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Hardware Engineering Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Join Apple's Battery Engineering team as a Hardware Manager for Battery Management Systems (BMS) where you will lead and develop a sizable team of BMS hardware engineering managers and their ...

Join Apple's Battery Engineering team as a Hardware Manager for Battery Management Systems (BMS) where you will lead and develop a sizable team of BMS hardware engineering managers and their ...

Join Apple's Battery Engineering team as a Hardware Manager for Battery Management Systems (BMS) where you will lead and develop a sizable team of BMS hardware engineering managers and their ...

Orchestrate complex, multi-functional programs by aligning hardware and software engineering, product management, operations and other multi-functional teams to ensure cohesive delivery.

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Hardware Engineering information

See California salary details

$50.3K

$144.3K

$193.9K

How much do hardware engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for hardware engineering 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 are some typical challenges hardware engineers face when collaborating with cross-functional teams?

Hardware engineers often work closely with software developers, product managers, and manufacturing teams to bring products from concept to reality. A common challenge is ensuring that design specifications align across disciplines, which may require frequent adjustments and open communication. Misalignment can lead to delays or design revisions, so it's essential for hardware engineers to be proactive in meetings and documentation. Effective collaboration involves balancing technical constraints with project timelines and user requirements.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior hardware engineers, especially those with extensive experience, specialized skills in areas like FPGA design or ASIC development, and working in high-demand industries such as semiconductor or aerospace, can earn $300,000 or more annually. Achieving this level often requires advanced degrees, certifications, and leadership responsibilities within the engineering team.

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, you need a solid background in electrical engineering, circuit design, and hardware testing, often supported by a relevant bachelor's degree. Familiarity with CAD software, PCB design tools (such as Altium Designer or OrCAD), and industry certifications like Certified Hardware Engineer (CHE) are typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective teamwork set top candidates apart in this field. These skills ensure the development of reliable, innovative hardware solutions that meet project specifications and industry standards.

What engineering jobs pay $500,000?

In hardware engineering, senior roles such as principal engineer, engineering director, or VP of engineering can reach or exceed $500,000 annually, especially in high-tech industries or large companies. These positions typically require extensive experience, advanced technical skills, and often involve leadership responsibilities and stock options or bonuses.

What is hardware engineering?

Hardware engineering is a field of engineering that focuses on designing, developing, testing, and maintaining physical components of computers and electronic systems. This includes creating circuit boards, processors, memory devices, and other related hardware. Hardware engineers work closely with software engineers to ensure that hardware and software function together efficiently. They play a crucial role in advancing technology by developing faster, smaller, and more reliable electronic devices.

What engineers make $200,000 a year?

In hardware engineering, senior roles such as Lead Hardware Engineer or Hardware Design Manager can earn $200,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills in circuit design, and certifications. High salaries are often found in industries like semiconductor, aerospace, and technology companies, typically requiring specialized knowledge and leadership responsibilities.

What is the difference between Hardware Engineering vs Electrical Engineering?

AspectHardware EngineeringElectrical Engineering
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Electrical, Electronics, or Computer EngineeringBachelor's in Electrical, Electronics, or Electrical Engineering
Work EnvironmentDesigning and testing physical hardware components, working in labs or manufacturing settingsDesigning electrical systems, power distribution, and circuitry, often in labs or field sites
Industry UsageConsumer electronics, computer hardware, embedded systemsPower systems, telecommunications, control systems
Common Search/ComparisonHardware Engineering vs Electrical Engineering

Hardware Engineering focuses on designing and developing physical electronic components and systems, while Electrical Engineering covers a broader range of electrical systems, power, and circuitry. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and often overlap in industry applications, but hardware engineers are more specialized in physical hardware design.

What does a Hardware Engineer do?

A Hardware Engineer designs, develops, tests, and supervises the manufacturing of electronic hardware components such as circuit boards, processors, and memory devices. They often use tools like CAD software and need knowledge of electrical engineering principles, often working in labs or manufacturing environments. Certification in relevant areas and strong problem-solving skills are important for this role.
What are the most commonly searched types of Hardware Engineering jobs in California? The most popular types of Hardware Engineering jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Hardware Engineering jobs? Cities in California with the most Hardware Engineering job openings:

Full-time

Posted 12 days ago


Job description

Hardware Engineering Director - OpticsThis role has been designed as ''Onsite' with an expectation that you will primarily work from an HPE office.

Who We Are:

Hewlett Packard Enterprise is the global edge-to-cloud company advancing the way people live and work. We help companies connect, protect, analyze, and act on their data and applications wherever they live, from edge to cloud, so they can turn insights into outcomes at the speed required to thrive in today's complex world.Our culture thrives onfinding new and better ways to accelerate what's next.We know varied backgrounds are valued and succeed here. We have the flexibility to manage our work and personal needs.We make bold moves, together, and are a force for good. If you are looking to stretch and grow your career our culture will embrace you.Open up opportunities with HPE.

