Hardware Engineer Jobs in San Diego, CA

Hardware Engineer jobs in San Diego are in strong demand, concentrated in Sorrento Valley, Kearny Mesa, and the Torrey Pines corridor across defense electronics, semiconductors, wireless communications, and medical devices. Employers hiring right now include Qualcomm, Northrop Grumman, and Apple. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

Find Hardware Engineer Jobs

Overview

Open roles558+
Top employerQualcomm
Work type75% On-site
Top credentialBachelor's degree in electrical engineering
Companies hiring19

Showing 4 of 558+ Hardware Engineer jobs

GNSS Hardware Systems Engineer
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Added 2d ago
GNSS Hardware Systems Engineer
Apple
San Diego, California
Specialized Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
$142k - $263k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Hardware Engineer
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Added 4d ago
Hardware Engineer
Capienda Biotech
San Diego, California
Automation QA
Electrical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Specialized Engineering
On-Site
Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering

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Hardware Design Engineer
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Added 4d ago
Hardware Design Engineer
Apple
San Diego, California
Specialized Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Manufacturing Engineering
$142k - $263k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Hardware System Design Engineer - Apple Vision Pro
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Added 1w ago
Hardware System Design Engineer - Apple Vision Pro
Apple
San Diego, California
Embedded Systems Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Software Engineering
$175k - $309k/yr
Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering
10,000+

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See All 558+ Hardware Engineer Jobs in San Diego

Find roles in San Diego that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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Hardware Engineer Job Market in San Diego

Who's Hiring

  • Qualcomm150
  • Northrop Grumman95
  • Apple54
  • Amazon41
  • General Atomics27

Top Industries Hiring

  • Electronics & Hardware54
  • Telecommunications27
  • Technology & Software27
  • Media & Entertainment14

Hardware Engineer Jobs in San Diego: Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get a hardware engineer job in San Diego?

San Diego's hardware engineering market is driven by defense contractors, semiconductor firms, and medical device manufacturers, with most openings concentrated in Sorrento Valley, Kearny Mesa, and the UTC area. Candidates with experience in RF systems, FPGA design, or embedded hardware stand out in this market. Familiarity with defense security clearance requirements gives applicants a significant edge with many San Diego employers.

Which companies hire hardware engineers in San Diego?

Employers hiring hardware engineers in San Diego right now include Qualcomm, Northrop Grumman, and Apple, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. San Diego's hardware hiring is especially concentrated among defense primes, fabless semiconductor companies, and medical device firms with R&D operations in the northern coastal corridor.

Are there remote hardware engineer jobs in San Diego?

Yes, but opportunities are limited since hardware engineering typically requires hands-on lab work, prototype testing, or access to specialized equipment. About 25% of hardware engineer openings tied to San Diego are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, with most flexible arrangements found in roles focused on circuit design, simulation, or hardware verification rather than physical bring-up and integration.

How can I get a hardware engineer job in San Diego with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path in San Diego is through internships or co-op programs with defense contractors and semiconductor companies, many of which recruit directly from UC San Diego and San Diego State University. Entry-level roles in hardware test engineering, PCB layout support, or lab technician positions at mid-size defense firms frequently serve as stepping stones into full hardware design roles locally.

Which industries hire the most hardware engineers in San Diego?

San Diego hardware engineer roles concentrate in Electronics & Hardware, Telecommunications, and Technology & Software, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. San Diego's status as a major Navy and Marine Corps hub, combined with its dense cluster of wireless technology and life sciences companies, makes these sectors the consistent drivers of local hardware engineering demand.

See All 558+ Hardware Engineer Jobs in San Diego

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