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

... 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 ...

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+ ...

... design. The candidate will work proactively with other cross-functional engineering groups ... Description This is an EE (a.k.a baseband HW) position in the Hardware Technology group of Apple ...

The Cellular RF Hardware Design Engineer will design, develop, and optimize radio frequency (RF) hardware circuits and systems for wireless communications devices. The engineer will be responsible ...

The Cellular RF Hardware Design Engineer will design, develop, and optimize radio frequency (RF) hardware circuits and systems for wireless communications devices. The engineer will be responsible ...

The Cellular RF Hardware Design Engineer will design, develop, and optimize radio frequency (RF) hardware circuits and systems for wireless communications devices. The engineer will be responsible ...

Reliability Hardware Design Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$120K - $151K/yr

The engineer is coordinating with Design and PE to be responsible for Reliability Hardware Design, HTOL/THB/bHAST BI Vector Validation, and lead the external Rel lab Qual execution. * For NPD ...

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. Description The ...

The Role We're looking for an experienced electrical engineering leader who will own the hardware design practices and guiding principles of our platform. You'll steer the evolution of our ECAD tool ...

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Showing results 1-20

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.

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:
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.
Hardware Design Engineer Technical Lead

Hardware Design Engineer Technical Lead

Cisco

San Francisco, CA

$168K - $241K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 19 days ago


Cisco Systems rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 40 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

47th of 139 rated electronics manufacturers


Job description

The application window is expected to close on: 07/28/2026

Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received.

Meet the Team

The Common Hardware Group (CHG) creates innovative hardware platforms central to the AI era, powering Cisco's core Switching, Routing, and Wireless products for organizations globally. Our innovations in silicon, optics, and hardware platforms-like Silicon One-are shaping the technology industry. We're a global team of creative experts, bringing our unique backgrounds and bold ideas to push boundaries and help each other grow. Because full product development-from design to qualification to production-is within our team, we're able to think differently, experiment more, and work quickly. Join us to power the future of the digital world.

Your Impact

Hardware design technical lead is a key member of the Cisco Purpose Built Switch hardware team.

  • Define and design the next generation Hyperscaler Switch hardware based on Silicon One and/or merchant ASIC.

  • Responsible for system and board level specification, schematic capture, FPGA design, ASIC/System level bring up and troubleshooting.

  • The individual is expected to bring up the system to work with multiple groups including ASIC, DFT, Signal Integrity, software, Diagnostics and Manufacturing team to resolve any design issues.

  • Debug and troubleshoot in labs using scopes and analyzers

  • Act as technical liaison with major component Suppliers for the product

Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering or Telecommunications and 8+ years of experience, or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering or Telecommunications and 6+ years of experience, or PhD in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering + 3 years in system level development.

  • Prior experience with common HW technology, including power, clock, memory, CPU, and variety of system interfaces.

  • Previous experience with complex high-speed board design and board bring-up.

  • Prior experience with schematics/layout, Hardware bring-up, trouble-shooting, system level testing.

  • Experience with working with Software team on system bring-up and porting, devices configuration (registers level).

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with schematics, PCB and Verilog HDL/VHDL design

  • Experience on the scripts (Python, Tcl, etc.)

  • Experience with lab bring up and design validation of products

  • Knowledge on the Ethernet protocol is a plus

  • Experience with access switch Ethernet interfaces: gigabit, multi gigabit, 10 gigabit.

  • Experience with high speed Ethernet interfaces: 25G, 100G, 400G, 800G.

  • Experience with DRAM, CPU subcomplex and control interfaces such as PCIe, I2C, SPI, MDC/MDIO

  • Self-motivation, teamwork and strong communication skills are essential.

Why Cisco?

At Cisco, we're revolutionizing how data and infrastructure connect and protect organizations in the AI era - and beyond. We've been innovating fearlessly for 40 years to create solutions that power how humans and technology work together across the physical and digital worlds. These solutions provide customers with unparalleled security, visibility, and insights across the entire digital footprint.