Job Description:

Leads a high performance technical engineering team in the specification and qualification of HPE-branded interconnect devices for use across HPE Networking platforms. Responsible for operational success, strategic alignment and integration of activities with other internal engineering and supply chain organizational functions. Responsible for optical/electrical interconnect hardware engineering. Acts as a key advisor to executive and product line management in influencing the strategic direction of the HPE Networking business. Reports to VP Hardware Engineering in HPE Networking.

Responsibilities:

  • Use industry expertise to develop strategy and technology roadmaps for optical/electrical interconnect device design and development engineering, for use across HPE Networking platforms.
  • Lead technical engagement with industry optics suppliers in interconnect technology/product roadmaps strategies and alignment.
  • Articulate HPE's interconnect device strategic vision and communicate technology roadmaps to executive staff, Product Line Managers, industry partners and customers.
  • Provide technical assessments of optics supplier technologies and product readiness to HPE supply chain organization to support supplier selection for product qualification.
  • Maintain awareness of relevant industry standards developments, e.g. IEEE 802.3 projects, OIF. Provide technical guidance to HPE standards representatives on topics of strategic importance.
  • Lead development and delivery of HPE Procurement Specifications (P-Specs) of optical/electrical interconnect devices for external supplier product development and internal engineering system hardware/software integration.
  • Lead qualification of optics interconnect devices through Optical Design Verification Testing (ODVT) and review/approval of supplier quality/reliability/regulatory compliance reports.
  • Support HPE supply chain organization in documentation review and approval for interconnect device NPI production releases.

.

Education and Experience Required:

  • Bachelor, Master or Ph.D. degree in Optoelectronics, Electrical Engineering or related field.
  • 15+ years' industry experience, with at least 5+ years in a managerial role.

Knowledge and Skills:

  • Industry expert in optical/electronic interconnect solutions with a broad, up-to-date view of global market use-cases and trends.
  • Broad and deep knowledge of optical/electrical interconnect device technologies, digital signal processing, component integration and packaging innovations.
  • Demonstrated experience (10+ years) in overall architecture of optical/electronic hardware for interconnect products and solutions.
  • Up-to-date global view of optics/electrical interconnect component and sub-component vendor landscape.
  • History of innovation with multiple patents in the field of optoelectronics hardware design.
  • Demonstrated experience (5+ years) in managing 10+ technical member team and optics test laboratory.
  • Outstanding analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to effectively communicate product architectures, design proposals and negotiate options at the most senior organizational levels.

    Impact/Scope:

    • Collaborates across functions to deliver multidisciplinary engineering solutions.
    • Typically interacts with high-level Individual Contributors, Managers, Directors, and VPs and SVPs for internal and external suppliers, partners, and customers.
    • Drives large and complex cross-organizational business initiatives.

    Complexity:

    • Leads highly-complex multidisciplinary engineering development, support, and improvement activities and organizations.
    • Anticipates operational needs and impact on the business and function or department.

    What We Can Offer You:

    Health & Wellbeing

    We strive to provide our team members and their loved ones with a comprehensive suite of benefits that supports their physical, financial and emotional wellbeing.

    Personal & Professional Development

    We also invest in your career because the better you are, the better we all are. We have specific programs catered to helping you reach any career goals you have - whether you want to become a knowledge expert in your field or apply your skills to another division.

    Unconditional Inclusion

    We are unconditionally inclusive in the way we work and celebrate individual uniqueness. We know varied backgrounds are valued and succeed here. We have the flexibility to manage our work and personal needs. We make bold moves, together, and are a force for good.

    Let's Stay Connected:

    Follow @HPECareers on Instagram to see the latest on people, culture and tech at HPE.

    #unitedstates#executive, #networking

    Job:

    Engineering

    Job Level:

    Director"The expected salary/wage range for this position is provided below. Actual offer may vary from this range based upon geographic location, work experience, education/training, and/or skill level.
    - United States of America: Annual Salary USD 183,000 - 389,500 in California
    The listed salary range reflects base salary. Variable incentives may also be offered."

    Information about employee benefits offered in the US can be found at https://myhperewards.com/main/new-hire-enrollment.html

    Information about employee benefits offered in Canada can be found at https://myhperewards.com/pdf/hpe-recruit-brochure-can.pdf

    Des informations sur les avantages sociaux offerts sont disponibles sur https://myhperewards.com/pdf/hpe-recruit-brochure-can-fr.pdf

    HPE is an Equal Employment Opportunity/ Veterans/Disabled/LGBT employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, or any other protected category, and all decisions we make are made on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need. Our goal is to be one global team that is representative of our customers, in an inclusive environment where we can continue to innovate and grow together. Please click here: Equal Employment Opportunity.

    Hewlett Packard Enterprise is EEO Protected Veteran/ Individual with Disabilities.

    HPE will comply with all applicable laws related to employer use of arrest and conviction records, including laws requiring employers to consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories.

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    All legitimate job opportunities will come through official company channels, and candidates are responsible for verifying the credentials of any third party claiming to represent the company. Any reliance on fraudulent communication is at the individual's own risk, and HPE disclaims legal liability for any resulting damages. If you suspect recruitment fraud, do not share personal information or make any payments and report the incident to your local authorities immediately.