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Chip Design Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

We are looking for Digital Design Engineer for design and development of next generation image ... Actively participate in chip level architecture definition, including analog interface/control ...

Sr. Digital Design Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$120K - $150K/yr

Description We are looking for Digital Design Engineer for design and development of next ... Actively participate in chip level architecture definition, including analog interface/control ...

SoC Design Engineer Job Duties: Responsible for digital design and verification of image sensor and ... Perform full-chip integration, verification, and system-level validation following standard ASIC ...

Sr. Digital Design Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$120K - $150K/yr

We are looking for Digital Design Engineer for design and development of next generation image ... Actively participate in chip level architecture definition, including analog interface/control ...

SoC Design Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$156K - $160K/yr

Description Job Title: SoC Design Engineer Job Duties: Responsible for digital design and ... Perform full-chip integration, verification, and system-level validation following standard ASIC ...

Physical Design Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$160K - $164K/yr

We have an opportunity for a forward-thinking and unusually hardworking Physical Design Engineer ... Generate block/chip level static timing constraints. Build full chip floor-plan including pin ...

SoC Design Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$156K - $160K/yr

SoC Design Engineer Job Duties: Responsible for digital design and verification of image sensor and ... Perform full-chip integration, verification, and system-level validation following standard ASIC ...

SoC Design Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$156K - $160K/yr

SoC Design Engineer Job Duties: Responsible for digital design and verification of image sensor and ... Perform full-chip integration, verification, and system-level validation following standard ASIC ...

... chip bring-up, validation, and production maturity. Job requirement * Master's degree in Electrical ... as an ASIC Design Engineer or Verification Design Engineer. * Proficient with Verilog ...

Analog Design Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$125K - $135K/yr

Work on whole chip floorplan design and pad frame; Work on analog and mixed signal circuits layout design by Cadence Virtuoso, such as column_array; Collaborate with layout engineer on whole chip ...

Showing results 41-60

Chip Design Engineer information

See California salary details

$40K

$87K

$156.4K

How much do chip design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for chip design engineer in California is $86,995.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $67,100.00 and $97,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the salary of chip design engineer?

The average salary of a chip design engineer varies by experience and location but typically ranges from $80,000 to $150,000 annually. Senior engineers with specialized skills in VLSI design and FPGA development can earn higher salaries, often exceeding $180,000. Certifications and proficiency in tools like Cadence or Synopsys can also influence compensation.

What are some typical projects or daily tasks for a chip design engineer?

As a Chip Design Engineer, your daily tasks often include designing and simulating integrated circuits, reviewing schematics, writing and verifying code in hardware description languages, and collaborating closely with layout engineers and verification teams. You may also participate in design reviews, troubleshoot potential issues, and optimize chip performance to meet specific requirements. Working with cross-functional teams, including software engineers and product managers, is common to ensure the chip integrates seamlessly with end products. This role provides opportunities to see your designs progress from concept to final manufacturing, offering valuable hands-on experience at each stage of development.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a chip design engineer?

To thrive as a Chip Design Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering, digital and analog circuit design, and experience with VLSI principles, usually backed by a relevant degree. Proficiency with industry-standard tools like Cadence, Synopsys, and experience in HDL languages (such as Verilog or VHDL) is highly valued, as are certifications like Certified IC Designer. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective teamwork and communication skills help set you apart. These competencies are critical for developing reliable, high-performance chips in a collaborative and deadline-driven environment.

What is a chip design engineer?

A Chip Design Engineer is responsible for designing and developing integrated circuits (ICs) used in electronic devices. They work with hardware description languages (HDLs) like Verilog or VHDL to create digital or analog circuit designs. Their role includes logic design, verification, simulation, and testing to ensure performance and power efficiency. They collaborate with teams across hardware, software, and manufacturing to bring chips from concept to production. Chip Design Engineers are essential in industries like consumer electronics, automotive, and telecommunications.

What does a chip design engineer do?

A chip design engineer develops and designs integrated circuits and microchips used in electronic devices. They use electronic design automation (EDA) tools, create schematics, simulate circuit performance, and collaborate with manufacturing teams to ensure the chips meet specifications and quality standards.

How much do chip design engineers make?

Chip design engineers typically earn a median annual salary ranging from $90,000 to $130,000, depending on experience, location, and industry. Senior engineers with specialized skills in VLSI design or FPGA development can earn higher salaries, often exceeding $150,000 annually.

What job categories do people searching Chip Design Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Chip Design Engineer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Chip Design Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Chip Design Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Chip Design Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 85% Full Time, 8% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $86,995 per year, or $41.8 per hour.

Sr. Digital Design Engineer

OMNIVISION

Irvine, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 2 days ago


Job description

We are looking for Digital Design Engineer for design and development of next generation image sensors and related technologies. The candidate should have strong fundamentals in digital circuit design and ability to  independently design blocks with given specifications. The candidate should have the capability to lead, design and develop circuits, as well as experience in debugging/verifying design issues.
As Digital Circuit Design Engineer, you will:
  

  • Primarily responsible for sensor timing control design and Image Signal Processing (ISP) system level integration.
  • Actively participate in chip level architecture definition, including analog interface/control, image data processing, power, performance, and area trade-offs.
  • Integrate and validate ISP data pipes according to PRD/design specification & system architecture of SoC CIS products
  • Work with CIS project lead, sensor digital & analog engineers for system integration & validation
  • Work with back-end team closely in floor planning, timing closure, and DFT.
  • Full-chip integration and verification.
  • Chip bring-up, validation, and debugging
  • Work with algorithm and application engineers for image tuning and qualification
  • Silicon validation, debugging & tuning

 Qualifications:  

  • In depth hands-on experience in ASIC design flow: RTL coding, simulation, synthesis, static timing analysis, formality verification, DFT.
  • Extensive knowledge of all aspects of chip development: from design specification, architecture definition, low-power design, tape-out, chip validation, chip debugging, mass production, to customer support.
  • Be familiar with image sensor performance metrics, image signal processing (ISP), image sensor usage and integration into camera systems.
  • Experience/knowledge in image sensor and camera system is a plus
  • Minimum of 4 plus years of relevant experience.
  • MSEE or equivalent

Annual base salary for this role in California, US is expected to be between $120,600 - $150,000. Actual pay will be determined on a number of factors such as relevant skills and experience, and the pay of employees in the similar role.
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