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Hardware Design Engineer Entry Level Jobs in California

OpenAI

Hardware Tools Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

... design workflows. • Improve developer experience and reliability: reproducible builds, better error messages, faster iteration loops, and dependable CI and regression infrastructure. • Work ...

Apple

NFC RF Design Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

As part of our Wireless Hardware group, you'll be responsible for bringing groundbreaking wireless ... As an NFC Hardware Design Engineer, you will contribute to the architecture, design, and ...

Apple

Digital Hardware Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA

$129K - $225K/yr

Description The digital hardware design engineer will closely work with internal hardware and silicon teams to bring-up, characterize (performance/power) and validate new digital interfaces ...

Apple Inc.

Digital Hardware Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$129.30 - $225.30/hr

Description The digital hardware design engineer will closely work with internal hardware and silicon teams to bring‑up, characterize (performance/power) and validate new digital interfaces ...

Skild AI

Mechanical Design Engineer

San Mateo, CA

$86K - $117K/yr

Design, prototype, and test hardware systems for human-robot interaction * Create detailed CAD ... Collaborate with software engineers, mechanical engineers, and other team members to integrate ...

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Hardware Design Engineer Entry Level information

What are some typical challenges faced by entry-level hardware design engineers when transitioning from academia to industry?

Entry-level Hardware Design Engineers often find the transition from academic projects to real-world product development to be a significant adjustment. In industry, projects typically involve stricter deadlines, larger teams, and the need to balance technical requirements with cost, manufacturability, and compliance standards. Learning to use industry-standard design tools, adapting to established workflows, and effectively communicating design changes within multidisciplinary teams can be challenging but are crucial for professional growth. Embracing feedback and seeking mentorship can help new engineers navigate these challenges successfully.

What does an entry-level hardware design engineer do?

An entry-level Hardware Design Engineer assists in designing, testing, and developing physical components for electronic devices and systems. They typically work with schematics, PCB layouts, and simulation tools to help bring hardware products from concept to prototype. These engineers often collaborate with senior engineers, troubleshoot hardware issues, and help ensure that designs meet performance and quality standards. Entry-level roles are a great way to gain hands-on experience and learn industry best practices.

What is the difference between Hardware Design Engineer Entry Level vs Hardware Design Engineer?

AspectHardware Design Engineer Entry LevelHardware Design Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field; internship experienceBachelor's or Master's degree; several years of experience
Work EnvironmentEntry-level positions in design teams, labs, or manufacturing settingsMid to senior-level roles with increased responsibilities
Employer & Industry UsageStart of career in electronics, consumer devices, or telecommunications companiesDesigning complex hardware for advanced electronics, aerospace, or automotive industries

In summary, a Hardware Design Engineer Entry Level is an entry-stage role requiring foundational education and limited experience, focusing on learning and supporting design tasks. A Hardware Design Engineer typically has more experience, handles complex projects, and takes on greater responsibilities within the hardware development process.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry-level hardware design engineer?

To thrive as an Entry-Level Hardware Design Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering principles, circuit design, and problem-solving, typically supported by a relevant bachelor's degree. Familiarity with CAD tools such as Altium Designer or OrCAD, and experience with hardware description languages (HDL) like VHDL or Verilog, are commonly required. Strong attention to detail, effective teamwork, and good communication skills help you collaborate efficiently and adapt to project challenges. These competencies are crucial for ensuring reliable hardware designs, smooth project execution, and successful integration within engineering teams.

What are the most commonly searched types of Hardware Design Engineer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Hardware Design Engineer jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Hardware Design Engineer Entry Level jobs in California?

For Hardware Design Engineer Entry Level jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Hardware Design Engineer Entry Level jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Hardware Design Engineer Entry Level jobs in California are:

Hardware Design Engineer Entry Level jobs near you
Infographic showing various Hardware Design Engineer Entry Level job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 85% Full Time, 8% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution.

