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Chip Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Astera Labs

Chip Lead, Senior Director

San Jose, CA

Drive chip development execution from RTL to GDSII, ensuring architecture, implementation, and ... Anticipate challenges early, drive alignment across all engineering functions, ensuring risks ...

Brahma Consulting Group

Head of AI

Palo Alto, CA

$350K - $500K/yr

You should bring deep expertise in ML for chip design, as well as leadership experience in high-performance engineering teams. Responsibilities * Contribute to building the ML roadmap and research ...

Astera Labs

Chip Lead, Senior Director

San Jose, CA · On-site

Drive chip development execution from RTL to GDSII, ensuring architecture, implementation, and ... Anticipate challenges early, drive alignment across all engineering functions, ensuring risks ...

Nvidia

Manager, Chip Software

Santa Clara, CA

NVIDIA is seeking an experienced Chip Software Project management leader to help us define, build ... Bachelors or master's degree in Computer Science/ Electrical / Electronic engineering or related ...

New

Etched

Chip Simulation Software Intern

San Jose, CA · On-site

Backed by hundreds of millions from top-tier investors and staffed by leading engineers, Etched is redefining the infrastructure layer for the fastest growing industry in history. The roles Our chip ...

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Showing results 41-60

All JobsChip Engineer JobsChip Engineer Jobs in California

Chip Engineer information

See California salary details

$19.6K

$85.8K

$175.8K

How much do chip engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for chip engineer in California is $85,751.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $38,679.00 and $121,914.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a chip engineer?

Chip engineers, also known as semiconductor or integrated circuit (IC) engineers, design, develop, and test microchips that power electronic devices such as computers, smartphones, and automotive systems. They work with complex circuitry, ensuring that chips meet performance, size, and energy efficiency requirements. Chip engineers collaborate with other specialists in areas like software, hardware, and manufacturing to bring advanced semiconductor products from concept to production.

How much do chip engineers make in the US?

Chip engineers in the US typically earn a median annual salary of around $110,000, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $80,000 and experienced engineers earning over $150,000. Salaries vary based on experience, location, and specific skills such as VHDL or FPGA design.

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

To thrive as a Chip Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering, semiconductor physics, and integrated circuit (IC) design, usually supported by a relevant engineering degree. Proficiency with tools like CAD software (e.g., Cadence, Synopsys), HDL languages (such as Verilog or VHDL), and familiarity with industry standards or certifications are critical. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective teamwork make someone excel in this role. These skills and qualities are essential for designing reliable, high-performance chips that meet rigorous technical requirements and tight project deadlines.

What is the difference between Chip Engineer vs Hardware Design Engineer?

AspectChip EngineerHardware Design Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related fieldsBachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related fields
Work EnvironmentDesign labs, fabrication facilities, simulation softwareDesign labs, schematic tools, testing environments
Industry UsageSemiconductor companies, electronics firms, tech companiesElectronics manufacturers, consumer device companies, aerospace
Common Search/ComparisonYesYes

Chip Engineers focus on designing and developing integrated circuits and chips, often working on the entire chip architecture. Hardware Design Engineers concentrate on creating detailed schematics and layouts for electronic hardware components, including circuit boards and systems. While both roles require similar educational backgrounds and work environments, Chip Engineers typically work more on the semiconductor level, whereas Hardware Design Engineers focus on the physical hardware implementation.

What are some typical challenges a chip engineer faces when working on new semiconductor designs?

Chip Engineers often encounter challenges such as balancing power consumption, performance, and area (PPA) during the design process. Meeting aggressive timelines while ensuring design verification and manufacturability can also be demanding. Additionally, collaborating closely with cross-functional teams like software, hardware, and testing engineers is crucial for resolving integration issues and optimizing chip functionality. Staying updated with rapid advancements in fabrication technologies and EDA tools is essential for success in this fast-paced environment.

What are popular job titles related to Chip Engineer jobs in California?

For Chip Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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

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

What cities in California are hiring for Chip Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Chip Engineer job openings:

Chip Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Chip Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $85,751 per year, or $41.2 per hour.

Chip Firmware Validation Engineer

Lightmatter

Mountain View, CA

Full-time

Re-posted 18 days ago

Job description

We are hiring a Chip Firmware Validation Engineer to help us build the next generation of photonic AI processors and interconnects.

In this role, you will be responsible for developing and validating the device software and firmware stack for Photonic Compute and Photonic Interconnect products. You will collaborate with other software and hardware systems teams to develop firmware, conduct validation and reliability testing, perform data analysis, and execute further software stack optimization.

Join a tight-knit team where each individual's contributions directly impact the success of the company and our innovative products. At Lightmatter, you'll have the opportunity to work with people who love to build and who thrive in technically diverse environments where great ideas are valued and prioritized.

Responsibilities

  • Collaborate across a multidisciplinary team including photonics, analog, digital, systems, and network experts to define the control architecture for Lightmatter's photonic interconnect products.
  • Drive the software and firmware validation testing for our photonic products.
  • Debug and troubleshoot embedded systems using tools such as GDB, JTAG, and logic analyzers.
  • Participate in defining product architecture and validation test plans definition to gather requirements and usability criteria.

Qualifications

  • BS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field with 5+ years of experience in ASIC firmware validation.
  • Strong understanding of hardware-software integration.
  • Practical knowledge of communication and control in embedded systems, peripherals, and buses.
  • Experience in embedded software development.
  • Experience developing commercial or enterprise-level software and firmware on Linux.
  • Experience with Git and CMake for building and managing software projects.
  • Hands-on experience with data gathering, analysis, and reporting.
  • Proficiency with Python, C, C++ and MongoDB.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience with Snowflake reporting software
  • Experience with environments such as CMIS and OpenBMC, and familiarity with validation and reliability/FIT(Failure in Time) testing.
  • Familiarity with optical test, measurement and methodologies for characterizing optical components and systems.
  • Experience developing firmware for photonic transceivers or similar systems.

Apply