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Senior Hardware Design Engineer Jobs in California

Unigen

Senior Hardware Design Engineer

Newark, CA · On-site

$130K - $150K/yr

Senior Hardware Design Engineer Reports To: Sr. Director, Hardware & Systems Engineering Job Function: R & D Engineering Job Overview: The Senior Hardware Design Engineer architectures, designs, and ...

Astreya

Senior Hardware Design Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$107K - $134K/yr

What this job entails We are seeking a Senior Hardware Design Engineer to drive end-to-end system development for one of our client's next-generation portable electronic systems. In this role, you'll ...

Astreya

Senior Hardware Design Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$107K - $134K/yr

What this job entails We are seeking a Senior Hardware Design Engineer to drive end-to-end system development for one of our client's next-generation portable electronic systems. In this role, you'll ...

Actalent

Senior Hardware Design Engineer

Torrance, CA · Hybrid

Hardware Design Engineer This role focuses on end-to-end ownership of complex digital hardware designs, from circuit and schematic development through PCB layout review and high-speed signal ...

Everpure

Senior Hardware Design Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$175K - $263K/yr

THE ROLE We are seeking a highly motivated Hardware Design Engineer for Pure's Datastore team. The Pure Engineering Team builds the industry's most innovative, high-performance, energy-efficient and ...

Cisco

Sr Hardware Design Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$154K - $225K/yr

... Hardware Engineers by combining the resources offered by a sizable multi-geography Hardware ... Design Networking Switches, review schematics/layout review, bring-up, troubleshooting, design ...

Cisco

Sr Hardware Design Engineer

San Francisco, CA

$154K - $225K/yr

... Hardware Engineers by combining the resources offered by a sizable multi-geography Hardware ... Design Networking Switches, review schematics/layout review, bring-up, troubleshooting, design ...

Cisco

Sr Hardware Design Engineer

San Jose, CA

$154K - $225K/yr

... Hardware Engineers by combining the resources offered by a sizable multi-geography Hardware ... Design Networking Switches, review schematics/layout review, bring-up, troubleshooting, design ...

TP-Link Systems Inc.

Senior Hardware Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$118K - $158K/yr

TP-Link Systems Inc. is seeking experienced board-level Senior Hardware Design Engineers to join our home networking engineering team. These roles will serve as senior hardware technical owners for ...

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Senior Hardware Design Engineer information

See California salary details

$91.3K

$137.2K

$183.1K

How much do senior hardware design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior hardware design engineer in California is $137,200.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $118,900.00 and $151,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Senior Hardware Design Engineer vs Hardware Design Engineer?

AspectSenior Hardware Design EngineerHardware Design Engineer
QualificationsBachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering or related field; 5+ years experienceBachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field; 1-3 years experience
ResponsibilitiesLeading complex hardware projects, mentoring junior engineers, system architectureDesigning and testing hardware components, supporting project development
Work EnvironmentDesign teams, R&D departments, collaborative projectsDesign labs, development teams, manufacturing support

The main difference is experience level and responsibility. Senior Hardware Design Engineers lead projects and mentor others, while Hardware Design Engineers focus on designing hardware components. Both roles require similar technical skills but differ in scope and leadership expectations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior hardware design engineer?

To thrive as a Senior Hardware Design Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering, circuit design, and experience with industry standards, usually supported by a relevant degree and several years of design experience. Proficiency with schematic capture tools (e.g., Altium Designer, Cadence, or OrCAD), PCB layout software, and simulation systems is essential, and certifications like Professional Engineer (PE) can be advantageous. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective cross-functional communication are valuable soft skills in this role. These skills and qualifications are crucial to ensure reliable product development, successful project execution, and seamless collaboration with multidisciplinary teams.

What is a senior hardware design engineer?

Senior Hardware Design Engineers are experienced professionals who design, develop, and test electronic hardware components and systems. They typically lead hardware development projects, create detailed schematics and layouts, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure the successful integration of hardware with software. In addition to technical design work, they often mentor junior engineers, oversee prototyping, and troubleshoot complex hardware issues. Their expertise is vital for developing advanced electronics found in products such as computers, mobile devices, automotive systems, and industrial equipment.

How do senior hardware design engineers typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during a project?

Senior Hardware Design Engineers regularly work alongside software engineers, product managers, and manufacturing teams to ensure the seamless integration of hardware with other systems. This often involves participating in design reviews, troubleshooting interdisciplinary issues, and aligning hardware specifications with overall project goals. Effective communication and documentation are crucial, as is the ability to provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers within the team.
What are the most commonly searched types of Hardware Design Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of Hardware Design Engineer jobs in California are:
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Senior Hardware Design Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Hardware Design Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 85% Full Time, 8% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $137,200 per year, or $66 per hour.

Senior Hardware Design Engineer

Fairchild Imaging, Inc.

