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Senior Hardware Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Sr. Hardware Engineer

Lake Forest, CA · On-site

$97 - $152/hr

# Sr. Hardware Engineer**Job Summary**Shape the future of smart home technology as a Senior Hardware Systems Engineer on our product team. You'll help create next-generation connected security ...

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Senior Hardware Engineer

Irvine, CA

$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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

Sr. Hardware Engineer

Lake Forest, CA · Hybrid

$114K - $152K/yr

Job Summary Shape the future of smart home technology as a Senior Hardware Systems Engineer on our product team. You'll help create next-generation connected security solutions that will be installed ...

Sr. Hardware Engineer

Lake Forest, CA · On-site

$114K - $152K/yr

Job Summary Shape the future of smart home technology as a Senior Hardware Systems Engineer on our product team. You'll help create next-generation connected security solutions that will be installed ...

Senior Hardware Engineer, OPD Hardware

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$129K - $173K/yr

As a Senior Hardware Engineer you will be responsible for the electrical design of consumer electronic products. We are looking for candidates who thrive in a fast paced start-up like environment. In ...

As a Senior Hardware Engineer you will be responsible for the electrical design of consumer electronic products. We are looking for candidates who thrive in a fast paced start-up like environment. In ...

Senior Hardware Engineer

Carlsbad, CA · On-site

$155K - $246K/yr

About The Role We are partnering with an innovative aerospace and communications technology organization seeking a Senior Hardware Engineer to support the sustainment, troubleshooting, and technical ...

Senior Hardware Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$129K - $173K/yr

We are looking for a Senior Hardware Engineer who is innovative and has a passion for hardware and firmware design of cutting edge security devices. In this role, you will be part of the team that ...

Senior Hardware Engineer, OPD Hardware

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$129K - $173K/yr

As a Senior Hardware Engineer you will be responsible for the electrical design of consumer electronic products. We are looking for candidates who thrive in a fast paced start-up like environment. In ...

Senior Hardware Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$129K - $173K/yr

We are looking for a Senior Hardware Engineer who is innovative and has a passion for hardware and firmware design of cutting edge security devices. In this role, you will be part of the team that ...

Senior Hardware Engineer

Santa Maria, CA · On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

Hardware Engr Schedule: Full-Time Shift: Day Job Travel: Yes - 25% of the time Minimum Clearance Required: Secret Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain: None Potential for Remote Work: ORA_ON_SITE ...

Senior Hardware Engineer

Saratoga, CA · On-site

$210K - $265K/yr

Visit our website eridu.ai to learn mo Position Overview As a Hardware Engineer in our Systems Engineering group, you will be responsible for delivering systems and sub-assemblies, taking them from ...

Senior Hardware Engineer

Santa Maria, CA · Hybrid

$120K - $160K/yr

Hardware Engr Schedule: Full-Time Shift: Day Job Travel: Yes - 25% of the time Minimum Clearance Required: Secret Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain: None Potential for Remote Work: ORA_ON_SITE ...

Sr Engineer (Hardware)

Cupertino, CA

$136K - $182K/yr

Senior Hardware/Electrical Engineer Cupertino, CA Position Summary We are seeking an experienced Senior Hardware Engineer (Electrical Engineer) to lead all electrical engineering activities for our ...

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Showing results 1-20

Senior Hardware Engineer information

See California salary details

$82.9K

$130.2K

$189K

How much do senior hardware engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior hardware engineer in California is $130,180.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $109,100.00 and $145,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a senior hardware engineer typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during a product development cycle?

As a Senior Hardware Engineer, you'll frequently collaborate with software engineers, mechanical designers, project managers, and manufacturing teams throughout the product development process. This collaboration involves regular design reviews, troubleshooting sessions, and integration testing to ensure all components work together seamlessly. Clear communication and problem-solving skills are essential, as you'll often act as a technical liaison between departments to address challenges and meet project milestones. Working closely with diverse teams not only enhances the final product but also provides opportunities for professional growth and learning from other disciplines.

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

AspectSenior Hardware EngineerHardware Design Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering, certifications like Cisco or IPCBachelor's or Master's in Electrical/Electronic Engineering, relevant certifications
Work EnvironmentDesign labs, manufacturing facilities, R&D teamsDesign studios, prototyping labs, development teams
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, hardware manufacturers, R&D firmsConsumer electronics, embedded systems, hardware startups
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for seniority, responsibilities, and experience levelCompared for design focus, technical skills, and project involvement

The main difference is that a Senior Hardware Engineer oversees complex projects, manages teams, and ensures hardware integration, while a Hardware Design Engineer primarily focuses on designing and developing hardware components. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and certifications but differ in scope and responsibilities within the hardware development process.

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

To thrive as a Senior Hardware Engineer, you need strong expertise in electronic circuit design, hardware architecture, and system integration, typically supported by a degree in electrical or computer engineering. Proficiency with CAD tools like Altium Designer or Cadence, as well as experience with simulation, testing equipment, and relevant certifications such as IPC or FCC, is highly valued. Exceptional problem-solving, teamwork, and project management skills help distinguish top performers in this role. These skills ensure reliable hardware development, effective cross-functional collaboration, and the successful delivery of complex engineering projects.

