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Startup Electrical Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Robust.ai

Electrical Engineer

San Carlos, CA

$160K - $200K/yr

About you and this role Robust AI is a fast-growing, early-stage startup founded in 2019 by an ... As an Electrical Engineer at Robust AI, you will join a small, fast-paced team designing and ...

New

Robust.ai

Electrical Engineer

San Carlos, CA · On-site

$160K - $200K/yr

About you and this role Robust AI is a fast-growing, early-stage startup founded in 2019 by an ... As an Electrical Engineer at Robust AI, you will join a small, fast-paced team designing and ...

New

Robust.ai

Electrical Engineer

San Carlos, CA · On-site

$160K - $200K/yr

About you and this role Robust AI is a fast-growing, early-stage startup founded in 2019 by an ... As an Electrical Engineer at Robust AI, you will join a small, fast-paced team designing and ...

New

GITAI

Electrical Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

GITAI is an early-stage hardware startup. Requirements will change, interfaces will move, and the ... Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or a closely related hardware ...

Aurelius Systems

Electrical Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$130K - $170K/yr

Aurelius Systems is a VC backed defense tech startup building autonomous, edge deployed directed ... The Role & Your Impact: We need an Electrical Engineer who can own a wide surface area of ...

Monarch Quantum

Electrical Engineer 4

San Diego, CA · On-site

$175K - $225K/yr

Join our fast-paced and passionate team as an Electrical Engineer 4. As we scale, you will be ... This is a dynamic, hands-on role for a self-starter who thrives in a fluid startup environment. You ...

Monarch Quantum

Electrical Engineer 4

San Diego, CA · On-site

$175K - $225K/yr

Join our fast-paced and passionate team as an Electrical Engineer 4. As we scale, you will be ... This is a dynamic, hands-on role for a self-starter who thrives in a fluid startup environment. You ...

GITAI

Electrical Engineer

Los Angeles, CA

Your Mission As an Electrical Engineer at GITAI, you will own board-level electrical hardware ... GITAI is an early-stage hardware startup. Requirements will change, interfaces will move, and the ...

GITAI

Electrical Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

Your Mission As an Electrical Engineer at GITAI, you will own board-level electrical hardware ... GITAI is an early-stage hardware startup. Requirements will change, interfaces will move, and the ...

Monarch Quantum

Electrical Engineer 4

San Diego, CA · On-site

$175K - $225K/yr

Join our fast-paced and passionate team as an Electrical Engineer 4. As we scale, you will be ... This is a dynamic, hands-on role for a self-starter who thrives in a fluid startup environment. You ...

Charge Robotics

Senior Electrical Engineer

San Leandro, CA · On-site

$165K - $220K/yr

Charge Robotics is a Series A startup building robots that build solar farms. Demand for new solar ... As a Senior Electrical Engineer at Charge Robotics, you'll be designing and implementing the ...

Singularity Defense Corp.

Electrical Engineer

Gardena, CA · On-site

$120K - $165K/yr

We are a stealth-mode Aerospace & Defense startup headquartered in Gardena, CA. Our founding team ... As an electrical engineer you will own the design, manufacturing, and integration of the embedded ...

Monarch Quantum

Electrical Engineer 3

San Diego, CA · On-site

$125K - $175K/yr

Join our fast-paced and passionate team as an Electrical Engineer 3. As we scale, you will be ... This is a dynamic, hands-on role for a self-starter who thrives in a fluid startup environment. You ...

Monarch Quantum

Electrical Engineer 3

San Diego, CA · On-site

$125K - $175K/yr

Join our fast-paced and passionate team as an Electrical Engineer 3. As we scale, you will be ... This is a dynamic, hands-on role for a self-starter who thrives in a fluid startup environment. You ...

Monarch Quantum

Electrical Engineer 3

San Diego, CA · On-site

$125K - $175K/yr

Join our fast-paced and passionate team as an Electrical Engineer 3. As we scale, you will be ... This is a dynamic, hands-on role for a self-starter who thrives in a fluid startup environment. You ...

TRL11, Inc.

Lead Electrical Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$171K - $179K/yr

TRL11, Inc. is a venture-backed startup at the forefront of advanced video and imaging technology ... As a Senior Electrical Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in designing and delivering high ...

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsStartup Electrical Engineer JobsStartup Electrical Engineer Jobs in California

Startup Electrical Engineer information

See California salary details

$49.8K

$109.6K

$165.8K

How much do startup electrical engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for startup 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 is a startup electrical engineer?

A Startup Electrical Engineer is responsible for designing, testing, and optimizing electrical systems in a startup environment, often wearing multiple hats due to resource constraints. They work on developing hardware, selecting components, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. Unlike engineers in larger companies, they may also handle prototyping, troubleshooting, and even aspects of manufacturing or product development. Strong problem-solving skills and adaptability are key, as startups require rapid iteration and innovation.

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

To thrive as a Startup Electrical Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering principles, circuit design, and prototyping, typically supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with industry-standard tools such as Altium Designer, MATLAB, and PCB layout software, as well as knowledge of compliance standards like UL or CE, is crucial. Strong problem-solving, adaptability, and effective collaboration skills enable you to contribute in dynamic, fast-paced startup environments. These abilities help ensure innovative solutions, rapid product development, and successful teamwork in achieving early-stage company goals.

