Electrical and hardware engineers in Israel encounter a fast growing industry and an ever-increasing number of employment opportunities, with a broad range of companies targeting professionals who have hardware development backgrounds and Real Time experience. Work experience that is currently in particular demand includes board design, chip design and FPGA. For analog engineers, there is a more narrow range of opportunities but the jobs that exist tend to be excellent positions with relatively high salaries.
If you are in the planning stages of Aliyah, keep in mind that one to two years of Real Time and hardware development experience will help you find a job in this field once you arrive in Israel. There are many unfilled positions in Verification in the market, so experience in this field would be valuable. In addition, be aware that Israeli companies require job candidates to have academic degrees. A degree from a recognized academic institution is more valuable than a degree from a technical college.
For information about occupation registration and licensing, click here.
As well, the Ministry of Economy, Occupations Registration and Licensing Division has released a comprehensive English handbook containing information about registration and licensing in Israel: Licensing Handbook for Practical Engineers, Architects and Electricians
Job Locations
Electrical and hardware engineering positions are available throughout Israel. New high-tech facilities exist in all of Israel’s central areas including:
- North Tel-Aviv’s Ramat HaChayal
- Jerusalem’s Har Hotzvim and Gan Hatechnologia in Malcha
- Ra’anana’s industrial area
- Herzlia Pituach
- Haifa’s technology park alongside the sea
- Karmiel up north.
However, most job opportunities are in the greater Tel Aviv area.
Interviewing in Israel
- For a database of questions recently asked by Israeli companies at job interviews, see Job Hunt (Hebrew listing).
- For information about interviews at a range of Israeli companies, see the following link. To view this listing translated into English, click here. The questions are organized by company name.
For general information about interviewing in Israel, see Tips for Successful Interviewing in Israel.
Online Resources
For more information on the registration and licensing process, click here.
- The majority of jobs in the hi tech sector go through word of mouth and social media. LinkedIn is a great resource. There are also many engineering related groups, and blogs, that post daily updates of all the jobs posted in LinkedIn.
- LinkedIn, the Israel Engineers Group.
- Also, this group is dedicated to available positions that haven’t yet been submitted to human resources companies.
- In addition, there are numerous Web sites devoted to computer and hi-tech employment in Israel. www.jobhunt.co.il is a career development agency that assists engineers in their search for high level opportunities in Israel. Jobhunt charges a fee for their services.
- www.startupjobs.co.il lists current job openings in the Israeli hi-tech market
Salary Surveys
For additional resources, see Online Resources.
Interview
Interview with Electrical Engineer Baruch Bergenfeld
What kind of engineer are you?
ASIC Design and Verification Engineer.
Can you describe what that type of engineer does for someone who is unfamiliar with the field?
I design custom chips in high level description languages such as Verilog. In addition, I (functionally) verify chip designs in simulation using high level verification languages such as Specman E.
What education is needed for your job, both in Israel and in the U.S.?
You need a BSEE (Bachelor of Science Electrical Engineering) both in the U.S. and Israel.
For your profession, what work settings are available in Israel?
Large semiconductor companies such as Intel and IBM. Also Israeli startups.
What licensure is required?
None.
Do I need to know Hebrew?
No.
What experience do I need?
Experience in ASIC design and Verification.
What is the market like?
There are many unfilled positions, especially in verification.
Are there any technical differences between Israel and the U.S.?
If you want to advance in Management, in Israel, Hebrew is essential.
What is the average salary range?
15,000 to 35,000 NIS per month (gross) on average, depending upon experience. Usually, employers provide a car as part of the package.
What are the best routes for continuing education?
Training courses for new tools are offered by Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) tool companies. In addition, Master’s programs are offered at Ben Gurion University, Tel Aviv University and the Technion.
Do I need to join any professional organizations?
No, nothing is required, but it is good to be a member of IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers).
Is there anything else you would like to share with new Olim?
American ingenuity and innovation is respected in Israel. There should be no barrier to succeeding here.
The majority of the jobs are in the center of the country. Outside of the Tel Aviv area, you will find jobs in Haifa, Jerusalem and Beer Sheva – in that order.
