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Phd Electrical Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

An MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering or Physics, with at least 3+ years of relevant industry experience. * Technical Expertise: A deep understanding of electrical engineering design, particularly ...

Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering or related field and 0-8 YOE, Master's Degree and 1+ YOE, PhD Degree and 1+ YOE * Fluency with an electrical CAD software package, Altium (Protel) is a ...

Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering or related field and 0-8 YOE, Master's Degree and 1+ YOE, PhD Degree and 1+ YOE * Fluency with an electrical CAD software package, Altium (Protel) is a ...

Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering or related field and 0-8 YOE, Master's Degree and 1+ YOE, PhD Degree and 1+ YOE * Fluency with an electrical CAD software package, Altium (Protel) is a ...

... MS/PhD Electrical Engineering Preferred Qualifications Familiar with design and schematic tools. Familiarity with board and system electronic test strategies: In-Circuit Testing, board functional ...

An MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering or Physics, with at least 3+ years of relevant industry experience. * Technical Expertise: A deep understanding of electrical engineering design, particularly ...

Principal Electrical Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$125K - $195K/yr

MS or PhD in Power System Engineering or Electrical Engineering. An MS degree in Computer Science is a plus. Salary range: $125,000 - 195,000 Annual This pay range represents the minimum and maximum ...

MS or PhD in Power System Engineering or Electrical Engineering. An MS degree in Computer Science is a plus. Salary range: $125,000 - 195,000 Annual This pay range represents the minimum and maximum ...

New

Principal Electrical Engineer

Irvine, CA · Hybrid

$125K - $195K/yr

MS or PhD in Power System Engineering or Electrical Engineering. An MS degree in Computer Science is a plus. Salary range: $125,000 - 195,000 Annual This pay range represents the minimum and maximum ...

MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering with emphasis in Power Electronics * Demonstrated ongoing AI skill development (e.g., prompt/context engineering, agent orchestration) and staying current with ...

... PHD in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering • Experience with high speed signaling over DP, MIPI, HDMI, and USB SS • Experience with IMUs/sensor physical sensor systems with an ...

MS or PHD in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering * Experience with high speed signaling over DP, MIPI, HDMI, and USB SS * Experience with IMUs/sensor physical sensor systems with an ...

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Phd Electrical Engineer information

See California salary details

$49.8K

$109.6K

$165.8K

How much do phd electrical engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for phd electrical engineer in California is $109,636.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $81,900.00 and $130,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a PhD electrical engineer do?

A PhD Electrical Engineer conducts advanced research, designs, and develops electrical systems or components, often pushing the boundaries of technology. They may work in academia, leading research projects and teaching, or in industry, developing innovative solutions for complex engineering problems. Their expertise is critical in areas like communications, power systems, electronics, and signal processing. PhD-level engineers also contribute to scientific publications and may secure patents for new inventions.

What is the difference between Phd Electrical Engineer vs Electrical Engineer?

AspectPhd Electrical EngineerElectrical Engineer
Required CredentialsPhD in Electrical Engineering or related fieldBachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, academia, R&D departmentsDesign, development, and testing in industry or construction
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, research institutions, high-tech companiesManufacturers, utility companies, consulting firms

The main difference between a Phd Electrical Engineer and an Electrical Engineer lies in their education level and typical work environment. A Phd Electrical Engineer usually holds a doctoral degree and focuses on research, development, and advanced problem-solving, often in academia or R&D. In contrast, an Electrical Engineer typically has a bachelor's or master's degree and works on practical design, implementation, and maintenance in industry settings.

What are some common challenges faced by PhD electrical engineers when transitioning from academia to industry roles?

PhD Electrical Engineers often encounter challenges such as adapting to faster-paced project timelines, aligning research expertise with immediate business needs, and working within multidisciplinary teams. Unlike academic environments that may prioritize theoretical advances, industry roles usually focus on practical applications, product development, and measurable outcomes. Building strong communication skills and learning to collaborate with professionals from non-engineering backgrounds can help ease this transition and foster career growth.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a PhD electrical engineer?

To thrive as a PhD Electrical Engineer, you need advanced expertise in electrical engineering principles, research methodologies, and a doctoral degree in the field. Proficiency with simulation software (such as MATLAB or SPICE), programming languages, and laboratory equipment is commonly required, along with experience in publishing academic research. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication skills help you excel in both collaborative and independent research environments. These abilities are crucial for driving innovation, advancing technology, and contributing valuable insights in both academic and industry settings.
What are popular job titles related to Phd Electrical Engineer jobs in California? For Phd Electrical Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Phd Electrical Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Phd Electrical Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Phd Electrical Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Phd Electrical Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Phd Electrical Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 68% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 27% Contract. Highlights an 95% In-person, and 5% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $109,636 per year, or $52.7 per hour.

Electrical Engineer, Sensors

Waymo

Mountain View, CA • Hybrid

Full-time

Re-posted 16 days ago


Job description

Hardware Engineering is an innovative and collaborative group of electrical, mechanical, reliability, software and vehicle engineers. We design, build, and perfect the products which are the eyes and ears of Waymo's autonomous driving technology, and integrate those products into vehicle platforms. We're seeking curious and talented teammates to keep us moving in the right direction.

We are seeking an experienced Sensor Electrical Engineer to join our Hardware/Sensor team. In this role, you will play a critical part in the full product life cycle-from initial design and development through to mass production-of our advanced sensor technologies. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional partners, including software, mechanical, and manufacturing teams, to deliver innovative and robust engineering solutions.

This role follows a hybrid work schedule and reports to the Sensors Hardware Lead. 

You will:

  • End-to-End Product Development: Evaluate, design, build, and validate next-generation sensor products, managing projects from concept through to mass production.
  • Technical Problem Solving: Develop creative engineering solutions, performing hands-on characterization, debugging, and system validation.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work in close partnership with software, mechanical, and manufacturing engineering teams to ensure seamless integration and high-quality deliverables.

You have:

  • Education & Experience: An MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering or Physics, with at least 3+ years of relevant industry experience.
  • Technical Expertise: A deep understanding of electrical engineering design, particularly in power supplies and mixed-signal systems.
  • Tools & Proficiency: Strong experience with simulation, EE CAD tools, and schematic capture.
  • Technical Skills: Familiarity with low-level embedded software and Python.
  • Adaptability: Proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic, and evolving environment.

We prefer:

  • 7+ years of experience in electrical engineering.
  • A passion for hands-on work, spanning both hardware and software domains.
  • Experience or interest in developing internal tools and workflows to enhance team productivity.
  • Willingness to travel periodically to collaborate directly with our manufacturing partners.

Travel requirements:

  • Travel is required to work with our manufacturing partners.