Fueled by the depth and breadth of our technology, we experiment and create meaningful solutions. Add to that our worldwide network of doers and experts, and you'll see that the opportunities to grow and build are limitless. We work as a team, collaborating with empathy to make really big things happen on a global scale. Because our solutions are everywhere, our impact is everywhere.

We are Cisco, and our power starts with you.

Message to applicants applying to work in the U.S. and/or Canada:The starting salary range posted for this position is $168,800.00 to $241,200.00 and reflects the projected salary range for new hires in this position in U.S. and/or Canada locations, not including incentive compensation*, equity, or benefits.

Individual pay is determined by the candidate's hiring location, market conditions, job-related skillset, experience, qualifications, education, certifications, and/or training. The full salary range for certain locations is listed below. For locations not listed below, the recruiter can share more details about compensation for the role in your location during the hiring process.

U.S. employees are offered benefits, subject to Cisco's plan eligibility rules, which include medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability coverage, and basic life insurance. Please see the Cisco careers site to discover more benefits and perks. Employees may be eligible to receive grants of Cisco restricted stock units, which vest following continued employment with Cisco for defined periods of time.

U.S. employees are eligible for paid time away as described below, subject to Cisco's policies:

  • 10 paid holidays per full calendar year, plus 1 floating holiday for non-exempt employees

  • 1 paid day off for employee's birthday, paid year-end holiday shutdown, and 4 paid days off for personal wellness determined by Cisco

  • Non-exempt employees** receive 16 days of paid vacation time per full calendar year, accrued at rate of 4.92 hours per pay period for full-time employees

  • Exempt employees participate in Cisco's flexible vacation time off program, which has no defined limit on how much vacation time eligible employees may use (subject to availability and some business limitations)

  • 80 hours of sick time off provided on hire date and each January 1st thereafter, and up to 80 hours ofunused sick timecarried forwardfrom one calendar yearto the next

  • Additional paid time away may be requested to deal with critical or emergency issues for family members

  • Optional 10 paid days per full calendar year to volunteer

For non-sales roles, employees are also eligible to earn annual bonuses subject to Cisco's policies.

Employees on sales plans earn performance-based incentive pay on top of their base salary, which is split between quota and non-quota components, subject to the applicable Cisco plan. For quota-based incentive pay, Cisco typically pays as follows:

  • .75% of incentive target for each 1% of revenue attainment up to 50% of quota;

  • 1.5% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 50% and 75%;

  • 1% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 75% and 100%; and

  • Once performance exceeds 100% attainment, incentive rates are at or above 1% for each 1% of attainment with no cap on incentive compensation.

For non-quota-based sales performance elements such as strategic sales objectives, Cisco may pay 0% up to 125% of target. Cisco sales plans do not have a minimum threshold of performance for sales incentive compensation to be paid.

The applicable full salary ranges for this position, by specific state, are listed below:

New York City Metro Area:

$168,800.00 - $277,400.00

Non-Metro New York state & Washington state:

$148,800.00 - $248,200.00

* For quota-based sales roles on Cisco's sales plan, the ranges provided in this posting include base pay and sales target incentive compensation combined.

** Employees in Illinois, whether exempt or non-exempt, will participate in a unique time off program to meet local requirements.


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About Cisco Systems

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Cisco Systems, a global tech titan based in San Jose, CA, US, operates in the information technology and services industry. Founded in 1984, the company was derived from a project between two computer scientists from Stanford University. They aimed to connect different networks of computer systems at the university, resulting in the first multi-protocol router, and subsequently, the birth of Cisco. As an industry-leading manufacturer of networking hardware and telecommunications equipment, Cisco's product and services range includes routers, switches, firewall devices, and telecommunication technology. The company's mission, "to shape the future of the Internet by creating unprecedented value and opportunity for our customers, employees, investors, and ecosystem partners," is a testament to its pursuit of technology-forward innovation and customer satisfaction.

Industry

Computer and computer peripheral equipment and software wholesalers

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

San Jose, CA, US

Year founded

1984

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