Hardware Engineer Jobs in California
Hardware Engineer jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in semiconductors, consumer electronics, defense systems, and electric vehicles, with openings at every level from entry-level ASIC validation to principal hardware design. The largest hiring clusters are in the San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego, and Los Angeles, where companies like Apple, Qualcomm, and Northrop Grumman have deep, lasting engineering operations. The most in-demand specialties right now are PCB design, FPGA development, and embedded hardware engineering. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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About Hark
Hark is an artificial intelligence company building advanced, personalized intelligence. One that is proactive, multimodal, and capable of interacting with the world through speech, text, vision, and persistent memory.
We're pairing that intelligence with next-generation hardware to create a universal interface between humans and machines. While today's AI largely operates through chat boxes and decade-old devices, Hark is focused on what comes next: agentic systems that interact naturally with people and the real world.
To get there, we're developing multimodal models and next-generation AI hardware together - designed from the ground up as a single, unified interface for a new era of intelligent systems.
About the Role
We are looking for a Hardware Test Engineer to build the test infrastructure that ensures our AI-powered devices meet quality, reliability, and performance standards at every stage of development. You will own test strategy from board bring-up through mass production, designing fixtures, writing automation scripts, and defining the criteria that decide whether a product ships. From functional test on the bench to burn-in and stress testing at the factory, you will be the last line of defense before our devices reach users.
Responsibilities
- Test Strategy: Define and own the end-to-end test plan across EVT, DVT, PVT, and production milestones.
- Fixture Design: Design and develop custom test fixtures (bed-of-nails, pogo pin, cable harness) for PCBA and system-level testing.
- Test Automation: Write automated test scripts in Python to control instruments, collect data, and generate pass/fail reports.
- Board Bring-Up: Lead electrical bring-up of new PCBAs, debugging power rails, clocks, interfaces, and peripheral functionality.
- Reliability Testing: Plan and execute environmental stress tests including thermal cycling, vibration, drop, and accelerated life testing.
- Production Support: Work with contract manufacturers to deploy and maintain test stations on the factory floor, ensuring yield and throughput targets.
- Failure Analysis: Perform root cause analysis on field returns and test failures using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and X-ray inspection.
Requirements
- Education: BS/MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related discipline.
- Test Automation: Strong Python scripting skills for instrument control (SCPI/VISA), data analysis, and test reporting.
- Lab Instrumentation: Expert-level proficiency with oscilloscopes, multimeters, power supplies, spectrum analyzers, and logic analyzers.
- PCB Debugging: Demonstrated ability to bring up and debug complex multi-rail, mixed-signal PCBAs.
- Manufacturing: Experience deploying test systems at contract manufacturers and supporting production ramp.
Bonus Qualifications
- Experience with boundary scan (JTAG), in-circuit test (ICT), and flying probe test methodologies.
- Background in RF test for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or cellular radios.
- Familiarity with LabVIEW, TestStand, or similar test executive frameworks.
- Experience testing products with cameras, displays, microphones, or other sensor arrays.
Compensation
The US base salary range for this full-time position is between $120,000 - $300,000 annually.
The pay offered for this position may vary based on several individual factors, including job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package may also include additional components/benefits depending on the specific role. This information will be shared if an employment offer is extended.
About Hark
Hark is an artificial intelligence company building advanced, personalized intelligence. One that is proactive, multimodal, and capable of interacting with the world through speech, text, vision, and persistent memory.
We're pairing that intelligence with next-generation hardware to create a universal interface between humans and machines. While today's AI largely operates through chat boxes and decade-old devices, Hark is focused on what comes next: agentic systems that interact naturally with people and the real world.
To get there, we're developing multimodal models and next-generation AI hardware together - designed from the ground up as a single, unified interface for a new era of intelligent systems.
About the Role
We are looking for a Hardware Test Engineer to build the test infrastructure that ensures our AI-powered devices meet quality, reliability, and performance standards at every stage of development. You will own test strategy from board bring-up through mass production, designing fixtures, writing automation scripts, and defining the criteria that decide whether a product ships. From functional test on the bench to burn-in and stress testing at the factory, you will be the last line of defense before our devices reach users.
Responsibilities
- Test Strategy: Define and own the end-to-end test plan across EVT, DVT, PVT, and production milestones.
- Fixture Design: Design and develop custom test fixtures (bed-of-nails, pogo pin, cable harness) for PCBA and system-level testing.