Electrical Engineer (Hardware Design)

Freeform

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$105K - $140K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 19 days ago

Job description

ELECTRICAL ENGINEER (HARDWARE DESIGN)
Freeform builds AI-native manufacturing systems that unify software, hardware, and physics to produce industrial-scale parts at the speed of human ideation. By treating manufacturing as a single integrated system, we unlock a new era of innovation where complex hardware is designed, built, and scaled without limits.
As an Electrical Engineer at Freeform, you will play an integral role in the design and development of custom electronics that bring our advanced metal 3D printing factory systems to life. You'll work with a talented engineering team from some of the world's most innovative companies on electrical system design, development, and integration efforts across the factory systems, with a specific focus on PCB and compute system design. You will use a first-principles approach to solving problems and tackling new areas within electrical engineering that you may not have directly worked on before. The ideal candidate is capable of running projects from cradle to grave and has the ability to work effectively with other engineering disciplines.
3D printing experience is not required to be successful here - rather we look for smart, motivated, collaborative engineers who love solving hard problems and creating amazing technology!
Responsibilities:
  • Rapidly design, develop and test highly reliable electronics and PCBs
  • Model and simulate circuit designs for analysis and performance
  • Contribute to electrical architecture, product requirements, component selection, analysis, schematic capture, prototyping, bring-up, debugging, documentation, product management, productization, manufacturing, and test
  • Drive component selection, analysis, schematic capture, prototyping, bring-up, debugging, documentation, manufacturing, and test
  • Hands-on debugging of the unexpected via the use of laboratory test equipment, custom instrumentation, and testing setups

Basic Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or computer engineering from an ABET accredited university or college
  • 2+ years of professional experience designing and delivering complex electrical hardware
  • Well-versed in electrical engineering fundamentals and comfortable taking a first-principles approach to solving problems

Nice to Have:
  • Advanced degree (Master's, PhD) in electrical engineering
  • Familiarity with industrial automation technologies, robotics, spacecraft avionics, or similar high-performance electromechanical system
  • Experience with sensors, embedded microcontroller design and firmware, and FPGA hardware and software development
  • Experience with high-speed data acquisition systems, high-accuracy motion systems, high-speed scanning systems, or similar camera/telemetry-based control systems
  • Comfortable working in fast-paced, ambiguous environments and iterating quickly (comfortable building the plane as we fly it)
  • Strong communicator who collaborates across disciplines and proactively seeks support when needed
  • Willing to take ownership of tasks big and small, with a hands-on, problem-solving mindset
  • Strong work ethic with a refuse-to-fail mindset
  • Demonstrated indicators of excellence and/or achieving success against adversity (i.e. top academic performance, leadership in engineering clubs, first-generation college student, or other examples of resilience and achievement)

Location:
  • Based in Hawthorne, our vertically integrated facility brings technology development, R&D, and production together under one roof. We operate at the center of LA's deep tech ecosystem, surrounded by some of the most ambitious hardware innovation happening anywhere in the country.
  • Our fast-paced, cross-functional environment is built on close collaboration, and as such, this role requires full-time onsite presence (five days a week), with very limited exceptions.

What We Offer:
  • We have an inclusive and diverse culture that values collaboration, learning, and making deliberate data-driven decisions.
  • We offer a unique opportunity to be an early and integral member of a rapidly growing company that is scaling a world-changing technology.
  • Benefits
    • Significant stock option packages
    • 100% employer-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance (premium PPO and HMO options)
    • Life insurance
    • Traditional and Roth 401(k)
    • Relocation assistance provided
    • Paid vacation, sick leave, and company holidays
    • Generous Paid Parental Leave and extended transition back to work for the birthing parent
    • Free daily catered lunch and dinner, and fully stocked kitchenette
    • Casual dress, flexible work hours, and regular catered team building events
  • Compensation
    • Our intent is to offer a salary that is commensurate for the company's current stage of development and allows the employee to grow and develop within a role.
    • In addition to the significant stock option package, the estimated salary range for this role is $105,000-$140,000, dependent on the candidate's academic level (Bachelors, Masters, or PhD) and demonstrated out of classroom experience.
  • Freeform is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values diversity; employment with Freeform is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

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