Hardware Engineer Jobs in San Jose, CA
Hardware Engineer jobs in San Jose are in high demand, concentrated in North San Jose, the Downtown Tech Corridor, and the Alviso and Edenvale industrial zones, across semiconductor design, consumer electronics, and defense systems. Companies actively posting include Cisco, Muon Space, and Etched. 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.
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Find Hardware Engineer JobsHardware Engineer Job Market in San Jose
Who's Hiring
- Cisco100
- Muon Space50
- Etched40
- Broadcom30
- Teradyne30
Top Industries Hiring
- Electronics & Hardware60
- Consulting & Professional Services20
- Technology & Software10
Hardware Engineer Jobs in San Jose: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a hardware engineer job in San Jose?
San Jose's hardware engineering market centers on semiconductor companies, consumer electronics manufacturers, and defense contractors clustered in North San Jose and the Alviso area. Candidates who stand out typically bring hands-on experience with chip design, PCB layout, or embedded systems. Familiarity with VLSI tools, FPGA development, or RF design gives a real edge, and targeting mid-size IC design houses alongside the large primes opens more doors.
Which companies hire hardware engineers in San Jose?
Employers hiring hardware engineers in San Jose right now include Cisco, Muon Space, and Etched, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. The local market is driven by a dense mix of semiconductor firms, storage and networking hardware companies, and defense electronics primes concentrated in the north and east sides of the city.
Are there remote hardware engineer jobs in San Jose?
Yes, though hardware engineering is less remote-friendly than software roles because much of the work requires lab access, prototyping equipment, and on-site testing. About 53% of hardware engineer openings tied to San Jose are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, with flexibility most common for roles focused on digital design, verification, and simulation rather than physical bring-up or manufacturing support.
How can I get a hardware engineer job in San Jose with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in San Jose is targeting associate or junior hardware engineer roles at mid-size semiconductor and storage companies, which hire more regularly at entry level than large primes. Internship pipelines at San Jose State University and local community college engineering programs feed directly into these firms. Building a portfolio around FPGA projects, PCB designs, or simulation work gives hiring managers something concrete to evaluate before an interview.
Which industries hire the most hardware engineers in San Jose?
Most hardware engineer openings in San Jose sit in Electronics & Hardware, Consulting & Professional Services, and Technology & Software, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. San Jose's role as the historic center of Silicon Valley means semiconductor design and storage technology in particular drive a disproportionate share of local hardware engineering demand compared with most other U.S. cities.
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