA ยท On-site +1

$185K - $270K/yr

As our Electrical Engineering Team Lead, you'll own that bridge. You'll guide the team that designs ... Serve as the primary technical interface with our contract manufacturers -- running NPI (New ...

Senior Electrical Engineer

Anaheim, CA ยท On-site

$133K - $200K/yr

Provide lead supervision of staff (City and/or contract employees) assigned to a variety of electrical engineering projects; participate in the implementation of goals and objectives for the ...

You will be embedded within an engineering and construction management team delivering transmission ... Salary: $125K-$170K DOE Contract Duration: Open-ended engagement aligned with project scope ...

Electrical Engineer - Power

Mountain View, CA ยท On-site

$140K - $190K/yr

Business customers have contracts with agreed-upon performance standards for their broadband, and ... Electrical engineering is responsible for ensuring that flight avionics on the logos bus and ...

Electrical Design Manager

Fremont, CA ยท On-site

$134K - $172K/yr

We are seeking an experienced Electrical Design Manager to join our team on a 6-month contract basis . The ideal candidate will have a strong electrical engineering background and proven experience ...

Showing results 41-60

Contract Electrical Engineering information

What are some common challenges contract electrical engineers face when working with multiple clients simultaneously?

Contract electrical engineers often juggle several projects at once, which can make time management and prioritization challenging. Each client may have different expectations, communication styles, and project requirements, so adapting quickly and maintaining clear documentation is essential. Additionally, contract engineers need to stay up-to-date with various industry standards and ensure that their work complies with differing regulations for each client. Successful contract electrical engineers are proactive communicators and skilled at managing shifting deadlines to deliver high-quality results.

What is the difference between Contract Electrical Engineering vs Electrical Engineering?

AspectContract Electrical EngineeringElectrical Engineering
CredentialsTypically requires a relevant degree and professional licensing; often involves freelance or temporary certificationsRequires a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering; licensure (PE) is common for advanced roles
Work EnvironmentProject-based, flexible locations, often remote or on-site at client sitesOffice-based, research labs, or manufacturing facilities; more permanent employment
Employer & Industry UsageConsulting firms, contractors, freelance projects in construction, power, and automationManufacturers, tech companies, utilities, and government agencies

Contract Electrical Engineering involves temporary, project-specific work often with flexible locations, while Electrical Engineering typically refers to full-time roles within organizations. Both roles require relevant credentials, but contract roles emphasize adaptability and freelance work, whereas full-time electrical engineers focus on ongoing development and design within companies.

What is a contract electrical engineer?

Contract electrical engineers are professionals who work on a temporary or project-specific basis to design, develop, test, and supervise the manufacturing and installation of electrical systems and equipment. Unlike full-time employees, they are usually hired for a set duration or to complete specific projects, offering flexibility to both employers and engineers. Their work can span industries such as construction, manufacturing, energy, and telecommunications. Contract electrical engineers often bring specialized expertise and can help organizations meet tight deadlines or fill skill gaps without committing to long-term employment.

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

To thrive as a Contract Electrical Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering principles, circuit design, and relevant industry experience, typically supported by a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. Proficiency in CAD software (such as AutoCAD or Altium), simulation tools, and knowledge of electrical codes and standards is crucial, along with certifications like Professional Engineer (PE) being advantageous. Strong problem-solving, time management, and effective communication skills help you excel in client-facing and project-based environments. These competencies are vital for delivering quality results on time, ensuring compliance, and maintaining strong professional relationships while working independently or with diverse teams.

What are the most commonly searched types of Electrical Engineering jobs in California?

The most popular types of Electrical Engineering jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Contract Electrical Engineering jobs?

Cities in California with the most Contract Electrical Engineering job openings:

Infographic showing various Contract Electrical Engineering job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution.