San Jose, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 29 days ago

Job description

Fairchild Imaging, headquartered in San Jose, California is a specialty image sensor design and manufacturing company with deep experience in developing leading edge performance CMOS image sensors. Our portfolio of image sensors can be found in many high-performance imaging applications like space exploration, medical x-ray, sciences, quantum computing, machine vision, low light, and 360 situational awareness.
Senior Hardware Design Engineer - Imaging Systems and High-Speed Electronics
We are seeking an experienced Senior Hardware Design Engineer to lead the design and development of advanced PCB-based imaging platforms for next-generation CMOS image sensors, board-level cameras, and X-ray camera systems. This role requires deep expertise in high-speed digital hardware design, signal integrity, sensor integration, and system-level optimization for imaging performance and interface interoperability.
In addition to hands-on technical leadership, this role may include responsibility for mentoring engineers, driving technical direction across projects, and contributing to team growth and engineering excellence.
Key Responsibilities
Technical Leadership and Team Development
  • Provide technical leadership across hardware development programs for imaging and sensor-based products.
  • Mentor and guide junior and mid-level hardware engineers in schematic design, PCB layout, debug methodologies, and engineering best practices.
  • Lead hardware design reviews, architecture discussions, and cross-functional technical decision-making.
  • Establish and promote engineering standards for high-speed PCB design, signal integrity, documentation, and validation.
  • Support project planning, task prioritization, resource estimation, and execution tracking for hardware development activities.
  • May directly manage a small team of hardware engineers, including:
  • goal setting and performance feedback,
  • career development and coaching,
  • hiring and onboarding support.

Board-Level Camera and CMOS Image Sensor Platforms
  • Architect, design, and validate high-performance PCBs for board-level camera systems supporting state-of-the-art CMOS image sensors.
  • Develop hardware platforms for:
  • image sensor bring-up and debugging,
  • electrical and optical characterization,
  • internal evaluation platforms,
  • customer demonstration systems.
  • Design interfaces and interconnects for high-speed sensor communication, including:
  • SLVS/SLVS-EC
  • MIPI CSI-2 / D-PHY / C-PHY
  • LVDS and other high-speed serial interfaces.
  • Collaborate with sensor, firmware, software, and applications teams to ensure successful sensor integration and system functionality.
  • Optimize board architecture, power delivery, grounding, clocking, and layout to maximize sensor performance and minimize electrical noise.
  • Evaluate and mitigate hardware design impacts on end-user image quality, including:
  • noise floor,
  • fixed pattern noise,
  • EMI/EMC coupling,
  • timing integrity,
  • power integrity artifacts.

X-ray Camera Electronics
  • Design and develop hardware platforms for X-ray camera systems integrating image sensors, detector electronics, and high-speed data interfaces.
  • Architect PCB solutions for sensor interface, power management, control electronics, and data acquisition subsystems.
  • Lead hardware development focused on robust USB-C interoperability, including:
  • USB-C orientation support,
  • enumeration and configuration reliability,
  • sustained high-bandwidth streaming performance,
  • cable and host interoperability robustness.
  • Analyze and debug signal integrity challenges across USB-C and other high-speed interfaces in demanding imaging applications.

Signal Integrity and Hardware Excellence
  • Serve as subject matter expert in PCB design for high-speed/high-density electronics.
  • Perform and guide best practices for:
  • signal integrity analysis,
  • impedance control,
  • differential pair routing,
  • return path management,
  • power integrity optimization.
  • Drive design reviews, schematic reviews, layout reviews, and hardware validation plans.
  • Support prototype bring-up, debug, failure analysis, and design iteration.

Required Qualifications
  • BS/MS in Electrical Engineering or related field.
  • 8+ years of hardware design experience, including complex multilayer PCB design.
  • Proven expertise designing high-speed digital systems and high-density PCBs.
  • Demonstrated technical leadership, mentoring, or team lead experience.
  • Strong hands-on experience with CMOS image sensor integration and board-level camera development.
  • Deep working knowledge of:
  • SLVS / SLVS-EC,
  • MIPI CSI-2,
  • USB-C,
  • LVDS and related high-speed interfaces.
  • Strong understanding of:
  • signal integrity,
  • power integrity,
  • EMI/EMC considerations,
  • high-speed layout constraints.
  • Experience with schematic capture and PCB layout tools such as Altium Designer, Cadence Allegro, or equivalent.
  • Hands-on lab debugging skills using oscilloscopes, protocol analyzers, logic analyzers, and related instrumentation.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Prior direct people management experience.
  • Experience with X-ray imaging systems or medical/industrial imaging electronics.
  • Familiarity with detector electronics, analog front ends, and low-noise sensor systems.
  • Experience supporting customer evaluation platforms and demo systems.
  • Knowledge of image quality characterization and hardware contributions to imaging artifacts.

Desired Attributes
  • Strong system-level thinking across hardware, firmware, optics, and software boundaries.
  • Ability to independently drive complex hardware projects from concept through validation.
  • Strong technical communication and stakeholder management skills.
  • Ability to balance hands-on engineering depth with technical leadership and team development.

Why Join Us
  • Work on cutting-edge imaging technology with real-world impact.
  • High level of technical ownership and influence on system architecture.
  • Collaborative, engineering-driven culture.
  • Competitive compensation and benefits package.

Fairchild Imaging provides our employees with a range in benefits offerings that includes:
  • 9/80 Schedule - You get every other Friday off!
  • Medical, Dental and Vision coverage with multiple plan offerings
  • Health Savings Account with an employer contribution annually
  • 401(k) retirement plans with Employer matching
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Generous Paid Time Off policy

The compensation salary range for this role is $180,000 to $200,000. Actual compensation packages are based on several factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to skill set, depth of experience, education, certifications, and knowledge.
Fairchild Imaging is an equal opportunity employer. We foster a culture where everyone has an opportunity to succeed regardless of their race, color, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, social or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, parental status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, union membership, and political affiliation, or any other legally protected group.

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