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Hardware Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Hardware Engineer

Foster City, CA ยท On-site

$143K - $190K/yr

Hardware Engineer, Test DevelopmentOnsite in Foster City \ 5 days in officeAs a hardware engineer you will be responsible for developing, documenting and executing component and system-level hardware ...

Hardware Engineer

Foster City, CA ยท On-site

$143K - $190K/yr

Hardware Engineer, Test DevelopmentOnsite in Foster City 5 days in officeAs a hardware engineer you will be responsible for developing, documenting and executing component and system-level hardware ...

Hardware Engineer

Foster City, CA ยท On-site

$143K - $190K/yr

Hardware Engineer, Test DevelopmentOnsite in Foster City \ 5 days in officeAs a hardware engineer you will be responsible for developing, documenting and executing component and system-level hardware ...

Hardware Engineer

San Mateo, CA ยท On-site

$140K - $185K/yr

Verkada's Hardware Engineers own all electrical engineering design and validation aspects, working directly with our JDM partners to ship cutting-edge products. This is a full-time, in-person role ...

Hardware Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA ยท On-site

$57 - $62/hr

Hardware Engineering - Hardware Engineer II Location: Sunnyvale, CA Duration: Contract - 12 months Pay Range: $57/hr $62/hr (W2) Job ID: 406695 About BCforward BCforward is a leading global IT ...

Hardware Engineer

San Jose, CA ยท On-site

$91K - $121K/yr

Hardware Development Engineering Build the hardware behind the world's data. As a Hardware Development Engineer, you'll help develop the technologies that make modern data storage faster, more ...

Hardware Engineer

San Jose, CA ยท On-site

$144K - $191K/yr

Hardware Development Engineering Build the hardware behind the world's data. As a Hardware Development Engineer, you'll help develop the technologies that make modern data storage faster, more ...

Hardware Engineer

San Jose, CA

$144K - $191K/yr

Hardware Development Engineering Build the hardware behind the world's data. As a Hardware Development Engineer, you'll help develop the technologies that make modern data storage faster, more ...

Hardware Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA ยท On-site

$185K - $247K/yr

The Role We are seeking an experienced Hardware Engineer to join our Hardware team and play a key role in developing next-generation autonomous driving compute platforms. This role focuses on low ...

Support identification of hardware problems and problem resolution, preparation of engineering plans and technical documentation and may participate in configuration management activities. You will ...

Hardware Engineer

San Mateo, CA ยท On-site

$140K - $185K/yr

Verkada's Hardware Engineers own all electrical engineering design and validation aspects, working directly with our JDM partners to ship cutting-edge products. This is a full-time, in-person role ...

Hardware Engineer

Fremont, CA

$135K - $178K/yr

What You'll Do As a Hardware Engineer, you'll play a critical role in configuring, validating, and optimizing hardware solutions tailored to customer needs. You'll collaborate with engineering, sales ...

Hardware Engineer

San Bruno, CA ยท On-site

$147K - $194K/yr

As a Hardware Engineer, you will join femtoAI's hardware team to help design and build our novel neural network accelerator. Working in a small, highly collaborative group, you will contribute ...

Hardware Engineer

Mountain View, CA ยท On-site

$145K - $192K/yr

Hardware Engineer (Waymo) Mountain View, CA Mission You'll be the hands-on troubleshooter ensuring our hardware systems work as designed from the drawing board to the real world, and meet our ...

Hardware Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA ยท Hybrid

$185K - $247K/yr

The Role We are seeking an experienced Hardware Engineer to join our Hardware team and play a key role in developing next-generation autonomous driving compute platforms. This role focuses on low ...

Hardware Engineer

Fremont, CA ยท On-site

$135K - $178K/yr

What You'll Do As a Hardware Engineer, you'll play a critical role in configuring, validating, and optimizing hardware solutions tailored to customer needs. You'll collaborate with engineering, sales ...

Hardware Engineer

Carlsbad, CA ยท On-site

$75K - $90K/yr

The Arlo Smart Home Device team is seeking an entry-level Hardware Engineer. We are looking for a new or recent EE graduate who is interested in a very hands-on position working within a team ...

Hardware Engineer

San Diego, CA ยท On-site

$127K - $168K/yr

Support identification of hardware problems and problem resolution, preparation of engineering plans and technical documentation and may participate in configuration management activities. You will ...

Hardware Engineer

Santa Clara, CA ยท On-site

$145K - $191K/yr

THE ROLE Join our System Hardware Development Team to engineer the next generation of enterprise storage solutions that power leading organizations globally. You will own the full hardware lifecycle ...

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Hardware Engineer information

See California salary details

$50.3K

$144.3K

$193.9K

How much do hardware engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for hardware engineer in California is $144,315.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $121,900.00 and $160,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a hardware engineer?

