How to hire a lead hardware engineer

How to hire a lead hardware engineer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step lead 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 lead hardware engineer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new lead hardware engineer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a lead hardware engineer do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a lead hardware engineer, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   A lead hardware engineer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, lead 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 presents lead hardware engineer salaries for various positions.

   Type of Lead Hardware Engineer	Description	Hourly rate
   Lead 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.	$42-78
   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
   Contracting Engineer	A contracting engineer specializes in overseeing engineering projects, focusing on the legalities of contracts between clients and engineers to ensure fairness in all parties involved. Most of their duties are administrative, such as gathering and analyzing data, conducting research and analyses, setting budgets and guidelines, drafting commercial tenders and other paperwork, maintaining records, and executing contracts... Show more	$41-83

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • RF
   • System Design
   • FPGA
   • Analog
   • Product Development
   • PCB
   • HW
   • C++
   • Power Electronics
   • Python
   • Hardware Development
   • Component Selection
   • CAD
   • Prototyping

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Generate synthesis reports and automate simulation using Perl scripts.
   • Create shell scripts to do batch testing and debug FPGA design.
   • Participate in digital signal processing (FPGA) hardware design and integration.
   • Develop test procedures and methodologies to test bases station and handheld RF hardware.
   • Debug Linux systems and load applications into Linux file systems using command line.
   • Specify and design Ethernet access module which interface to atm-base OC-3 access product.

   More lead hardware engineer duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your lead hardware engineer job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A lead hardware engineer salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for a lead hardware engineer in Michigan may be lower than in Washington, and an entry-level lead hardware engineer usually earns less than a senior-level lead hardware engineer. Additionally, a lead hardware engineer with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average lead hardware engineer salary

   $121,252yearly

   $58.29 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level lead hardware engineer salary

   $89,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 21, 2026

   Average lead hardware engineer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Washington	$168,796	$81
   2	California	$165,378	$80
   3	New York	$130,741	$63
   4	Massachusetts	$129,889	$62
   5	Texas	$119,375	$57
   6	Pennsylvania	$113,775	$55
   7	Virginia	$113,066	$54
   8	Arizona	$105,680	$51
   9	Maryland	$105,547	$51
   10	Alabama	$100,905	$49
   11	North Carolina	$96,715	$47
   12	Minnesota	$96,374	$46
   13	District of Columbia	$96,063	$46
   14	New Hampshire	$96,039	$46
   15	Florida	$89,032	$43
   16	Michigan	$87,795	$42
   17	Indiana	$84,110	$40

   Average lead hardware engineer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Meta	$175,646	$84.45	166
   2	Google	$158,698	$76.30	54
   3	Cloudflare	$155,370	$74.70	1
   4	Microsoft	$155,190	$74.61	132
   5	Apple	$152,676	$73.40	264
   6	Netgear	$145,177	$69.80
   7	CyberCoders	$138,293	$66.49
   8	Lucid Motors	$136,214	$65.49	11
   9	Cisco	$134,955	$64.88	77
   10	Strategic Employment Partners	$133,215	$64.05	5
   11	Honeywell	$132,920	$63.90	63
   12	Hyperloop Transportation Technologies	$132,206	$63.56
   13	FreshAir Sensor	$131,701	$63.32
   14	Morphlab	$131,701	$63.32
   15	Verkada	$131,701	$63.32	4
   16	Turntide Technologies	$131,699	$63.32
   17	Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories	$131,559	$63.25	72
   18	Enertiv	$131,429	$63.19
   19	Business Impact Group	$129,948	$62.48	1
   20	Hitachi U.S.A.	$128,739	$61.89	13

4. Writing a lead hardware engineer job description

   A job description for a lead 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 lead hardware engineer job description:

   Lead hardware engineer job description example

   Leading the future in luxury electric and mobility
   At Lucid, we set out to introduce the most captivating, luxury electric vehicles that elevate the human experience and transcend the perceived limitations of space, performance, and intelligence. Vehicles that are intuitive, liberating, and designed for the future of mobility.
   
   We plan to lead in this new era of luxury electric by returning to the fundamentals of great design - where every decision we make is in service of the individual and environment. Because when you are no longer bound by convention, you are free to define your own experience.
   
   Come work alongside some of the most accomplished minds in the industry. Beyond providing competitive salaries, we're providing a community for innovators who want to make an immediate and significant impact. If you are driven to create a better, more sustainable future, then this is the right place for you.
   
   We are currently seeking a Senior/Lead Audio Engineer. This position requires an experienced professional with a solid background in Audio, Acoustics and Electronics industry; proven record in premium audio system development to be applied to future EV environment. [Office1]Our ideal candidate exhibits a can-do attitude and approaches his or her work with vigor and determination. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate excellence in their respective fields, to possess the ability to learn quickly and to strive for perfection within a fast-paced environment
   The Role:Define and develop advance in-car audio system for Lucid vehicle to ensure a high bar in audio quality and sound experience.Responsible for audio electronic modules specification & development. eg. Microphones, acoustic sensors, amplifiers & speakers. Setup audio lab and define performance and testing criteria.Tune and optimize acoustic performances and advance audio features in vehicle
   Qualifications:Expertise in loudspeaker system design/tuning, power amplifier specification and design, audio DSP, microphone array for voice pickup, acoustic simulation/measurement and analysis. Experience in audio or acoustic measurement instruments and equipment - free field microphones, binaural manikins, mouth simulators, audio precision etc.Experience designing circuits using OrCAD & Allegro that meet international compliance and safety regulations Understanding of various microphone and speaker technologies.Preferred Qualifications:Experience in binaural/3D audio, in-vehicle multi-zone audio.Familiar with sensors and transducers technologies and their application in automotive Understand ANC and ARNC technologies and application in voice and speech application Automotive experience BS or MS in Electrical Engineering
   LMMP
   
   At Lucid, we don't just welcome diversity - we celebrate it! Lucid Motors is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, marital status, and any other characteristic protected under applicable State or Federal laws and regulations.
   
   Notice regarding COVID-19 protocols
   At Lucid, we prioritize the health and wellbeing of our employees, families, and friends above all else. In response to the novel Coronavirus all new Lucid employees, whose job will be based in the United States may or may not be required to provide original documentation confirming status as having received the prescribed inoculation (doses). Vaccination requirements are dependent upon location and position, please refer to the job description for more details.
   
   Individuals in positions requiring vaccinations may seek a medical and/or religious exemption from this requirement and may be granted such an accommodation after submitting a formal request to and the subsequent review and approval thereof by our dedicated Covid-19 Response team.
   
   To all recruitment agencies: Lucid Motors does not accept agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our careers alias or other Lucid Motors employees. Lucid Motors is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

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

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit lead hardware engineers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete 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 lead hardware engineer

   Once you've selected the best lead hardware engineer candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new lead hardware engineer first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

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 lead hardware engineer?