Electrical Engineering Team Lead

Waabi

San Francisco, CA โ€ข On-site, Remote

$185K - $270K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Posted 10 days ago


Job description

Waabi, founded by AI visionary Raquel Urtasun, is the leader in Physical AI. With a world-class team, we're unlocking the next era of autonomous transportation with technology that's powering commercial autonomous trucks and robotaxis. Waabi is backed by and partners with world leaders in AI, automotive, logistics, and deep tech.

With offices in Toronto, San Francisco, Dallas, and Pittsburgh, Waabi is growing quickly and looking for diverse, innovative and collaborative candidates who want to impact the world in a positive way. To learn more visit: www.waabi.ai

Waabi builds generative AI for the physical world, starting with autonomous trucks. The hardware behind that intelligence has to be as rigorous as the software - road-ready, manufacturable at scale, and trusted by the OEMs whose trucks it lives in.

As our Electrical Engineering Team Lead, you'll own that bridge. You'll guide the team that designs Waabi's custom electronics and carries them from prototype to production, making sure every design is built for the assembly line and meets the exacting standards of our OEM partners and our own safety and functional requirements.

This position is open to candidates in both San Francisco & Pittsburgh with the expectations of 4 days onsite.

You Will...
  • Lead the team. Guide and mentor a group of electrical engineers working on high-performance embedded compute and robust power distribution. Set technical direction and help people do the best work of their careers.

  • Design for scale. Drive Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Testability (DFT) across every hardware iteration, moving from prototype toward zero-defect mass production.

  • Own the CM relationship. Serve as the primary technical interface with our contract manufacturers - running NPI (New Product Introduction) cycles, conducting line audits, and clearing production bottlenecks.

  • Partner with our OEMs. Be the technical face of Waabi to our OEM partners, translating their supplier requirements into engineering specifications and making sure our hardware integrates cleanly into their vehicle platforms.

  • Uphold functional safety and quality. Ensure electrical systems meet automotive standards such as ISO 26262 and AEC-Q100, and maintain a roadmap for long-term reliability in the field.

Qualifications

  • BS/MS in Electrical Engineering or a related field, or equivalent hands-on experience.

  • 10+ years in hardware development, including time leading or mentoring engineers. (Formal management experience is a plus, not a prerequisite - we care that you can grow a team.)

  • Deep experience with complex PCB design, high-speed signaling, and the thermal challenges of AV compute platforms.

  • A strong grasp of power distribution and DC-DC conversion for high-performance compute and sensor loads, plus a clear understanding of how that hardware interfaces with the vehicle's power architecture.

  • Fluency with the automotive production world - you know PPAP, APQP, and what automotive-grade reliability actually demands.

Nice-to-haves

  • Direct experience owning a CM or OEM technical relationship through an NPI cycle.

  • Hands-on functional-safety work under ISO 26262.

  • Comfort moving between the lab bench and the high-level roadmap - happy to debug hardware yourself, and able to step back and set direction.

The US yearly salary range for this role is: $185,000 - $270,000 USD in addition to competitive perks & benefits. Waabi (US) Inc.'s yearly salary ranges are determined based on several factors in accordance with the Company's compensation practices. The salary base range is reflective of the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position across all US locations.ย  Note: The Company provides additional compensation for employees in this role, including equity incentive awards and an annual performance bonus.

Perks/Benefits:
- Competitive compensation and equity awards.
- Health and Wellness benefits encompassing Medical, Dental and Vision coverage (for full-time employees only).
- Unlimited Vacation.
- Flexible hours and Work from Home support.
- Daily drinks, snacks and catered meals (when in office).
- Regularly scheduled team building activities and social events both on-site, off-site & virtually.
- As we grow, this list continues to evolve!ย 

Waabi is a technology start-up building technologies to transform the way the world moves. Join our talented team to be a part of the future and to make an impact!

Waabi is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating a supportive, inclusive, and accessible workplace for all our employees. We seek applicants of all backgrounds and identities, across race, color, ethnicity, national origin or ancestry, age, citizenship, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, military or veteran status, marital status, pregnancy or parental status, caregiver status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. We make workplace accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities as required by applicable law. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process please let our recruiting team know.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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