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Hardware Design Engineer Jobs in San Ramon, CA (NOW HIRING)

Astreya

Senior Hardware Design Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$107K - $134K/yr

What this job entails We are seeking a Senior Hardware Design Engineer to drive end-to-end system development for one of our client's next-generation portable electronic systems. In this role, you'll ...

Astreya

Senior Hardware Design Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$107K - $134K/yr

What this job entails We are seeking a Senior Hardware Design Engineer to drive end-to-end system development for one of our client's next-generation portable electronic systems. In this role, you'll ...

Apple

Mixed Signal Hardware Design Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$181K - $318K/yr

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 ...

Apple

Baseband Hardware Design Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

... design. The candidate will work proactively with other multi-functional engineering groups. This is an EE (Baseband HW) position in the Hardware Technology group of Apple and it is one of the most ...

Apple

Baseband Hardware Design Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

... design. The candidate will work proactively with other multi-functional engineering groups. This is an EE (Baseband HW) position in the Hardware Technology group of Apple and it is one of the most ...

Apple

RF/mmW Hardware Design Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

The RF/mmW Hardware Design Engineer will design, develop, and optimize radio frequency hardware circuits and systems for wireless communications devices operating at mmW frequencies. The engineer ...

Apple

Baseband Hardware Design Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

... design. The candidate will work proactively with other cross-functional engineering groups. Position may require some international travel. This is an EE (a.k.a baseband HW) position in the Hardware ...

Cisco

Hardware Design Engineer Technical Lead

San Jose, CA · On-site

$168K - $241K/yr

Your Impact Hardware design technical lead is a key member of the Cisco Purpose Built Switch ... Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering or Telecommunications and 8+ ...

Apple

Baseband Hardware Design Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$126K - $220K/yr

... design. The candidate will work proactively with other multi-functional engineering groups. Description This is an EE (Baseband HW) position in the Hardware Technology group of Apple and it is one of ...

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All JobsHardware Design Engineer JobsHardware Design Engineer Jobs in San Ramon, CA

Hardware Design Engineer information

See San Ramon, CA salary details

$77.7K

$164.8K

$240.3K

How much do hardware design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for hardware design engineer in San Ramon, CA is $164,847.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $134,100.00 and $194,400.00 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.

Is there a demand for hardware engineers?

Hardware Design Engineers are in high demand due to the growth of electronics, IoT, and embedded systems industries. Employers seek professionals skilled in circuit design, FPGA, and CAD tools, with job opportunities available across various sectors including consumer electronics, automotive, and telecommunications.

What engineers make $500,000?

Senior hardware design engineers with extensive experience, advanced skills in FPGA, ASIC, or PCB design, and often in specialized industries like aerospace or semiconductor manufacturing can earn $500,000 or more annually. High compensation typically involves leadership roles, bonuses, stock options, or working in high-demand, high-cost regions.

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 do hardware design engineers do?

Hardware design engineers develop and test electronic circuits, components, and systems used in computers, consumer electronics, and industrial equipment. They create schematics, select appropriate components, and use CAD tools to design hardware that meets performance and safety standards, often collaborating with software engineers and testing teams.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior hardware design engineers, especially those with extensive experience, specialized skills in FPGA or ASIC design, and working in high-demand industries like aerospace or semiconductor manufacturing, can earn $300,000 or more annually. Compensation often includes bonuses, stock options, and other incentives, particularly at large tech companies or in leadership roles.

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 job categories do people searching Hardware Design Engineer jobs in San Ramon, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Hardware Design Engineer jobs in San Ramon, CA are:
What cities near San Ramon, CA are hiring for Hardware Design Engineer jobs? Cities near San Ramon, CA with the most Hardware Design Engineer job openings:
Hardware Design Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Hardware Design Engineer job openings in San Ramon, CA as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $164,847 per year, or $79.3 per hour.
Principal Engineer, Electronic Hardware Design

Principal Engineer, Electronic Hardware Design

Ayar Labs

San Jose, CA • On-site

$180K - $250K/yr

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago

Job description

Principal Engineer, Electronic Hardware Design
Location: San Jose, CA
Ayar Labs is shattering AI data bottlenecks by moving data at the speed of light. As pioneers of co-packaged optics (CPO), we are using light instead of electricity to move data faster, further, and with a fraction of the energy needed to fuel the explosive growth of AI models.
Backed by industry giants like NVIDIA, AMD, Mediatek and Intel and manufactured in partnership with the world's leading semiconductor ecosystem, Ayar Labs' co-packaged optics solution is key to unleashing next-generation AI scale-up architectures.
We are seeking a Principal Electronic Hardware Design Engineer to help us revolutionize photonic interconnects for high performance computing. The exceptional candidate will be highly motivated and energetic, willing to take on paradigm-shifting systems design challenges to meet growing scale-up and scale-out bandwidth needs.
The Principal Hardware Design Engineer role will take ownership over New Product Introduction (NPI) for External Laser Source (ELS) module hardware design. The candidate must demonstrate excellent capability to execute multi-disciplinary projects, meeting aggressive schedules and technical requirements.
Ayar Labs is a process-driven and collaborative design environment; the successful candidate will be organized and communicative. This role is full-time on-site in our San Jose office.
Essential Functions
  • Create and maintain External Laser Source module specifications to meet product requirements
  • Manage communication between cross-functional teams including optical, mechanical and thermal design disciplines
  • Design printed circuit boards schematics for all functions of External Laser Source NPI
  • Manage hardware design resources internal and external to Ayar Labs
  • Develop and execute validation test plans for all laser module hardware design components

Required Qualifications
  • Bachelors in Electrical Engineering with 12+ years of industry experience, or Masters/PhD in Electrical Engineering with 10+ years of industry experience
  • Strong fundamentals in low-noise analog circuit design and electromagnetics
  • Expert knowledge of electro-optic building blocks such as TIA and Laser Driver
  • Power user of Altium PCB design tools, including Altium 365 and Agile workflows
  • Deep understanding of BMC architecture for enclosure management (OCP)
  • Expert experience using electrical and electro-optic lab equipment such as: Oscilloscope, VNA, ESA, OSA, protocol analyzer, etc..
  • Expert user of circuit simulation tools such as LTspice, PSpice, and vendor-specific switching regulator software
  • Strong programming ability in python, with the ability to automate hardware testing and analysis
  • Strong ability in fundamental embedded programming concepts: real-time operating systems, MCU memory usage, bootloader, serial interfaces

Preferred Qualifications
  • Optical transceiver design experience (OSFP, QSFP-DD, CDFP)
  • Firmware development in C (bare-metal / RTOS)
  • Basic RTL development (FPGA, CPLD)
  • Basic Mechanical CAD tool experience (Solidworks, Fusion)

Salary range: $180,000 - $250,000
NOTE TO RECRUITERS:
Principals only. We are not accepting resumes from recruiters for this position. Remuneration for recruiting activities is only applicable subject to a signed and executed agreement between the parties. Please don't send candidates to Ayar Labs, and do not contact our managers.
Ayar Labs is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is strongly committed to all policies which will afford equal opportunity employment to all qualified persons without regard to age, sex, national origin, race, color, ethnicity, creed, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. It is the policy of Ayar Labs to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. Veterans are more than welcome and encouraged to apply.

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