Electrical Systems Engineer Jobs in California
Electrical systems engineer jobs in California are among the most active in the country, with strong demand concentrated in aerospace and defense, semiconductor manufacturing, clean energy, and advanced transportation across seniority levels from entry-level associate engineer through principal and staff engineer. The largest hiring markets are Los Angeles, San Diego, and the San Francisco Bay Area, where employers such as Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, and Tesla maintain significant engineering workforces. The most in-demand specialties in California include power systems design, embedded systems, and systems integration for both defense platforms and electric vehicle programs. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 65+ Electrical Systems Engineer jobs
Location
Sunnyvale, CA
Employment Type
Full time
Location Type
On-site
Department
Hardware
Cerebras Systems builds the world's largest AI chip, 56 times larger than GPUs. This architecture allows Cerebras to deliver industry-leading training and inference speeds; over 10 times faster than GPU-based hyperscale cloud inference services.
This order of magnitude increase in speed is transforming the user experience of AI applications, unlocking real-time iteration and increasing intelligence via additional agentic computation.
Cerebras works with the leading model labs, global enterprises, and cutting-edge AI-native startups. OpenAI recently announced a multi-year partnership with Cerebras, to deploy 750 megawatts of scale, transforming key workloads with ultra high-speed inference.
Role Summary
This position develops the test capabilities and experimental evidence needed to assess the reliability of electrical hardware. You will evaluate PCB assemblies, power supplies, AC/DC and DC/DC converters, voltage regulators, and power distribution assemblies through controlled electrical and environmental testing.
A central part of the role is creating practical test solutions: designing and building custom jigs and fixtures, integrating instruments and electronic loads, writing automation, and tracking performance throughout accelerated stress testing. You will work directly with the Systems team to establish realistic operating conditions and evaluate how components, boards, and power modules behave within the complete system.
Electrical failure analysis is also part of the work. You will investigate abnormal behavior, reproduce failures, isolate suspect components or circuits, and collaborate with the Failure Analysis and Design teams to connect test results with failure mechanisms and verify corrective actions.
Key Responsibilities
Design, assemble, and troubleshoot custom electrical test jigs, fixtures, interface boards, load circuits, and wiring harnesses for power electronics and system reliability testing.
Work directly with the Systems team to establish representative workloads, power sequencing, electrical interfaces, operating limits, and monitoring requirements.
Translate product requirements and reliability risks into test plans with defined stress conditions, sample sizes, durations, measurements, and acceptance criteria.
Build automated test setups integrating programmable power supplies, electronic loads, switching hardware, sensors, and data acquisition equipment.
Develop Python or equivalent software for instrument control, test sequencing, continuous monitoring, fault capture, and analysis.
Execute accelerated life testing, burn-in, powered temperature cycling, power/load cycling, and biased temperature/humidity testing based on the hardware and failure mechanisms being evaluated.
Establish electrical baselines and monitor changes before, during, and after stress. Measurements may include efficiency, regulation, ripple and noise, transient response, startup/shutdown behavior, protection functions, and thermal derating.
Investigate electrical failures using schematics, PCB layouts, component datasheets, and bench measurements to isolate shorts, opens, leakage, intermittent behavior, and performance degradation.
Reproduce system-level anomalies in controlled experiments with the Systems team and correlate electrical results with physical failure-analysis findings.
Use DOE, statistical reliability analysis, and physics-of-failure methods to assess degradation, compare design alternatives, and evaluate component or process changes.
Partner with Design, Failure Analysis, Mechanical/Thermal Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, and suppliers to validate corrective actions and communicate reliability risks.
Maintain calibrated, repeatable test setups with appropriate electrical protection and interlocks.
Document fixture designs, test procedures, results, and investigation findings so that methods can be reproduced and conclusions can guide engineering decisions.
Skills and Qualifications
5+ years of experience in electrical testing, hardware validation, reliability engineering, or electrical failure analysis.
Demonstrated ability to turn electrical test requirements into working laboratory setups, including custom fixtures, interface circuitry, wiring, and instrumentation.
Strong knowledge of PCBAs, power conversion, voltage regulation, power distribution, and electronic circuit behavior.
Practical experience with oscilloscopes, differential and current probes, programmable power supplies, electronic loads, multimeters, power analyzers, source measurement units, and data acquisition systems.
Proficiency in Python, LabVIEW, or equivalent tools for test automation and data analysis.
Strong circuit-debugging skills and the ability to interpret schematics, PCB layouts, and component specifications.
Understanding of accelerated testing, electronics failure mechanisms, reliability statistics, and measurement uncertainty.
Familiarity with relevant JEDEC and IPC test methods and qualification practices.
Ability to collaborate directly with Systems engineers, communicate technical findings clearly, and manage multiple laboratory investigations.
BS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
Desired Skills and Qualifications
Master’s degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
Experience integrating electrical test fixtures with environmental chambers and automated monitoring systems.
