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Contract Electrical Engineering Jobs in Riverside, CA

Senior Electrical Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$115K - $150K/yr

Additional Engineering & Collaboration Duties Develop multilevel Bills of Materials (BOMs ... Work with thirdparty suppliers for technical services, component sourcing, contract manufacturing ...

Senior Electrical Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$115K - $150K/yr

Additional Engineering & Collaboration Duties * Develop multilevel Bills of Materials (BOMs ... Work with third-party suppliers for technical services, component sourcing, contract manufacturing ...

Principal Electrical Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$149K - $182K/yr

Principal Electrical Engineer Irvine, CA (Onsite) Position Summary Thales is looking for a ... Engineering, Industrial Operations, Procurement, NPI teams, development partners, contract ...

Principal Electrical Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$148K - $181K/yr

Principal Electrical Engineer Irvine, CA (Onsite) Position Summary Thales is looking for a ... Engineering, Industrial Operations, Procurement, NPI teams, development partners, contract ...

... provide engineering support for Line Replaceable Units (LRU) and Printed Circuit Board Assembly ... Qualification test lab, OEMs and Contract manufacturers. Key Areas of Responsibility * Responsible ...

Sr. Mechanical/Electrical Engineer

Lake Forest, CA · On-site

$114K - $148K/yr

This role combines hands-on engineering, technical leadership, supplier collaboration, and new ... Partner with global suppliers and contract manufacturers to review product designs, tooling ...

Electrical Engineer 1

Irvine, CA · On-site

$75K - $95K/yr

Why RESOLVEM? We're an engineering services firm specializing in R&D design support of new products ... and contract manufacturers, from prototype through pilot manufacturing to commercial-scale ...

Showing results 21-40

Contract Electrical Engineering information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$52.7K

$115.9K

$175.3K

How much do contract electrical engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract electrical engineering in Riverside, CA is $115,898.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $86,600.00 and $137,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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 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 are the most commonly searched types of Electrical Engineering jobs in Riverside, CA?

The most popular types of Electrical Engineering jobs in Riverside, CA are:

What job categories do people searching Contract Electrical Engineering jobs in Riverside, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Contract Electrical Engineering jobs in Riverside, CA are:

What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Contract Electrical Engineering jobs?

Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Contract Electrical Engineering job openings:

Infographic showing various Contract Electrical Engineering job openings in Riverside, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 88% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $115,898 per year, or $55.7 per hour.

Sr. Electrical Engineer

Irvine, CA • On-site

$150K - $250K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 19 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Lead system architecture and end-to-end subsystem ownership from concept to validation and production release.

  • Design and develop power electronics, embedded digital systems, and mixed-signal hardware using industry-standard ECAD tools.

  • Define validation/test strategies and perform electrical analysis, troubleshooting, and hardware iterations.


Job description

Senior Electrical Engineer

Location: Irvine, CA (onsite)

Employment Type: Full-Time

Salary Range: $150,000 – $250,000 USD (Base salary dependent on experience, skills, and location; eligible for bonus, equity, and comprehensive benefits)

About the Opportunity

Aerospace is at a turning point—costs are rising, supply chains are strained, and legacy building methods can't keep up. Our client is breaking that mold. Combining start-up agility with deep aerospace expertise, they design, build, and scale next-generation aircraft using automation, AI-driven tools, and a fully connected digital backbone.

Here, you won't just take a job—you will help reinvent how the world flies. If you are ready to solve complex problems, push technology further, and collaborate with top-tier talent, this is your opportunity to make a direct impact.

Role Overview

As a Senior Electrical Engineer, you will lead the architecture, design, and integration of complex electrical and electromechanical systems. Your scope will span actuator drives, power electronics, avionics communication, energy management, and high-performance hardware across aerospace, robotics, and advanced mobility applications.

This is a hands-on role for an engineer who thrives at the intersection of architecture and execution—someone who can translate system requirements into robust, certifiable, and manufacturable hardware from concept through production release.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead system architecture and end-to-end subsystem ownership from concept to validation and production release.
  • Design and develop power electronics, embedded digital systems, and mixed-signal hardware using industry-standard ECAD tools (Altium, Cadence, or equivalent).
  • Drive DFM, DFT, DFC, DFA, and cost-reduction decisions early in design cycles to ensure clean manufacturing scale-up.
  • Create schematics, guide PCB layouts, and enforce strong signal integrity and EMI/EMC discipline.
  • Architect communication bus physical layers (CAN and other aviation protocols) for fault-tolerant avionics systems.
  • Partner directly with suppliers and contract manufacturers for prototype builds, first-article inspections, and yield optimization.
  • Define validation/test strategies (ICT, functional test coverage, ESS) and run electrical analysis (SPICE simulation, signal integrity, power-stage evaluation).
  • Perform hands-on lab bring-up, troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, and rapid hardware iterations.

What You Bring

  • Experience: 8+ years developing and shipping complex electronic hardware into production.
  • Education: Bachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering (or equivalent practical experience).
  • ECAD Expertise: Proficiency in Altium or comparable tools, including schematic capture, PCB layout, stack-up definition, and release documentation.
  • Domain Breadth: Hands-on experience across power electronics, motor drives, microcontroller systems, sensor interfacing, and communication buses (CAN, RS-485, ARINC, etc.).
  • Industrialization: Proven track record working with suppliers/CMs to resolve board yield, test coverage, and quality issues.
  • Mindset: Strong first-principles thinker with a bias toward action, comfortable working in lab environments, and balancing cost, performance, and reliability.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Background in aerospace, aviation, automotive, robotics, or high-performance, fast-iteration hardware industries.
  • Exposure to safety-critical environments (e.g., DO-254, DO-160, ARP4754B, ARP4761).
  • Scripting experience (MATLAB, Python) for test automation and analytical modeling.
  • Background in electric propulsion or high-reliability actuator drive systems.

What's Offered

  • Competitive base compensation ($150k–$250k) plus equity, performance bonuses, and full health, dental, and vision benefits.
  • 401(k) retirement plan.
  • Opportunity to work with elite engineering talent in a fast-moving, high-impact environment.