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Chip Design Jobs in Cary, NC (NOW HIRING)

Are you looking to expand your chip design career and challenge yourself in a technical and multi-disciplinary endeavor? If so, this is an exciting position in the world class Apple mixed-signal ...

Are you looking to expand your chip design career and challenge yourself in a technical and multi-disciplinary endeavor? If so, this is an exciting position in the world class Apple mixed-signal ...

Are you looking to expand your chip design career and challenge yourself in a technical and multi-disciplinary endeavor? If so, this is an exciting position in the world class Apple mixed-signal ...

Are you looking to expand your chip design career and challenge yourself in a technical and multi-disciplinary endeavor? If so, this is an exciting position in the world class Apple mixed-signal ...

Senior VLSI CAD Software Engineer

Durham, NC

$118K - $156K/yr

Design, development, review, test, and support of high-capacity and high-performance chip design and visualization tools, with possible tasks ranging from modeling to algorithms * Writing challenging ...

SPE Analog Engineering

Morrisville, NC · Hybrid

$169K - $254K/yr

Direct chip design experience in DDR interface design is a strong plus * Experience with Verilog coding is a strong plus * Must be a team player with good written and verbal communication skills ...

EDA Workflow Optimization Engineer

Durham, NC · Hybrid

$107K - $127K/yr

You will understand workflows covering the full chip design process from inception through study, architecture, design, verification, emulation, layout, packaging, power-on and production. You will ...

Senior Applied AI Engineer

Durham, NC

$101K - $138K/yr

As part of Nvidia's applied AI team for chip design, you will have the opportunity to tap into the unlimited potential of AI and change the landscape of the chip industry. Our team operates at the ...

Staff Layout Design Engineer

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$144K - $187K/yr

Exceptional layout planning and integration skills from small block to full chip Skills and Qualifications * Associates Degree in Electronic/IC layout CAD specialization or related program and 10+ ...

Exceptional layout planning and integration skills from small block to full chip Skills and Qualifications * Associates Degree in Electronic/IC layout CAD specialization or related program and 10+ ...

Lead Design Engineer

Cary, NC · On-site

$104K - $137K/yr

... Chip (SOC). This role is to implement, verify, timing closure to tape out Palladium and Protium ... Interface with Front End RTL design teams and Back End Verification teams Position Requirements ...

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Chip Design information

See Cary, NC salary details

$38.9K

$106.1K

$186.7K

How much do chip design jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for chip design in Cary, NC is $106,066.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $77,400.00 and $133,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a chip design?

A Chip Design job involves creating and developing semiconductor circuits used in electronic devices. Engineers in this field work on designing, verifying, and testing integrated circuits (ICs) to ensure performance, power efficiency, and reliability. They use specialized software tools for designing hardware and optimizing functionality. Chip designers collaborate with cross-functional teams to bring new processors, memory chips, or custom ASICs from concept to production. This role is crucial in industries like computing, telecommunications, and consumer electronics.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in chip design?

To excel in Chip Design, a strong background in electrical engineering, digital and analog circuit design, and semiconductor physics is typically required, often supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with electronic design automation (EDA) tools like Cadence, Synopsys, and Mentor Graphics, as well as proficiency in hardware description languages (HDLs) such as Verilog or VHDL, are standard prerequisites. Outstanding problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to collaborate closely with cross-functional teams set candidates apart. These competencies are essential for designing efficient, reliable integrated circuits and meeting the evolving needs of the semiconductor industry.

What are the typical career progression opportunities in chip design?

Chip Design offers a clear pathway for career growth, starting from entry-level positions such as Design Engineer or Verification Engineer and progressing to roles like Lead Designer, Project Manager, or Technical Architect. As you gain experience and demonstrate expertise, opportunities often open up in specialized areas such as physical design, timing analysis, or system architecture. Many professionals also advance to leadership or managerial positions, overseeing teams or entire design projects. Additionally, working in such a fast-evolving field keeps you engaged with the latest technologies and can provide options to transition into adjacent areas like product management or application engineering.

How much do chip designers make?

