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Hardware Startup Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Starpath

Lead Engineer - Space Solar Hardware

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$160K - $200K/yr

Startup / small-team environment experience * Experience preparing hardware for environmental qualification (TVAC/vibe/radiation planning) Compensation & Benefits * Location: Los Angeles (Hawthorne ...

GITAI

Electrical Engineer

Los Angeles, CA

GITAI is an early-stage hardware startup. Requirements will change, interfaces will move, and the clean answer on paper will often fail in integration. This role is for someone who can make practical ...

Terranova

VP of Ops

Berkeley, CA · On-site

$140 - $200/hr

Prior experience as a COO, CPO, CTO, VP Ops, or GM experience at a Series B or later hardware startup. * Experience deploying products that are hard to sell and hard to build. * Founder or founder ...

Orion Talent

Test Technician

Torrance, CA · On-site

$40/hr

Hardware startup or prototyping environment. * Manufacturing, test engineering, or electromechanical field operations. Physical Requirements & Benefits: * Must be comfortable working from a boat on ...

Droyd Robotics

Office Manager

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$75K - $100K/yr

Experience supporting in-person teams in hardware, startup, or technical environments * Experience with travel coordination, facilities, or vendor management About Droyd Droyd builds autonomous ...

Droyd Robotics

Office Manager

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$75K - $100K/yr

Experience supporting in-person teams in hardware, startup, or technical environments * Experience with travel coordination, facilities, or vendor management About Droyd Droyd builds autonomous ...

Brahma Consulting Group

Head of Hardware

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$145K - $191K/yr

We are seeking an experienced Head of Hardware to lead our hardware engineering efforts at an innovative AI startup revolutionizing chip design through machine learning. This pivotal leadership role ...

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How much do hardware startup jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for hardware startup in California is $24.27, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.31 and $27.50 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a hardware startup?

A hardware startup is a company focused on designing, developing, and bringing to market physical products or devices that typically incorporate electronics, mechanics, or related technologies. These startups often work on innovative consumer gadgets, industrial equipment, or connected devices (IoT). The process usually involves prototyping, manufacturing, and scaling production, which can present unique challenges compared to purely software-based startups. Hardware startups require expertise in product design, engineering, supply chain management, and may need significant capital for manufacturing and distribution.

What are some common challenges faced by team members working at a hardware startup, and how can they be addressed?

Team members at hardware startups often encounter challenges such as tight development timelines, limited resources, and the need to iterate quickly on physical prototypes. Collaboration between engineers, designers, and supply chain specialists is essential to ensure that the product moves efficiently from concept to production. Open communication, flexibility, and a willingness to take on varied responsibilities are key to overcoming these challenges and driving the company’s success.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a hardware startup founder?

To thrive as a Hardware Startup Founder, you need a solid background in engineering, product development, and business strategy, often supported by relevant degrees or entrepreneurial experience. Familiarity with CAD software, rapid prototyping tools, supply chain management systems, and fundraising platforms is typically essential. Leadership, resilience, and effective communication are standout soft skills for successfully guiding teams and building partnerships. These competencies are crucial for navigating technical challenges, attracting investment, and bringing innovative hardware products to market.

What is the difference between Hardware Startup vs Hardware Engineer?

AspectHardware Startup

AspectHardware Startup

Hardware Startup professionals focus on developing new hardware products from concept to prototype, often working in small teams or startups with a flexible environment. Hardware Engineers typically work within established companies, focusing on designing, testing, and maintaining hardware components. Both roles require technical skills in electronics and engineering, but Hardware Startups emphasize innovation and product development, while Hardware Engineers prioritize reliability and manufacturing processes.

What are popular job titles related to Hardware Startup jobs in California? For Hardware Startup jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Hardware Startup jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Hardware Startup jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Hardware Startup jobs? Cities in California with the most Hardware Startup job openings:
Hardware Startup jobs near you
Infographic showing various Hardware Startup job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $50,484 per year, or $24.3 per hour.

Lead Engineer - Space Solar Hardware

Starpath

Hawthorne, CA • On-site

$160K - $200K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Re-posted 26 days ago

Job description

Lead Engineer - Space Solar Hardware
Position Details
Location: Los Angeles (Hawthorne), CA
Employment Type: Full-time
Department: Starlight Solar
About Starpath
Starpath develops and manufactures the technologies that will enable humans to live on the Moon and Mars. Today, we are building robotic systems that locally produce the essential commodities a lunar civilization will require at extreme scale: water, power, and oxygen. Our ultimate goal is to build and operate a self-sustaining city on Mars.
The Role
The Starlight team is focused on dramatically improving space solar power to support Starpath's core mission and the greater space economy. Starlight manufactures the lowest cost and highest performance space solar ever, which will power the majority of new satellites built on Earth and all of Starpath's equipment on the Moon and Mars.
Responsibilities
  • Serve as design authority for Starlight Solar products
  • Build the solar engineering org to meet the needs of a rapidly expanding business unit
  • Translate customer needs/product strategy into executable engineering plans
  • Own all technical aspects of solar products - development, reliability, manufacturing, etc.
  • Work cross-functionally with customer-facing business units to ensure excellence in all technical communications
  • Establish a culture of excellence throughout the engineering org from the top down
  • Act as the penultimate approver of all major development, qualification, and manufacturing activities.

Required Qualifications
  • B.S. or higher in Mechanical, Aerospace, or related engineering field
  • 10+ years building high-reliability hardware (space preferred)
  • Strong mechanical fundamentals (structures, packaging, materials interactions)
  • Comfortable operating across relevant engineering disciplines
  • Experience with space environmental testing standards (NASA GEVS, ECSS, or similar)
  • Clear technical communication and strong engineering judgment

Preferred Qualifications
  • Direct experience with space solar arrays, deployables, power systems packaging, or similar hardware
  • Startup / small-team environment experience
  • Experience preparing hardware for environmental qualification (TVAC/vibe/radiation planning)
Compensation & Benefits
  • Location: Los Angeles (Hawthorne), CA
  • Salary base rate is $160-$200k/yr, plus equity package; compensation scales with candidate experience. Option for performance based incentives.
  • PTO & health/dental/vision coverage included

EAR REQUIREMENTS:
  • To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Equal Opportunity
Starpath is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

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