What is a senior hardware engineer?

Senior Hardware Engineers are experienced professionals who design, develop, and test computer hardware components such as processors, circuit boards, memory devices, and networks. They lead hardware development projects, oversee junior engineers, and collaborate with software teams to ensure seamless integration. Their responsibilities often include evaluating new technologies, troubleshooting complex issues, and ensuring products meet quality and performance standards. Senior Hardware Engineers typically have several years of experience and a strong background in electrical or computer engineering.

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 cities in California are hiring for Senior Hardware Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Senior Hardware Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Senior Hardware Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $130,180 per year, or $62.6 per hour.

Sr. Hardware Engineer

Traka (Assa Abloy)

Lake Forest, CA • On-site

$97 - $152/hr

Other

Posted 2 days ago

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Job description

# Sr. Hardware Engineer**Job Summary**Shape the future of smart home technology as a Senior Hardware Systems Engineer on our product team. You’ll help create next-generation connected security solutions that will be installed in millions of homes across North America. This is an opportunity to be at the forefront of connected smart locks and IoT access products.Candidates should have at least 6 years of experience and an interest in the IoT space and smart home devices. They enjoy solving problems, are flexible, and are open to quickly learning and adapting to new challenges and opportunities. Candidates should be able to work closely with other engineers to solve problems with varying degrees of complexity and scope. This role works with cross-functional team members, including firmware and hardware engineers, mobile application and cloud developers, the software testing team, and non-technical stakeholders.**Primary Duties and Responsibilities*** Lead hardware project execution for assigned products or major subsystems.* Define system-level interfaces, component strategy, and validation plans.* Mentor hardware engineers and provide technical guidance on design quality.* Drive complex debugging and root-cause analysis across electro-mechanical systems.* Lead design and reviews for schematics, layouts, drawings, BOMs, tooling, and test results.* Manage prototype assemblies, pilot builds, bring-up, and design verification.* Partner with firmware, mechanical, manufacturing, quality, operations, and supply chain teams.* Manage technical risks, tradeoffs, change control, and release readiness.* Improve development, DFM/DFA, validation, and documentation practices.* Ensure hardware quality, reliability, manufacturability, and compliance readiness.**Education and Experience Profile*** BS or MS degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or similar.* 6+ years of progressive hardware or product engineering experience required.**Required Skills*** Strong hardware architecture, interface definition, and validation planning experience.* Proven board-level design, component selection, and electro-mechanical debugging skills.* Experience with DFM/DFA, FMEA/PFMEA, compliance, reliability, and manufacturing readiness.* Practical experience with prototype builds, pilot runs, change control, and release documentation.* Ability to mentor engineers and lead technical execution for hardware projects.* Solid MCU layout skills including power and signal analysis.* Experience with chip-to-chip communication protocols or interfaces (I2C, SPI, UART, etc.)* Ability to debug hardware, including hardware bring-up, debugging RF, logic probing, and voltage measurements.* Experience with multi-Layer PCB layout & Schematics (Altium preferred),* Familiarity with BOM’s and vendor component approval.* Familiarity with issue-tracking software such as Jira, collaboration tools such as Confluence, and version control.* Organized, able to multitask, and able to manage multiple projects simultaneously with varying degrees of complexity, priority, and urgency.* Keen sense of urgency, ownership, and follow-through.* Effective communicator who is passionate, flexible, collaborative, able to work independently, able to set goals, and brings a positive “can-do” attitude.* Excellent documentation practices.**Additional Desired Skills*** Experience developing low-power, battery-operated consumer devices.* Experience in mixed RF antenna design and performance.* Experience in FCC testing and certification.* Experience with IoT connectivity protocols and interoperability standards, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Zigbee, Z-Wave, Thread, Matter, and Aliro.* Scripting/Python skills supporting production testing and provisioning.**Business Environment**You will be joining the Americas Residential Electronics team within ASSA ABLOY located in Lake Forest, California. We are a leading global provider of well-known brands such as Kwikset, Baldwin, Weiser and Level Lock. With decades of mechanical door lock expertise, we began incorporating electronics and wireless solutions 15 years ago to deliver increasingly advanced security products. From our global engineering office in Lake Forest, with supporting teams in Taiwan, China, and Mexico, our passionate engineers ship products used by millions.**Work Environment:**Working conditions are normal for an office environment. Minimal travel is required. Hybrid work includes three days per week in the office.Pay Range: $97,000-$152,000.This “base salary range” is a reasonable estimate for this position at the time of posting. Pay within each range is based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, to primary work job-related knowledge, skills, experience, business requirements and geographic location. ASSA ABLOY conducts regular review of compensation ranges and therefore reserves the right to alter this range at any given time. The above information in this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this job/classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. #J-18808-Ljbffr