- Test Automation: Write automated test scripts in Python to control instruments, collect data, and generate pass/fail reports.
- Board Bring-Up: Lead electrical bring-up of new PCBAs, debugging power rails, clocks, interfaces, and peripheral functionality.
- Reliability Testing: Plan and execute environmental stress tests including thermal cycling, vibration, drop, and accelerated life testing.
- Production Support: Work with contract manufacturers to deploy and maintain test stations on the factory floor, ensuring yield and throughput targets.
- Failure Analysis: Perform root cause analysis on field returns and test failures using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and X-ray inspection.
Requirements
- Education: BS/MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related discipline.
- Test Automation: Strong Python scripting skills for instrument control (SCPI/VISA), data analysis, and test reporting.
- Lab Instrumentation: Expert-level proficiency with oscilloscopes, multimeters, power supplies, spectrum analyzers, and logic analyzers.
- PCB Debugging: Demonstrated ability to bring up and debug complex multi-rail, mixed-signal PCBAs.
- Manufacturing: Experience deploying test systems at contract manufacturers and supporting production ramp.
Bonus Qualifications
- Experience with boundary scan (JTAG), in-circuit test (ICT), and flying probe test methodologies.
- Background in RF test for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or cellular radios.
- Familiarity with LabVIEW, TestStand, or similar test executive frameworks.
- Experience testing products with cameras, displays, microphones, or other sensor arrays.
Compensation
The US base salary range for this full-time position is between $120,000 - $300,000 annually.
The pay offered for this position may vary based on several individual factors, including job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package may also include additional components/benefits depending on the specific role. This information will be shared if an employment offer is extended.
See All 558+ Hardware Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Hardware Engineer JobsHardware Engineer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Hardware Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Tesla50
- Apple38
- Amazon18
- Google16
- Cisco15
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software28
- Electronics & Hardware26
- Science & Research6
- Distribution & Wholesale4
- Retail3
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in hardware engineer jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a closely related field
- Hands-on experience with PCB layout, schematic capture, or FPGA development
- Proficiency with hardware design tools such as Cadence, Altium, or Mentor Graphics
- Familiarity with signal integrity analysis, power delivery, and high-speed digital design
- Experience with lab instruments including oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and spectrum analyzers
- Strong cross-functional collaboration skills with firmware, software, and manufacturing teams
Hardware Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a hardware engineer in California?
Most hardware engineers in California enter the field with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or computer engineering from a California university or accredited program. There is no state-issued license required to work as a hardware engineer in California, unlike licensed engineering disciplines such as civil or mechanical. However, earning a Professional Engineer credential through the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists strengthens candidacy for senior or safety-critical roles.
How much do hardware engineers make in California?
Hardware engineers in California earn a median of about $185,180 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $126,590 for the lowest 10% to over $281,210 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire hardware engineers in California?
Employers hiring hardware engineers in California right now include Tesla, Apple, and Amazon, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's concentration of semiconductor, defense, and consumer electronics companies makes it one of the deepest hardware engineering hiring markets in the country.
Which California cities have the most hardware engineer jobs?
Santa Clara, San Jose, and Palo Alto have the most hardware engineer openings in California. The Bay Area dominates due to the density of semiconductor and consumer electronics headquarters, San Diego is driven by Qualcomm, defense contractors, and wireless hardware firms, and Los Angeles draws demand from aerospace, defense, and emerging electric vehicle companies operating throughout the greater metro.
Are there remote hardware engineer jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. Hardware engineering is inherently hands-on, requiring access to lab equipment, prototypes, and manufacturing floors, which limits remote arrangements. About 40% of hardware engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, with the most remote-eligible work concentrated in design review, simulation, and documentation phases rather than bring-up or validation work.
How can I get hired as a hardware engineer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a hardware engineering internship or new-graduate program at a large California employer. Companies like Apple, Broadcom, and Northrop Grumman run structured new-grad rotations for candidates with relevant coursework and project portfolios. Adjacent entry points include roles in hardware test engineering, lab technician positions, or electronics manufacturing support at California contract manufacturers. A strong capstone project, open-source PCB design portfolio, or hands-on work through a university IEEE chapter gives candidates a concrete edge over applicants with only coursework.
Where can I find and apply to hardware engineer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to hardware engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across industries including semiconductors, defense, consumer electronics, and electric vehicles. Find the roles that fit your background and apply directly.
See All 558+ Hardware Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Hardware Engineer Jobs