Hardware engineers are professionals who design, develop, test, and oversee the manufacturing of computer hardware, such as circuit boards, processors, memory devices, networks, and routers. They work closely with software engineers to ensure that hardware and software function together efficiently. Hardware engineers are involved in researching new technologies, improving existing hardware, and troubleshooting issues to enhance system performance. Their work is crucial in industries like computing, telecommunications, automotive, and consumer electronics.

What are some typical challenges hardware engineers face when working on cross-functional teams?

Hardware Engineers often collaborate closely with software developers, product managers, and manufacturing teams. One common challenge is aligning hardware specifications with software requirements, which may change throughout the development cycle. Effective communication and adaptability are essential, as Hardware Engineers must balance technical constraints, cost considerations, and evolving project goals. Staying proactive in cross-team meetings and clarifying expectations early on can help reduce misunderstandings and ensure smoother project delivery.

What can a hardware engineer do?

A hardware engineer designs, develops, tests, and maintains physical electronic components and systems such as circuit boards, processors, and embedded systems. They often use tools like CAD software and may require knowledge of programming, electronics, and industry standards to ensure functionality and reliability in various devices and equipment.

What is the difference between Hardware Engineer vs Electrical Engineer?

AspectHardware EngineerElectrical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Electrical, Electronics, or Computer EngineeringBachelor's in Electrical Engineering or related field
Work EnvironmentDesigning and testing hardware components, working in labs or officesDesigning electrical systems, working in labs, manufacturing, or field
Industry UsageElectronics, computer hardware, telecommunicationsPower systems, electronics, telecommunications, manufacturing

Hardware Engineers focus on designing and developing physical electronic components and systems, while Electrical Engineers work on electrical systems and power distribution. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and often collaborate in technology industries.

What does a hardware engineer do?

A hardware engineer, or computer hardware engineer, specializes in all aspects of computer hardware, including testing, repairing, building, and maintaining its efficiency. As a hardware engineer, your responsibilities include developing and installing new hardware systems for businesses, providing tech support to users with hardware issues, along with designing and building new products for manufacturers. You may specialize in areas such as internal components, servers, electrical engineering, cellular and tablet devices, or traditional computers and networks.

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

To thrive as a Hardware Engineer, a strong background in electrical engineering, circuit design, and computer architecture is essential, often supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with CAD software, PCB layout tools, and hardware description languages, as well as certifications like Certified Hardware Design Engineer (CHDE), are commonly required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective teamwork set outstanding hardware engineers apart. These skills and qualities are vital for designing reliable, high-performance hardware products that meet rigorous industry standards.
What are the most commonly searched types of Hardware Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of Hardware Engineer jobs in California are:
What job categories do people searching Hardware Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Hardware Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Hardware Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Hardware Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Hardware Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $144,315 per year, or $69.4 per hour.

Hardware Engineer

Vertex Sigma Software

Foster City, CA โ€ข On-site

$143K - $190K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 15 days ago


Job description

Hardware Engineer, Test DevelopmentOnsite in Foster City \ 5 days in officeAs a hardware engineer you will be responsible for developing, documenting and executing component and system-level hardware testing. You will collaborate with suppliers, design and system engineers to characterize the functional performance sense and compute hardware. You will be responsible for development testing on early prototypes and qualification testing on modules intended for vehicle use. Projects range from interface compliance testing to developing purpose built tools. We are looking for someone whos enthusiastic, innovative, a self-starter, and willing to take on the challenges to work with us as an exceptional hardware engineer.ResponsibilitiesTest ExecutionUse oscilloscopes, network analyzers, and other electrical/environmental test equipmentDevelop test setups via block diagrams, BoMs and test plansTest Infrastructure DevelopmentDevelop custom test assets such as load simulators, test harnessing and python scriptsFacilitate test infrastructure projects by working with procurement and suppliersDocumentationDraft and present Test Plans, Design Reviews, Test Readiness Reviews and Data ReviewsReview and consult on documentation release for standards, design, and risk assessmentsQualificationsB.S. in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or similar discipline4+ years of professional, relevant work experience2+ years in electronics developmentExperience with testing electronic, automotive, aerospace, or vehicle componentsExperience with Design tools PCBA: Altium preferred3D Modeling: 3DExperience or Catia preferredExperience in using lab equipment (Environmental Chambers, Oscilloscopes, E-loads, VNA, TDR, and spectrum analyzer)Experience with Ubuntu and PythonBonus QualificationsM.S. or Ph.D. in Engineering or similar disciplineTeam/club competitions (e.g. SAE, FIRST, DARPA)Systems and networking foundational knowledge (systems architecture, memory hierarchy, storage subsystems, LANs, routing)Experience with: Ethernet switching chipsets (i.e. Broadcom, Marvell), PCIe, CAN ComplianceSimulation Tools (Ansys preferred)Common bus protocols (SPI, I2C, MDIO)Process/Tool Familiarity with:Data Acquisition systems (UEI and/or Keysight preferred)Requirement-Test Case management tools (Polarion preferred)Atlassian software products (Jira/Confluence)

Benefits

Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)

Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)

Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)

Training & Development

Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)

Free breakfast and lunch