Hands-on work with high-current power modules, converters, and power delivery assemblies.
Experience with board bring-up, system integration, embedded firmware, Linux-based test environments, and hardware communication interfaces.
Knowledge of reliability concerns associated with power semiconductors, capacitors, magnetic components, connectors, and solder joints.
Ability to interpret microscopy, thermal imaging, X-ray, and cross-sectional findings in the context of electrical failures.
Location: Sunnyvale, CA
The base salary range for this position is $190,000 to $230,000 annually. Actual compensation may include bonus and equity, and will be determined based on factors such as experience, skills, and qualifications.
Why Join Cerebras
People who are serious about software make their own hardware. At Cerebras, we have built a breakthrough architecture that is unlocking new opportunities for the AI industry. With dozens of model releases and rapid growth, we’ve reached an inflection point in our business. Members of our team tell us there are five main reasons they joined Cerebras:
Build a breakthrough AI platform beyond the constraints of the GPU.
Publish and open source their cutting-edge AI research.
Work on one of the fastest AI supercomputers in the world.
Enjoy job stability with startup vitality.
Our simple, non-corporate work culture that respects individual beliefs.
Apply today and become part of the forefront of groundbreaking advancements in AI!
Cerebras Systems is committed to creating an equal and diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate different backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We believe inclusive teams build better products and companies. We try every day to build a work environment that empowers people to do their best work through continuous learning, growth and support of those around them.
Location
Sunnyvale, CA
Employment Type
Full time
Location Type
On-site
Department
Hardware
Cerebras Systems builds the world's largest AI chip, 56 times larger than GPUs. This architecture allows Cerebras to deliver industry-leading training and inference speeds; over 10 times faster than GPU-based hyperscale cloud inference services.
This order of magnitude increase in speed is transforming the user experience of AI applications, unlocking real-time iteration and increasing intelligence via additional agentic computation.
Cerebras works with the leading model labs, global enterprises, and cutting-edge AI-native startups. OpenAI recently announced a multi-year partnership with Cerebras, to deploy 750 megawatts of scale, transforming key workloads with ultra high-speed inference.
Role Summary
This position develops the test capabilities and experimental evidence needed to assess the reliability of electrical hardware. You will evaluate PCB assemblies, power supplies, AC/DC and DC/DC converters, voltage regulators, and power distribution assemblies through controlled electrical and environmental testing.
A central part of the role is creating practical test solutions: designing and building custom jigs and fixtures, integrating instruments and electronic loads, writing automation, and tracking performance throughout accelerated stress testing. You will work directly with the Systems team to establish realistic operating conditions and evaluate how components, boards, and power modules behave within the complete system.
Electrical failure analysis is also part of the work. You will investigate abnormal behavior, reproduce failures, isolate suspect components or circuits, and collaborate with the Failure Analysis and Design teams to connect test results with failure mechanisms and verify corrective actions.
Key Responsibilities
Design, assemble, and troubleshoot custom electrical test jigs, fixtures, interface boards, load circuits, and wiring harnesses for power electronics and system reliability testing.
Work directly with the Systems team to establish representative workloads, power sequencing, electrical interfaces, operating limits, and monitoring requirements.
Translate product requirements and reliability risks into test plans with defined stress conditions, sample sizes, durations, measurements, and acceptance criteria.
Build automated test setups integrating programmable power supplies, electronic loads, switching hardware, sensors, and data acquisition equipment.
Develop Python or equivalent software for instrument control, test sequencing, continuous monitoring, fault capture, and analysis.
Execute accelerated life testing, burn-in, powered temperature cycling, power/load cycling, and biased temperature/humidity testing based on the hardware and failure mechanisms being evaluated.
Establish electrical baselines and monitor changes before, during, and after stress. Measurements may include efficiency, regulation, ripple and noise, transient response, startup/shutdown behavior, protection functions, and thermal derating.
Investigate electrical failures using schematics, PCB layouts, component datasheets, and bench measurements to isolate shorts, opens, leakage, intermittent behavior, and performance degradation.
Reproduce system-level anomalies in controlled experiments with the Systems team and correlate electrical results with physical failure-analysis findings.
Use DOE, statistical reliability analysis, and physics-of-failure methods to assess degradation, compare design alternatives, and evaluate component or process changes.
Partner with Design, Failure Analysis, Mechanical/Thermal Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, and suppliers to validate corrective actions and communicate reliability risks.
Maintain calibrated, repeatable test setups with appropriate electrical protection and interlocks.
Document fixture designs, test procedures, results, and investigation findings so that methods can be reproduced and conclusions can guide engineering decisions.
Skills and Qualifications
5+ years of experience in electrical testing, hardware validation, reliability engineering, or electrical failure analysis.
Demonstrated ability to turn electrical test requirements into working laboratory setups, including custom fixtures, interface circuitry, wiring, and instrumentation.
