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Chip Design Engineer Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Data Engineer

Chicago, IL

$100K - $115K/yr

... chip brands and marquee properties. Our success is rooted in our people, our high character ... Contribute to relational data design--tables and relationships, primary/foreign keys, and ...

Data Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$100K - $115K/yr

... chip brands and marquee properties. Our success is rooted in our people, our high character ... Contribute to relational data design-tables and relationships, primary/foreign keys, and ...

Showing results 41-60

Chip Design Engineer information

See Illinois salary details

$39.2K

$85.4K

$153.6K

How much do chip design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for chip design engineer in Illinois is $85,419.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $65,900.00 and $95,400.00 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 Illinois look for?

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

Infographic showing various Chip Design Engineer job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 87% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $85,419 per year, or $41.1 per hour.

Sr. Principal Software Engineer

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Rolling Meadows, IL • On-site

$126K - $174K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, PTO

Re-posted 3 days ago


Northrop Grumman rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 363 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

88th of 540 rated manufacturers


Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes
CLEARANCE TYPE: SAP
TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescription
At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.
Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is a trusted provider of mission-enabling solutions for global security. Our Engineering and Sciences (E&S) organization pushes the boundaries of innovation, redefines engineering capabilities, and drives advances in various sciences. Our team is chartered with providing the skills, innovative technologies to develop, design, produce and sustain optimized product lines across the sector while providing a decisive advantage to the warfighter. Come be a part of our mission!
As a Sr. Principal Software Engineer at Northrop Grumman you will have a challenging and rewarding opportunity to be a part of our Enterprise-wide digital transformation. Through the use of Model-based Engineering, DevSecOps and Agile practices we continue to evolve how we deliver critical national defense products and capabilities for the warfighter. Our success is grounded in our ability to embrace change, move quickly and continuously drive innovation. The successful candidate will be collaborative, open, transparent, and team-oriented with a focus on team empowerment & shared responsibility, flexibility, continuous learning, and a culture of automation.
Northrop Grumman is looking to add to our talented team of Embedded Software Engineers. Our engineers are self-starters who are part of a team of software professionals developing world-class software to meet our customer's high expectations. The Embedded Software Engineer designs, develops, operates, and maintains software and firmware components and computing systems software to be applied to and integrated with engineering, scientific and manufacturing requirements. The individual shall apply the appropriate standards, processes, procedures, and tools throughout the system development life cycle to support the generation of engineering applications and products within the Targeting Business Unit. This includes interfacing with customers, suppliers, application users and other technical and support personnel. The ideal individual will have experience including the full software development life cycle, which includes requirements, design, coding, testing, and integration.
#MSRMTA
This position will be full-time, on-site at our Rolling Meadows, IL. location.
This position is contingent upon Funding/Contract award, special access program and acquiring and maintaining the necessary US Government security clearance per customers' requirements prior to start.
Basic Qualifications for Sr. Principal Embedded Software Engineer:
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or similar engineering discipline with a minimum of 8+ years of engineering experience, or 6+ years with a Master's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering or similar engineering discipline or in lieu of degree, an additional 4 years of experience is required.
  • Object Oriented Programming in C++
  • Familiarity with Software architecture (design patterns, objected oriented design)
  • Familiarity with scripting languages (Python, Bash, Batch, etc)
  • Experience Developing Embedded Software running Linux or VxWorks Operating Systems
  • Familiarity with software development methodologies and frameworks such as Waterfall Methodology and/or Agile
  • Familiarity with various version control systems (Git, Gitlabs, Github, Bitbucket, ClearCase. etc) and Agile software planning tools (Rally, Jira, etc)
  • US Citizenship
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a minimum of a Secret clearance with additional customer specified clearance prior to start.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience with Object Oriented Programming in C++11
  • Knowledge with scripting languages (Python, Bash, Batch, etc)
  • Experience with Software development methodologies and frameworks such as Waterfall Methodology and/or Agile.
  • Experience testing, debugging, and integrating Embedded Software on target hardware.
  • Experience with complex systems of systems that utilize Parallel Processing, Multi-Threading, Distributed Processing, Multi-Core, System-on-Chip, and Secure Processing.
  • Active Secret Clearance
  • Differentiating characteristics include demonstrated leadership and teamwork capability, interpersonal communication skills and activities.

Primary Level Salary Range: $131,100.00 - $196,700.00
The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.
Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.
The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.
Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

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About Northrop Grumman

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible.

Industry

Space research administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Falls Church, VA, US

Year founded

1939