A special thank you to Baruch Bergenfeld, General Manager of Intrinsix Israel Ltd. (an electronic design services company), for participating in this interview. Baruch is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University with a Bachelor of Science in Elecrical Engineering. He has over 21 years of experience in electronics design, mostly in the field of wireline computer networking. Baruch made Aliyah with his family in February 2005 and currently resides in Nof Ayalon. You can contact Baruch with questions about employment in Israel at [email protected].
Electrical and hardware engineering positions are available throughout Israel. New high-tech facilities exist in all of Israel’s central areas including:
- North Tel-Aviv’s Ramat HaChayal
- Jerusalem’s Har Hotzvim and Gan Hatechnologia in Malcha
- Ra’anana’s industrial area
- Herzlia Pituach
- Haifa’s technology park alongside the sea
- Karmiel up north.
However, most job opportunities are in the greater Tel Aviv area.
- For a database of questions recently asked by Israeli companies at job interviews, see Job Hunt (Hebrew listing).
- For information about interviews at a range of Israeli companies, see the following link. To view this listing translated into English, click here. The questions are organized by company name.
For general information about interviewing in Israel, see Tips for Successful Interviewing in Israel.
For more information on the registration and licensing process, click here.
- The majority of jobs in the hi tech sector go through word of mouth and social media. LinkedIn is a great resource. There are also many engineering related groups, and blogs, that post daily updates of all the jobs posted in LinkedIn.
- LinkedIn, the Israel Engineers Group.
- Also, this group is dedicated to available positions that haven’t yet been submitted to human resources companies.
- In addition, there are numerous Web sites devoted to computer and hi-tech employment in Israel. www.jobhunt.co.il is a career development agency that assists engineers in their search for high level opportunities in Israel. Jobhunt charges a fee for their services.
- www.startupjobs.co.il lists current job openings in the Israeli hi-tech market
Salary Surveys
For additional resources, see Online Resources.
Interview with Electrical Engineer Baruch Bergenfeld
What kind of engineer are you?
ASIC Design and Verification Engineer.
Can you describe what that type of engineer does for someone who is unfamiliar with the field?
I design custom chips in high level description languages such as Verilog. In addition, I (functionally) verify chip designs in simulation using high level verification languages such as Specman E.
What education is needed for your job, both in Israel and in the U.S.?
You need a BSEE (Bachelor of Science Electrical Engineering) both in the U.S. and Israel.
For your profession, what work settings are available in Israel?
Large semiconductor companies such as Intel and IBM. Also Israeli startups.
What licensure is required?
None.
Do I need to know Hebrew?
No.
What experience do I need?
Experience in ASIC design and Verification.
What is the market like?
There are many unfilled positions, especially in verification.
Are there any technical differences between Israel and the U.S.?
If you want to advance in Management, in Israel, Hebrew is essential.
What is the average salary range?
15,000 to 35,000 NIS per month (gross) on average, depending upon experience. Usually, employers provide a car as part of the package.
What are the best routes for continuing education?
Training courses for new tools are offered by Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) tool companies. In addition, Master’s programs are offered at Ben Gurion University, Tel Aviv University and the Technion.
Do I need to join any professional organizations?
No, nothing is required, but it is good to be a member of IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers).
Is there anything else you would like to share with new Olim?
American ingenuity and innovation is respected in Israel. There should be no barrier to succeeding here.
The majority of the jobs are in the center of the country. Outside of the Tel Aviv area, you will find jobs in Haifa, Jerusalem and Beer Sheva – in that order.
A special thank you to Baruch Bergenfeld, General Manager of Intrinsix Israel Ltd. (an electronic design services company), for participating in this interview. Baruch is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University with a Bachelor of Science in Elecrical Engineering. He has over 21 years of experience in electronics design, mostly in the field of wireline computer networking. Baruch made Aliyah with his family in February 2005 and currently resides in Nof Ayalon. You can contact Baruch with questions about employment in Israel at [email protected].
A special thank you to Ron Ozery for his professional contributions to this article. You can reach Ron at [email protected] or see www.jobhunt.co.il.
* Last updated on May 30, 2023 *
