How to hire a hardware engineer

How to hire a hardware engineer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step hardware engineer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a hardware engineer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new hardware engineer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a hardware engineer do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the hardware engineer you need to hire. Certain hardware engineer roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A hardware engineer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, hardware engineers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list shows salaries for various types of hardware engineers.

   Type of Hardware Engineer	Description	Hourly rate
   Hardware Engineer	Computer hardware engineers research, design, develop, and test computer systems and components such as processors, circuit boards, memory devices, networks, and routers. These engineers discover new directions in computer hardware, which generate rapid advances in computer technology.	$37-68
   Design Verification Engineer	A design verification engineer is responsible for running diagnostic tests on project outputs and adjusting methodologies as needed to achieve high-quality deliverables according to clients' specifications and business requirements. Design verification engineers create efficient techniques to improve products and services by utilizing various system tools and applications... Show more	$42-74
   Verification Engineer	A verification engineer is responsible for running quality tests to the production processes to ensure high-quality outputs according to business requirements and client specifications. Verification engineers develop testing methodologies, inspect tools and equipment, and creating instructional manuals... Show more	$36-68

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Python
   • RF
   • PCB
   • CAD
   • Analog
   • Cadence
   • Verilog
   • Linux
   • DSP
   • C
   • C++
   • LabVIEW
   • Circuit Design
   • RTL

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage multiple consultants designing Altera FPGAs for CMD.
   • Develop both JAVA and PythonQT GUI for managing searches.
   • Modify python scripts using SCPI commands to automate test equipment via GPIB interface.
   • Install, manage and maintain servers and workstations, both remotely and on-site.
   • Develop Perl scripts to automate measurements.
   • Generate synthesis reports and automate simulation using Perl scripts.

   More hardware engineer duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your hardware engineer job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A hardware engineer can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, hardware engineers' average salary in tennessee is 58% less than in washington.
   • Seniority. Entry-level hardware engineers 46% less than senior-level hardware engineers.
   • Certifications. A hardware engineer with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a hardware engineer's salary.

   Average hardware engineer salary

   $104,912yearly

   $50.44 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level hardware engineer salary

   $77,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 6, 2025

   Average hardware engineer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Washington	$138,346	$67
   2	California	$135,753	$65
   3	Massachusetts	$102,019	$49
   4	Oregon	$95,580	$46
   5	Arizona	$91,513	$44
   6	Maryland	$91,314	$44
   7	Texas	$91,187	$44
   8	New York	$91,063	$44
   9	Pennsylvania	$90,907	$44
   10	Illinois	$84,190	$40
   11	Colorado	$82,917	$40
   12	Minnesota	$82,693	$40
   13	North Carolina	$81,933	$39
   14	Indiana	$74,088	$36
   15	Ohio	$73,622	$35
   16	Michigan	$71,236	$34

   Average hardware engineer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Meta	$153,814	$73.95	153
   2	Apple	$144,233	$69.34	280
   3	Twitter	$143,204	$68.85	3
   4	Google	$139,374	$67.01	107
   5	Cloudflare	$138,477	$66.58	2
   6	DoorDash	$137,542	$66.13	3
   7	Waymo	$137,030	$65.88	11
   8	Fungible	$136,943	$65.84
   9	Microsoft	$136,000	$65.38	64
   10	Palo Alto Networks	$135,288	$65.04	2
   11	PayPal	$135,138	$64.97	2
   12	Lyft	$135,019	$64.91
   13	Zoox	$132,323	$63.62	11
   14	Clustrix	$132,079	$63.50
   15	eBay	$132,045	$63.48	7
   16	Cruise Automation	$131,855	$63.39
   17	Pure Storage	$128,458	$61.76	8
   18	Brocade Services Corporation	$127,839	$61.46
   19	Argo AI	$126,766	$60.95
   20	Uber Technologies	$125,947	$60.55

4. Writing a hardware engineer job description

   A job description for a hardware engineer role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a hardware engineer job description:

   Hardware engineer job description example

   The primary responsibility of the Hardware Engineer is to connect, secure, test, and maintain hardware devices in a large and complex studio gaming infrastructure.
   
   All duties are to be performed in accordance with departmental and Las Vegas Sands Corp.'s policies, practices, and procedures. All Las Vegas Sands Corp. Team Members are expected to conduct and carry themselves in a professional manner at all times. Team Members are required to observe the Company's standards, work requirements and rules of conduct.
   Essential Duties & Responsibilities
   Research hardware devices that best fit gaming needs and propose solutions. Partner with information technology to design appropriate infrastructure. Connect and maintain hardware in the gaming environment. Work with development and security teams to build and maintain a secure environment. Work in a large collaborative team to build an infrastructure that supports a best-in-class gaming product. Write microservices to gather and monitor hardware data. Perform job duties in a safe manner. Attend work as scheduled on a consistent and regular basis. Perform other related duties as assigned.
   
   Minimum Qualifications
   Experience building and maintaining complex hardware infrastructure, preferably in the gaming or live studio industries. Strong network communication skills. Understanding of single board Linux computers. Experience with microcontroller control of lights and motors in a studio environment preferred. Experience with 3D printing and designing printed circuit boards preferred. At least 21 years of age. Proof of authorization to work in the United States. High school diploma or equivalent or equivalent work experience Must be able to obtain and maintain any certification or license, as required by law or policy. Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both in spoken and written form.
   
   Physical Requirements
   
   Must be able to:
   Physically access assigned workspace areas with or without reasonable accommodation. Work remotely as necessary Work indoors and be exposed to various environmental factors such as, but not limited to, CRT, noise, and dust. Utilize laptop and standard keyboard to perform essential functions of the job.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find hardware engineers for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your hardware engineer job on Zippia to find and recruit hardware engineer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting hardware engineers requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new hardware engineer

   Once you've decided on a perfect hardware engineer candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a hardware engineer?