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Hardware Design Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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 ...

Hardware Design Engineer

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$150K - $243K/yr

Hardware Design Engineer We are seeking a passionate and experienced Hardware Design Engineer to lead the development of high-reliability electronics for space applications. In this role, you will ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

Hardware Design Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$148K - $165K/yr

We are seeking a Hardware Design Engineer to join our talented design team. In this role, you will play a critical part in the research, design, development, and testing of high-performance server ...

Hardware Design Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$148K - $165K/yr

We are seeking a Hardware Design Engineer to join our talented design team. In this role, you will play a critical part in the research, design, development, and testing of high-performance server ...

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 ...

Hardware Design Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$148K - $165K/yr

We are seeking a Hardware Design Engineer to join our talented design team. In this role, you will play a critical part in the research, design, development, and testing of high-performance server ...

Hardware Design Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$148K - $165K/yr

We are seeking a Hardware Design Engineer to join our talented design team. In this role, you will play a critical part in the research, design, development, and testing of high-performance server ...

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Showing results 1-20

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 Jul 13, 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 are Hardware Design Engineers?

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.

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 cities in California are hiring for Hardware Design Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Hardware Design Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Hardware Design Engineer job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $145,580 per year, or $70 per hour.
Hardware Design Engineer

Hardware Design Engineer

Apple

Sunnyvale, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 25 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

Apple is where individual imaginations gather together, committing to the values that lead to great work. Do you have a passion for taking on big challenges? Do you love pushing the limits of what's considered feasible? As part of our Wireless Hardware group, you'll be responsible for bringing groundbreaking wireless connectivity to the world. On this team, you'll help improve the performance of our products through innovative system-on-chip designs. You and your team will build platform architecture that paves the way for all-new experiences, including the ones that allow people to take advantage of our innovations in sensor technology. Together, our goal is to ensure nothing stands in the way of our customers' connections with their devices. Join us and help build world-renowned wireless systems that connect customers to their world like never before.
We have built the best RF hardware design team on the planet! We're looking for a dedicated individual to join our team. We support WiFi, Bluetooth, UWB, NFC, and emerging technologies. 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 applicant should be familiar with computer system architecture, digital design and power distribution networks. The candidate will work proactively with various cross-functional engineering groups responsible for other blocks in the system. May require traveling internationally.
Description
In this role you will drive end-to-end hardware design for cutting-edge wireless systems, from schematic and layout implementation to bring-up and validation of digital interfaces and power supplies. Collaborate cross-functionally with hardware, software, and silicon teams as well as external chipset vendors to deliver robust, high-performance mixed signal solutions.
Minimum Qualifications
BS required
Good understanding of protocol specifications for communication interfaces like PCIe, MIPI, I2C, SPI, UART, etc.
Experience with power supply/power management and power distribution networks
Hands on debug experience with usage of modern lab equipment (DSOs, Logic Analyzers, Protocol Analyzers)
Preferred Qualifications
MSEE is preferred
Experience in writing basic software routines and test scripts
Strong desire to investigate system level issues and drive problems to closure in a team-based environment with a proactive demeanor
Experience with mobile and/or embedded processors and memory systems
Experience with circuit schematic capture/layout
Experience interacting with offshore manufacturing partners
Successful track record of delivering highly innovative communication products
Experience with high volume, low power, mobile products

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