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.
Find Hardware Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 495+ Hardware Engineer jobs
INTRODUCTION
At Apple, our Platform Architecture group is responsible for connecting our hardware and software into one unified system. You’ll collaborate with engineers across Apple to characterize how all of our technologies work in unison, driving development of our renowned system-on-a-chip architecture and future products.
DESCRIPTION
Our team is analyzing SoC power and performance characteristics on shipping products to inform future product direction.
In this role, you will use existing and new workloads and benchmarks to analyze SoC power and performance across multiple functional subsystems (CPU, GPU, etc.). Working with your colleagues, you will identify performance limitations and provide recommendations for Apple hardware and software improvements.
Responsibilities
- Collect and analyze power and performance data across a broad range of devices and workloads
- Understand new and emerging software workloads, develop procedures and automation for measuring power and performance
- Set up and configure new devices and software to enable accurate and repeatable benchmarking
- Disassembling/reassembling of consumer devices while preserving functionality and thermal properties
- Debugging and troubleshooting of desktop and mobile devices
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related quantitative field (or equivalent practical experience)
- Experience using benchmark software tools to accurately measure system performance
- Experience with Python and shell scripting
- Experience with modern consumer electronics devices, SoCs and multiple operating systems
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Solid foundation in computer architecture fundamentals
- Experience using power measurement tools with benchmark software for simultaneous power and performance measurements
- Curiosity about hardware/software co-design and a demonstrated drive to learn independently
- Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across teams
- Understanding the design or reverse-engineering of DC power delivery circuits
- Some systems programming or driver development experience, especially relating to power management
PAY & BENEFITS
At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $129,300 and $225,300, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple's discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple's Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You'll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses - including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. Learn more about Apple Benefits
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
INTRODUCTION
At Apple, our Platform Architecture group is responsible for connecting our hardware and software into one unified system. You’ll collaborate with engineers across Apple to characterize how all of our technologies work in unison, driving development of our renowned system-on-a-chip architecture and future products.
DESCRIPTION
Our team is analyzing SoC power and performance characteristics on shipping products to inform future product direction.
In this role, you will use existing and new workloads and benchmarks to analyze SoC power and performance across multiple functional subsystems (CPU, GPU, etc.). Working with your colleagues, you will identify performance limitations and provide recommendations for Apple hardware and software improvements.
Responsibilities
- Collect and analyze power and performance data across a broad range of devices and workloads
- Understand new and emerging software workloads, develop procedures and automation for measuring power and performance
- Set up and configure new devices and software to enable accurate and repeatable benchmarking
- Disassembling/reassembling of consumer devices while preserving functionality and thermal properties
- Debugging and troubleshooting of desktop and mobile devices
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related quantitative field (or equivalent practical experience)
- Experience using benchmark software tools to accurately measure system performance
- Experience with Python and shell scripting
- Experience with modern consumer electronics devices, SoCs and multiple operating systems
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Solid foundation in computer architecture fundamentals
- Experience using power measurement tools with benchmark software for simultaneous power and performance measurements
- Curiosity about hardware/software co-design and a demonstrated drive to learn independently
- Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across teams
- Understanding the design or reverse-engineering of DC power delivery circuits
- Some systems programming or driver development experience, especially relating to power management
PAY & BENEFITS
At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $129,300 and $225,300, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple's discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple's Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You'll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses - including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. Learn more about Apple Benefits
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
See All 495+ Hardware Engineer Jobs in California
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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
- Tesla41
- Apple26
- Amazon25
- Meta16
- Google15
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software48
- Electronics & Hardware42
- Science & Research7
- Banking & Financial Services7
- Retail6
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 September 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?
San Jose, Santa Clara, and Sunnyvale 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 35% of hardware engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 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 495+ Hardware Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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