What are some unique challenges a startup electrical engineer might face compared to working at a larger company?

Startup Electrical Engineers often encounter rapidly changing project scopes, tight deadlines, and a need to wear many hats, from hardware design to hands-on prototyping and testing. Unlike specialized roles at larger firms, you may be involved in multiple aspects of product development and frequently collaborate with founders, software engineers, and manufacturing partners. This environment demands flexibility, initiative, and resilience, but it also offers a chance to make a significant impact and quickly advance your career. If you enjoy creative problem-solving and thrive under fast-paced, entrepreneurial conditions, a startup setting can be highly rewarding.

Are startup electrical engineers still in demand?

Startup electrical engineers are still in demand due to the growth of innovative technology companies and the need for expertise in circuit design, power systems, and embedded systems. Skills in CAD software, prototyping, and certifications like PE can enhance job prospects in this field.

What businesses can you start as a startup electrical engineer?

A startup electrical engineer can establish businesses in areas such as developing electronic devices, designing custom circuits, or creating renewable energy solutions. They can also offer consulting services, prototype development, or product design, leveraging skills in circuit design, embedded systems, and CAD tools. Success often depends on technical expertise, industry knowledge, and understanding of market needs.

What are popular job titles related to Startup Electrical Engineer jobs in California?

For Startup Electrical Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Startup Electrical Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Startup Electrical Engineer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Startup Electrical Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Startup Electrical Engineer job openings:

Startup Electrical Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Startup Electrical Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 8% Internship, 84% Full Time, and 8% Nights. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $109,636 per year, or $52.7 per hour.

Electrical Engineer

Robust.ai

San Carlos, CA

$160K - $200K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Posted 2 days ago

New

Job description

About you and this role

Robust AI is a fast-growing, early-stage startup founded in 2019 by an unsurpassed team of veterans in robotics, AI, and business. We are a collaborative group with a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives, seeking talented individuals who are just as excited about robotics and AI as we are! Help us redefine the very foundation of robotics and build robots that are smart, collaborative, robust, safe, flexible, and genuinely autonomous.

As an Electrical Engineer at Robust AI, you will join a small, fast-paced team designing and deploying the next generation of warehouse robotic systems. You'll own schematic capture and board layout for custom PCBs, get your hands dirty debugging and bringing up hardware on our current robot fleet, and help inform the design of our next-generation robot. You thrive in ambiguity, move quickly, and are comfortable wearing multiple hats — the kind of engineer who's happiest when a scope, a soldering iron, and a stack of datasheets are all within arm's reach. You're excited about seeing robots deployed at scale, and you can pivot effectively as priorities shift in an early-stage startup environment.

The base pay range for this role is between $160,000 and $200,000, depending on your skills, qualifications and experience.

Main responsibilities

  • Design, prototype, and iterate custom PCBs for the robot, from schematic capture through board layout

  • Hands-on bring-up, debugging, and testing of electrical hardware on our current robot fleet

  • Collaborate with the team to formulate electrical architecture and inform next-generation robot design

  • Generate design documentation and lead design reviews

  • Conduct bench modifications and rapid hardware prototyping to unblock development

  • Engage with cross-functional engineering team members (mechanical, firmware, software) to fulfill and enhance performance requirements while optimizing hardware/firmware interfaces

  • Support firmware integration, testing, and debugging alongside the firmware team as needed

  • Work directly with fab houses and contract manufacturers to take boards from prototype through production, and design with EMC compliance in mind

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or equivalent

  • 5+ years of experience in electrical/hardware engineering

  • Strong electrical and embedded systems fundamentals

  • Experience with schematic capture and PCB layout (Altium preferred)

  • Experience taking boards from prototype to production, including working with fab houses and contract manufacturers, and designing with EMC compliance in mind

  • Hands-on experience debugging complex electro-mechanical hardware with tools such as scopes, logic analyzers, and DMMs

  • Familiarity with communication protocols such as USB, I2C, SPI, UART, RS485, etc.

  • Experience conducting bench modifications and fast development of hardware prototypes

  • Comfortable working in a fast-paced, early-stage startup environment and able to pivot effectively as priorities change

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to both technical and cross-functional audiences

Preferred Qualifications (bonus)

  • Experience with firmware development in C

  • Experience with scripting languages (Python) and comfort working in Linux environments

  • Proficiency with microcontrollers, preferably within the STM32 family

  • Experience with BLDC motors and motor control is a plus

  • Previous experience working with robotic or mechatronic systems

What we offer

  • Base pay between $160,000 and $200,000, dependent on your skills, qualifications and experience

  • Stock options and huge potential for growth

  • Strong startup (and fun) culture

  • Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage

  • Flexible vacation and sick leave practices

  • Paid parental leave

Robust AI fosters a culture of belonging and a shared commitment to equality and equity. Having a diverse set of perspectives is key to ensuring AI and robotics serve the needs of all.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.