Chip designers, also known as integrated circuit designers, typically earn between $80,000 and $150,000 annually, depending on experience, education, and location. Senior roles or those with specialized skills in hardware description languages and CAD tools can earn higher salaries, often exceeding $200,000.

How to get a job in chip design?

To get a job in chip design, candidates typically need a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a related field, along with strong skills in digital and analog circuit design, hardware description languages like VHDL or Verilog, and familiarity with CAD tools. Gaining experience through internships, projects, or research can improve employability, and advanced roles may require a master's or Ph.D. in a relevant area. Certifications in specific design tools or methodologies can also enhance prospects.

Is chip design a good career?

Chip design is a specialized field within electrical engineering focused on developing integrated circuits and microprocessors. It offers high demand, competitive salaries, and opportunities for innovation, often requiring skills in hardware description languages and familiarity with CAD tools. Career growth depends on technical expertise and industry experience.

What are popular job titles related to Chip Design jobs in Cary, NC?

For Chip Design jobs in Cary, NC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities near Cary, NC are hiring for Chip Design jobs?

Cities near Cary, NC with the most Chip Design job openings:

Infographic showing various Chip Design job openings in Cary, NC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, and 11% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $106,066 per year, or $51 per hour.

Senior C++ Software Engineer - Chip Design Tools

Durham, NC


Nvidia
Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing • 10K+ employees

9.6

Company rating: 9.6 out of 10

Based on 18 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7th of 246 rated software companies

Great coworkers

People enjoy working here

Good employer


Full-time

Re-posted 23 days ago


Job description

NVIDIA has continuously reinvented itself over two decades. Our invention of the GPU in 1999 fueled the growth of the PC gaming market, redefined modern computer graphics, and revolutionized parallel computing. More recently, GPU deep learning ignited modern AI - the next era of computing. NVIDIA is a "learning machine" that constantly evolves by adapting to new challenges that are hard to tackle, that only we can pursue, and that matter to the world. This is our life's work, to amplify human creativity and intelligence. Make the choice to join us today!

Our team is responsible for development and support of infrastructure tools used by design engineers for build and verification of architectural, rtl, and gate level designs. As a software engineer, you will craft highly efficient software to automate and facilitate chip design and verification processes.

What You'll be Doing:

  • Work as a team to build reliable, scalable and high performance software that are easy to use by hundreds of engineers worldwide.

  • Develop software tools in C++/Golang to analyze and construct chip designs described in C++, Verilog or domain-specific languages (DSLs).

  • Research and develop software solutions to allow greater efficiency in architecture, hardware and software teams.

  • Optimize the daily workflows of the world's top chip modelers and designers.

What We Need to See:

  • BS (or equivalent experience) and 5+ years of software development experience., MS (or PHD) preferred.

  • Experienced with C++ or Golang, Unix/Linux.

  • Solid understanding of algorithms, computer architecture and computer science theory

  • Experienced with VLSI frontend design and verification

  • Flexibility/adaptability for working in a global and dynamic environment with different frameworks and requirements

Ways to stand out from the crowd:

  • Good architecture and RTL design knowledge

  • Strong expertise in modern C++, compiler, build systems, and database.

  • Experienced with static and dynamic code analysis tools

Your base salary will be determined based on your location, experience, and the pay of employees in similar positions. The base salary range is 152,000 USD - 241,500 USD for Level 3, and 184,000 USD - 287,500 USD for Level 4.

You will also be eligible for equity and benefits.

Applications for this job will be accepted at least until July 11, 2026.

This posting is for an existing vacancy.

NVIDIA uses AI tools in its recruiting processes.

NVIDIA is committed to fostering an inclusive work environment and proud to be an equal opportunity employer. As we highly value diversity in our current and future employees, we do not discriminate (including in our hiring and promotion practices) on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Nvidia logo

About Nvidia

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

NVIDIA has been transforming computer graphics, PC gaming, and accelerated computing for more than 25 years. It's a unique legacy of innovation that's fueled by great technology--and amazing people. Today, we're tapping into the unlimited potential of AI to define the next era of computing. An era in which our GPU acts as the brains of computers, robots, and self-driving cars that can understand the world. Doing what's never been done before takes vision, innovation, and the world's best talent.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Santa Clara, CA, US


What Nvidia employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

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