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Hardware Design Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Aptino

Hardware Design Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

Hardware Design Engineer Location: Irvine, CA (Onsite) Duration: 6-12 Months Contract Job Type: C2C & W2 Contract Job Summary We are seeking an experienced Hardware Design Engineer to support the ...

Experis

Hardware Design Engineer

Carlsbad, CA · On-site

As a Hardware Design Engineer, you will be part of the Silicon One optics development organization supporting the Design-for-Test (DFT) initiatives. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong ...

Super Micro Computer

Hardware Design Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$110K - $130K/yr

We are seeking a motivated Hardware Design Engineer to join our engineering team in San Jose. The successful candidate will participate in the design and development of enterprise server motherboards ...

Supermicro

Hardware Design Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$110K - $130K/yr

We are seeking a motivated Hardware Design Engineer to join our engineering team in San Jose. The successful candidate will participate in the design and development of enterprise server motherboards ...

Supermicro

Hardware Design Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$110K - $130K/yr

We are seeking a motivated Hardware Design Engineer to join our engineering team in San Jose. The successful candidate will participate in the design and development of enterprise server motherboards ...

Super Micro Computer

Hardware Design Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$110K - $130K/yr

We are seeking a motivated Hardware Design Engineer to join our engineering team in San Jose. The successful candidate will participate in the design and development of enterprise server motherboards ...

Apple

Hardware Design Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

As a Mixed Signal Hardware Design Engineer, you will be responsible for the design, implementation and verification of digital and power portions of wireless designs across all Apple products. The ...

hyve solutions

Hardware Design Engineer

Fremont, CA · On-site

$99K - $135K/yr

Participate in design reviews and learn industry best practices for server hardware development. * Support engineering activities throughout the product lifecycle from concept through production.

Hyve Solutions

Hardware Design Engineer

Fremont, CA · Hybrid

$99K - $135K/yr

Participate in design reviews and learn industry best practices for server hardware development. * Support engineering activities throughout the product lifecycle from concept through production.

Apple

Hardware Design Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

As a Mixed Signal Hardware Design Engineer, you will be responsible for the design, implementation and verification of digital and power portions of wireless designs across all Apple products. The ...

Cisco

Hardware Design Engineer

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$135K - $193K/yr

As a Hardware Engineer, you will develop high-performance board designs for Cisco's next-generation ... Participate in the design and sustenance of complex, high-speed multi-layer PCBs, incorporating ...

Tensordyne

Hardware Design Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

About the role To keep pace in this exciting, multi-disciplinary field, we're looking for a Hardware Design Engineer. You will be in a unique position to have ownership of a wide-ranging list of ...

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All JobsHardware Design Engineer JobsHardware Design Engineer Jobs in California

Hardware Design Engineer information

See California salary details

$68.6K

$145.6K

$212.2K

How much do hardware design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for hardware design engineer in California is $145,580.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $118,400.00 and $171,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To excel as a Hardware Design Engineer, you generally need a strong background in electrical engineering, circuit design, and proficiency with schematic capture and PCB layout, often supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with industry-standard tools like Altium Designer, Cadence, or OrCAD, and knowledge of simulation and testing equipment are typically required. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork are crucial soft skills that help you innovate and troubleshoot efficiently. These skills and qualities ensure reliable hardware development, seamless collaboration, and successful project outcomes in a competitive tech industry.

What is a hardware design engineer?

Hardware Design Engineers are professionals who design, develop, and test physical components and systems for electronic devices. They work on creating circuit boards, microprocessors, memory devices, and other hardware used in computers, smartphones, and various electronic products. These engineers use specialized software tools to plan and simulate hardware designs before building and evaluating prototypes. Their work is essential for bringing new technology products to market and improving existing devices.

What are some typical challenges hardware design engineers face when collaborating with cross-functional teams?

Hardware Design Engineers often work closely with firmware, software, and manufacturing teams to ensure seamless integration of their designs. A common challenge is aligning the hardware specifications with changing software requirements or manufacturing constraints, which may require iterative design adjustments. Effective communication and documentation are essential to avoid misunderstandings and ensure that all teams are synchronized throughout the product development cycle. Building strong relationships across disciplines can greatly enhance the efficiency and success of collaborative projects.

What does a hardware design engineer do?

A hardware design engineer uses their advanced knowledge of computer systems and schematics to develop and build useful hardware. Their duties include identifying hardware needs, building new hardware pieces, and testing and analyzing the results to ensure the system works as desired. Hardware design engineers must have in-depth knowledge of computer components and processes to understand internet-ready computer systems. They must maintain their knowledge of the latest software and networking needs so they can design hardware that interacts with the internet appropriately. Hardware design engineers work in teams with software developers to ensure that all components are capable of working together.

What is the difference between Hardware Design Engineer vs Electronics Engineer?

AspectHardware Design EngineerElectronics Engineer
Primary FocusDesigning and developing hardware components and systemsDesigning, testing, and troubleshooting electronic circuits and devices
Required SkillsCircuit design, PCB layout, hardware testingCircuit analysis, component selection, electronic testing
Work EnvironmentHardware labs, manufacturing facilities, R&D departmentsElectronics labs, research centers, manufacturing
Common CertificationsIEEE certifications, PCB design certificationsCertified Electronics Technician (CET), IEEE certifications

While both roles involve working with electronic systems, Hardware Design Engineers focus on creating physical hardware components like circuit boards, whereas Electronics Engineers often work on electronic circuit design, testing, and troubleshooting. Both roles are essential in electronics development and often collaborate in product development cycles.

More about Hardware Design Engineer jobs
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 jobs in California? For Hardware Design Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Hardware Design Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Hardware Design Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Hardware Design Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Hardware Design Engineer job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Hardware Design Engineer jobs in CA? For Hardware Design Engineer jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Hardware Design Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Hardware Design Engineer job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $145,580 per year, or $70 per hour.

Hardware Design Engineer

Aptino

Irvine, CA • On-site

Other

Posted 11 days ago

Job description

Job Title: Hardware Design Engineer

Location: Irvine, CA (Onsite)
Duration: 6–12 Months Contract

Job Type: C2C & W2 Contract

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced Hardware Design Engineer to support the design, development, testing, and validation of advanced electronic hardware systems for automotive and embedded applications. The ideal candidate will have strong experience in PCB design, circuit validation, and hardware troubleshooting.

Key Responsibilities
  • Design, develop, and validate electronic hardware solutions.
  • Support existing hardware by troubleshooting issues and improving system performance and reliability.
  • Perform root cause analysis of hardware failures and recommend effective design improvements.
  • Create and execute hardware test plans to verify functionality and performance.
  • Optimize hardware designs for manufacturability, quality, and scalability.
  • Collaborate with software, firmware, and mechanical engineering teams to ensure successful product integration.
Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor''s degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
  • 7+ years of experience in hardware design and development, preferably within the automotive or embedded systems industry.
  • Strong knowledge of analog and digital circuit design.
  • Hands-on experience with Altium, Cadence, or OrCAD for schematic capture and PCB layout.
  • Understanding of signal integrity, power integrity, and thermal management.
  • Experience working with high-speed communication protocols such as Ethernet, PCIe, MIPI, or GMSL.
  • Experience with high-speed hardware validation, circuit debugging, and troubleshooting.
  • Strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.

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