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Entry Level Computer Hardware Engineer Jobs in California

... Computer Engineering, or related field. 2+ years in hardware systems design Design of complex ... system architectures with strong electrical engineering fundamentals Ability to identify design ...

$100K - $500K/yr

Background in Electrical/Computer Engineering or Computer Science with 1-3 years of experience in ... Solid understanding of standard chip interfaces, bus protocols, and hardware synchronization ...

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field * Proven experience in hardware validation, lab testing, and PCB-level debugging * Strong ...

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field * Proven experience in hardware validation, lab testing, and PCB-level debugging * Strong ...

Applies advanced video knowledge (e.g., video codec, computer vision, video standards) and design ... Collaborates with members of design engineering teams to guide engineers for video hardware/system ...

About the Role: The Hardware Group is looking for a Hardware Systems Engineer to join our San ... Handle the light CAD yourself: MCAD for brackets, mounts, and fixtures; ECAD for embedded platforms ...

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Entry Level Computer Hardware Engineer information

See California salary details

$108.1K

$143.6K

$176.2K

How much do entry level computer hardware engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level computer hardware engineer in California is $143,594.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $118,400.00 and $168,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an Entry Level Computer Hardware Engineer job?

An Entry Level Computer Hardware Engineer designs, tests, and develops computer hardware components such as processors, circuit boards, memory devices, and peripherals. They work under the guidance of senior engineers to improve system performance and troubleshoot hardware issues. Their responsibilities may also include collaborating with software engineers to ensure compatibility between hardware and software. Typically, they are employed by technology companies, hardware manufacturers, or research institutions. This role requires a background in electrical or computer engineering and proficiency in hardware design tools.

What are typical projects or tasks for entry-level computer hardware engineers?

Entry-level computer hardware engineers are often involved in tasks such as assisting in the design and testing of circuit boards, performing system integration, and supporting senior engineers with troubleshooting and validation. They may also be responsible for documenting test results, updating schematics, and conducting research on new components or technologies. Team members frequently work together to prototype hardware solutions, address technical challenges, and ensure products meet performance and safety standards. This collaborative environment provides valuable on-the-job learning and exposure to the full hardware development lifecycle.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Entry Level Computer Hardware Engineer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Computer Hardware Engineer, you need a solid understanding of digital and analog circuits, computer architecture, and a bachelor's degree in electrical or computer engineering. Familiarity with hardware design tools like Verilog/VHDL, PCB layout software, and proficiency in using oscilloscopes or logic analyzers are often required, along with relevant internships or lab experience. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective teamwork and communication abilities help individuals excel in this role. These competencies ensure you can contribute to the design, testing, and troubleshooting of hardware systems while collaborating smoothly with multidisciplinary teams.

What are the most commonly searched types of Computer Hardware Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of Computer Hardware Engineer jobs in California are:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Computer Hardware Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Computer Hardware Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Entry Level Computer Hardware Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Entry Level Computer Hardware Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Entry Level Computer Hardware Engineer job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 13% Contract. Highlights an 96% In-person, and 4% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $143,594 per year, or $69 per hour.
Camera & Photos - Hardware Operations Engineer

Camera & Photos - Hardware Operations Engineer

Apple

Cupertino, CA • On-site

$152K - $201K/yr

Full-time

Posted 11 days ago


Apple rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 670 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

5th of 30 rated technology retailers


Job description

iPhone is the most popular camera in the world. The seamless integration of software and hardware has led to features like Cinematic Mode, Portrait Mode, and Center Stage, which deliver experiences that are magical! The Camera team focuses on user-experience, utilizing computer vision and image processing through machine learning. Our team works hard on products that ship to millions of people, and we are looking for people who want to do the same. We aim to deliver an unsurpassed media experience by combining forward-leaning software techniques with the latest innovations in hardware across all of Apple's innovative devices.
As a Hardware Operations Engineer on our team, you'll play a vital role behind the scenes - ensuring engineering teams have the right hardware in the right configurations at the right time to develop and validate the next generation of camera capabilities. You'll be the critical link between global supply partners and the engineers who depend on having the right devices to do their best work.
Description
This role coordinates hardware needs across global supply partners and internal teams, forecasting demand, identifying constraints, and driving resolution to unblock engineering workflows. The Hardware Operations Engineer collaborates closely with supply chain partners, hardware allocation teams, and camera engineering teams to ensure timely and accurate delivery of hardware configurations, serving as the critical link between external manufacturing partners and internal engineering teams.
Minimum Qualifications
Familiarity with hardware lifecycle management, including procurement, lead times, configuration management, and distribution
Project or program management experience
Prior experience in a lab or hardware operations environment
Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience
Preferred Qualifications
Deep understanding of Apple's device ecosystem and hardware configurations
Experience coordinating across global supply chain and internal operations teams
Experience tracking and managing hardware requests across multiple stakeholders
Strong communication, organizational skills, and attention to detail
Self-starter who can problem-solve quickly, juggle conflicting priorities, and escalate issues effectively
Experience with forecasting, capacity planning, and resource allocation
Ability and willingness to collaborate with cross-functional teams across multiple geographies, both in person and virtually

What Apple employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


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About Apple

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Imagine what you could do here! At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming extraordinary products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your job and there's no telling what you could accomplish. Dynamic, intelligent people and inspiring, innovative technologies are the norm here. The people who work here have reinvented entire industries with all Apple Hardware products. The same real passion for innovation that goes into our products also applies to our practices strengthening our dedication to leave the world better than we found it.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Cupertino, CA, US

Year founded

1976