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Startup Electrical Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

GITAI

Electrical Engineer

Los Angeles, CA

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

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

$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 a Electrical Engineer at GITAI, you will own board-level electrical hardware design ... 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 ...

GITAI

Electrical Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

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

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 ...

Monarch Quantum

Electrical Engineer 1

San Diego, CA · On-site

$70K - $85K/yr

This is a dynamic, hands-on role for a self-starter who thrives in a fluid startup environment. You ... Responsible for working with a group of engineers on electrical designs. * Responsible for working ...

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 ...

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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 23, 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 the most commonly searched types of Startup Electrical Engineer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Startup Electrical Engineer jobs in California are:

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 20% Internship, and 80% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $109,636 per year, or $52.7 per hour.

Electrical Engineer

David Joseph & Company

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$160 - $250/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Posted 12 days ago

Job description

About the Company

Our client is a well-funded Series B company building AI-native consumer electronics. They run as a small, hands-on R&D-driven hardware team with a real in-house prototyping lab, and they have the runway and creative freedom to explore what's genuinely possible in AI hardware rather than iterate on a single product line. This is a pre-revenue, zero-to-one environment focused on launching a first product and building out a core team.

Founded 2021 · ~22 people · Industry: Consumer Tech / AI hardware

The Role

A hands-on electrical engineering role on a small hardware team inside a lean, flat, fast-moving company. The scope is deliberately broad — you\'ll do a bit of everything and own problems end-to-end rather than working within a narrow, specialized lane. The pace is startup-fast but balanced (not a grind-culture shop).

What you\'ll be doing

  • Hands-on electrical engineering across small form-factor, AI-native consumer devices
  • Broad, end-to-end ownership on a small hardware team
  • Rapid prototyping and iteration in an in-house lab, from concept toward production
  • Close collaboration with software and hardware colleagues in a zero-to-one setting

Tech stack: Shared during the process

Requirements
  • Roughly 3–12 years of electrical engineering experience
  • Comfortable operating broadly in a lean startup — owning a wide surface area rather than a single narrow function
  • Self-directed and startup-ready, thriving with ambiguity and high ownership
  • Genuine curiosity and a builder\'s mindset
  • Able to work on-site in San Francisco five days a week
Nice to Haves
  • Experience with small form-factor hardware and consumer products
  • A track record of strong personal projects, tinkering, and hands-on building
  • A startup or small-team background with broad scope
  • High autonomy, ownership, and comfort with fast-moving, undefined problems
Why Join
  • Build AI-native consumer hardware from the ground up, with real creative latitude and runway
  • Genuine end-to-end ownership on a small team with an in-house prototyping lab
  • Balanced, startup-fast culture (explicitly not a 996 environment)
  • Medical, dental, and vision fully covered, 4–5 weeks PTO, and free meals
Details
  • Location — San Francisco, CA
  • Work policy — Fully on-site, 5 days/week
  • Compensation — $160,000–$250,000 + competitive equity
  • Visa sponsorship — Available (H-1B, OPT); relocation supported
  • Employment type — Full-time
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