Strong knowledge of PCBAs, power conversion, voltage regulation, power distribution, and electronic circuit behavior.
Practical experience with oscilloscopes, differential and current probes, programmable power supplies, electronic loads, multimeters, power analyzers, source measurement units, and data acquisition systems.
Proficiency in Python, LabVIEW, or equivalent tools for test automation and data analysis.
Strong circuit-debugging skills and the ability to interpret schematics, PCB layouts, and component specifications.
Understanding of accelerated testing, electronics failure mechanisms, reliability statistics, and measurement uncertainty.
Familiarity with relevant JEDEC and IPC test methods and qualification practices.
Ability to collaborate directly with Systems engineers, communicate technical findings clearly, and manage multiple laboratory investigations.
BS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
Desired Skills and Qualifications
Master’s degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
Experience integrating electrical test fixtures with environmental chambers and automated monitoring systems.
Hands-on work with high-current power modules, converters, and power delivery assemblies.
Experience with board bring-up, system integration, embedded firmware, Linux-based test environments, and hardware communication interfaces.
Knowledge of reliability concerns associated with power semiconductors, capacitors, magnetic components, connectors, and solder joints.
Ability to interpret microscopy, thermal imaging, X-ray, and cross-sectional findings in the context of electrical failures.
Location: Sunnyvale, CA
The base salary range for this position is $190,000 to $230,000 annually. Actual compensation may include bonus and equity, and will be determined based on factors such as experience, skills, and qualifications.
Why Join Cerebras
People who are serious about software make their own hardware. At Cerebras, we have built a breakthrough architecture that is unlocking new opportunities for the AI industry. With dozens of model releases and rapid growth, we’ve reached an inflection point in our business. Members of our team tell us there are five main reasons they joined Cerebras:
Build a breakthrough AI platform beyond the constraints of the GPU.
Publish and open source their cutting-edge AI research.
Work on one of the fastest AI supercomputers in the world.
Enjoy job stability with startup vitality.
Our simple, non-corporate work culture that respects individual beliefs.
Apply today and become part of the forefront of groundbreaking advancements in AI!
Cerebras Systems is committed to creating an equal and diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate different backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We believe inclusive teams build better products and companies. We try every day to build a work environment that empowers people to do their best work through continuous learning, growth and support of those around them.
See All 65 Electrical Systems Engineer Jobs in California
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Find JobsElectrical Systems Engineer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Electrical Systems Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
- Science & Research
- Electronics & Hardware
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
- Consulting & Professional Services
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in electrical systems engineer jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or closely related field from an accredited program
- Experience with systems engineering lifecycle including requirements, design, and verification
- Proficiency in tools such as MATLAB, Simulink, or equivalent electrical modeling software
- Familiarity with DO-178, MIL-STD, or IEEE standards relevant to California defense and aerospace work
- Professional Engineer license from the California Board for Professional Engineers preferred for senior roles
- Ability to obtain or hold a U.S. security clearance for defense and government contract positions
Electrical Systems Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a electrical systems engineer in California?
The standard path begins with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from an ABET-accredited program, followed by passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam administered through the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists. After gaining qualifying experience, engineers can pursue the Professional Engineer license in California, which is required or strongly preferred for senior and lead roles, particularly on public infrastructure and defense contracts.
How much do electrical systems engineers make in California?
Electrical systems engineers in California earn a median of about $144,040 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $81,840 for the lowest 10% to over $217,760 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire electrical systems engineers in California?
Employers hiring electrical systems engineers in California right now include Apple, Rivian, and Anduril, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's concentration of aerospace primes, semiconductor firms, and clean energy companies makes it one of the deepest markets nationally for this role.
Which California cities have the most electrical systems engineer jobs?
The cities with the most electrical systems engineer openings in California are Irvine, San Diego, and Milpitas. Los Angeles and San Diego drive volume through large defense and aerospace contractors headquartered there, while the Bay Area's concentration of semiconductor, clean energy, and electric vehicle companies accounts for a significant share of the remaining openings.
Are there remote electrical systems engineer jobs in California?
Yes, but they're limited, since most electrical systems engineering work involves hands-on lab testing, hardware integration, and on-site collaboration. About 41% of electrical systems engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those tend to cover model-based systems engineering, documentation, and requirements analysis rather than hardware-facing roles.
How can I get hired as a electrical systems engineer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying directly to new-graduate rotational programs at California aerospace and defense employers such as Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, and L3Harris, which regularly recruit ABET-accredited graduates with no prior industry experience. Adjacent roles like electrical engineering technician or test engineer at contract manufacturers in Southern California can also serve as a bridge. Completing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam early and building a senior capstone project around systems integration gives candidates a concrete edge in California hiring.
Where can I find and apply to electrical systems engineer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to electrical systems engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings for this role. Find the roles that fit your background and apply directly from the listing.
See All 65 Electrical Systems Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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