ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Graduate Hardware Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Apple

Hardware Technologies PhD Internships

Washington, DC · On-site

$139K - $184K/yr

In this internship, you will have the opportunity to work among the best engineers in the world on ... to graduate. Preferred Qualifications * Previous demonstrated internship or project work in ...

Copeland

$110 - $160/hr

## Lead Project/Hardware EngineerApplyremote type: Hybridlocations: Sidney, OH, USAtime type: Full ... graduate with an advanced degree, we have opportunities that will allow you to innovate, be ...

previous page

Showing results 41-60

All JobsTechnology JobsDesktop Support JobsDesktop Engineer JobsGraduate Hardware Engineer Jobs

Graduate Hardware Engineer information

See salary details

$51K

$146.2K

$196.5K

How much do graduate hardware engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for graduate hardware engineer in the United States is $146,230.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $123,500.00 and $163,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a graduate hardware engineer?

A Graduate Hardware Engineer is an entry-level role focused on designing, developing, and testing hardware components such as circuits, processors, and embedded systems. They work with senior engineers to create and optimize electronic systems for various applications, including computing, telecommunications, and consumer electronics. Responsibilities may include schematic design, PCB layout, testing prototypes, and troubleshooting hardware issues. Strong analytical skills, knowledge of electronic design tools, and an understanding of industry standards are essential. This role offers hands-on experience and the opportunity to grow into senior engineering positions.

What does a graduate hardware engineer do?

A typical day for a Graduate Hardware Engineer involves collaborating with senior engineers to design, prototype, and test hardware components or systems. You may spend time using design software, participating in technical meetings, troubleshooting prototypes in the lab, or documenting your findings. Most roles include frequent teamwork and cross-functional collaboration with software engineers, project managers, or manufacturing teams. This dynamic environment helps new engineers rapidly develop technical expertise and problem-solving abilities while building a strong professional network.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a graduate hardware engineer?

To thrive as a Graduate Hardware Engineer, you typically need a strong background in electrical or electronic engineering, with proficiency in circuit design, debugging, and fundamental hardware concepts. Familiarity with CAD tools like Altium or Cadence, as well as experience with hardware description languages (HDLs) such as VHDL or Verilog, is often required. Analytical thinking, attention to detail, teamwork, and effective communication are valuable soft skills for success in this role. These skills are crucial for designing reliable hardware, solving complex technical problems, and collaborating efficiently within engineering teams.

More about Graduate Hardware Engineer jobs

What cities are hiring for Graduate Hardware Engineer jobs?

Cities with the most Graduate Hardware Engineer job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Graduate Hardware Engineer jobs?

The most popular types of Graduate Hardware Engineer jobs are:

What states have the most Graduate Hardware Engineer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Graduate Hardware Engineer jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Graduate Hardware Engineer jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Graduate Hardware Engineer jobs are:

Graduate Hardware Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Graduate Hardware Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, and 20% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $146,230 per year, or $70.3 per hour.

Principal Hardware Engineer, Precision Instrumentation

Astera

Emeryville, CA • On-site

$200K - $350K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 22 days ago

Job description

About the Role
At Astera Neuro, we are deciphering how activity across billions of neurons becomes thought, perception, and the conscious experience of the world and ourselves. Doing that requires building cutting-edge tools and infrastructure to interface with, record, and control neural activity at an unprecedented scale.
You will design and build the physical systems our experiments depend on, most of which don't exist commercially. Working directly with scientists, you will develop a design, build it, and iterate until it works for the experiment. Some projects are well specified from the start; others begin as a rough idea that takes shape as you build. The work crosses mechanical design, fabrication, electronics, and optics, often within a single project. You do not need a background in neuroscience to apply; we are looking for world-class generalists who have built precision hardware in demanding industry settings, and who pick up the science as they go.
This is a principal-level role. You will own complex instruments end-to-end and drive technical direction. You will also help equip and run our design and prototyping facility, set the engineering culture and standards as the hardware team grows, mentor and hire the engineers who join you, and shape what experiments are possible here. You will report to [reporting line; confirm] and work directly with our scientists.
What You Will Build
  • Precision mechanical systems for experiments, such as titanium microfixtures, micrometer-precision electrode drives, and custom machined jigs.
  • Components for custom microscopes and optical systems, including alignment and mounting hardware.
  • Custom laboratory instrumentation and surgical or experimental robotics, designed and iterated alongside the scientists who depend on them.
  • Electronics and control hardware that interface mechanical systems with data acquisition and the rest of the research stack.
  • The design and prototyping facility itself: tooling, workflows, and fabrication capabilities that determine how fast the team can move.

What We Are Looking For
  • A world-class generalist and hands-on problem-solver who has built precision hardware in a high-precision industry, ideally medical devices, robotics, aerospace, semiconductor capital equipment, or commercial scientific instrumentation. You have designed and built hardware that other people relied on for real work, and you kept it running.
  • Resourcefulness about getting things built quickly: you will machine one part, 3D-print the next, and send a job out for what is better outsourced.
  • Comfort working from a rough idea rather than a finished spec, figuring out the path to a working instrument together with the people who need it.
  • Deep fundamentals in mechanical design and fabrication, with real working ability in electronics or optics. You do not restrict yourself to what is familiar.
  • Intellectually curious, collaborative, and eager to learn the science around you.
  • A track record of owning complex instruments end-to-end, from concept through fabrication, integration, and reliable operation.
  • Experience making and defending design tradeoffs across performance, manufacturability, cost, and timeline.
  • Experience equipping and running a workshop, makerspace, or prototyping facility.
  • A history of mentoring engineers or setting engineering culture and standards.

Bonus
  • Experience with small precise parts, difficult materials, tight tolerances, precision motion, or optical alignment.
  • Hands-on electronics design (PCB layout, embedded systems, sensor/actuator integration).
  • Familiarity with electrophysiology or other low-volume, high-complexity hardware environments.
  • CAD/CAM proficiency with hands-on machining (CNC, lathe, mill) and 3D printing.
  • Experience integrating hardware with data acquisition systems (DAQ, TTL synchronization, serial/SPI protocols).

Education
Backgrounds in mechanical, electrical, or biomedical engineering, physics, or related fields are all welcome. Graduate work or research experience is a plus but not required.
About Astera Neuro
Astera Neuro is a neuroscience research company deciphering how activity across billions of neurons becomes thoughts, perceptions, and the conscious experience of the world and ourselves. We develop cutting-edge hardware, recording systems, and software, with the goal of enabling the next generation of discoveries about neural circuits, cognition, and behavior.
Compensation
Total compensation is competitive and commensurate with the level of experience and qualifications.

Apply