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Circuit Designer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

PsiQuantum

Photonics Circuit Designer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

The ideal candidate will be proficient in photonic device and circuit modeling and electromagnetic simulation packages, as well as the layout of photonics circuits, and have excellent software skills ...

PsiQuantum

Photonics Circuit Designer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

The ideal candidate will be proficient in photonic device and circuit modeling and electromagnetic simulation packages, as well as the layout of photonics circuits, and have excellent software skills ...

PsiQuantum

Photonics Circuit Designer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

The ideal candidate will be proficient in photonic device and circuit modeling and electromagnetic simulation packages, as well as the layout of photonics circuits, and have excellent software skills ...

Apple Inc.

SRAM Circuit Design Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$142.30 - $263.30/hr

Your designs will strongly influence CPU / GPU / SoC / Neural Engine / Camera designs in Apple ... As an SRAM Circuit Designer for the Digital Custom Group, you will perform the following: * Design ...

Superbeo

Analog Layout Design Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

Reviewing and analyzing floorplans and complex circuits with circuit designers * Running complete set of design verification tools available on AMS blocks * Interpreting LVS, DRC and ERC reports to ...

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Circuit Designer information

See California salary details

$10.9K

$211.2K

How much do circuit designer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for circuit designer in California is $210,011.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $209,700.00 and $210,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a circuit designer do?

A circuit designer creates circuit boards for a variety of uses, from power grids to assembly automation. Specific job duties vary, depending on the type of devices, tools, or systems with which you work. As a circuit designer, your responsibilities include following project specifications to develop or improve circuits or circuit boards, troubleshooting the new circuit board, and implementing the new design. You may also run simulation software to test your circuit design to ensure it meets the needs of your client.

What does a circuit designer do?

A Circuit Designer is responsible for creating the layout and schematics of electronic circuits used in devices such as computers, smartphones, and other electronic equipment. They work with both analog and digital circuits, ensuring that the design meets performance, safety, and manufacturing requirements. Circuit Designers use specialized software to simulate and test their circuits before they are built and often collaborate with engineers from other disciplines to develop functional and efficient products.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a circuit designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Circuit Designer, you need a strong background in electrical engineering principles, circuit analysis, and schematic design, typically supported by a relevant degree. Proficiency with CAD tools such as Altium Designer, OrCAD, or Eagle, as well as familiarity with simulation software like SPICE, is essential. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication stand out as valuable soft skills in this field. These skills ensure accurate and innovative circuit designs that meet project requirements and industry standards.

What are some common challenges faced by circuit designers when working on complex projects?

Circuit designers often encounter challenges such as managing signal integrity, ensuring compatibility between different components, and meeting strict power or space constraints. Collaboration with other engineers, such as PCB layout specialists and firmware developers, is essential to address these issues effectively. Additionally, staying up-to-date with rapidly evolving design tools and industry standards is crucial for delivering reliable and efficient circuits. Effective communication and problem-solving skills can help circuit designers overcome these hurdles and succeed in their roles.

What is the difference between Circuit Designer vs PCB Designer?

AspectCircuit DesignerPCB Designer
Primary FocusDesigning electrical circuits and schematicsCreating physical layouts of printed circuit boards
Skills & CertificationsElectrical engineering knowledge, circuit simulation toolsPCB design software, electrical layout skills
Work EnvironmentEngineering labs, design officesDesign studios, manufacturing facilities
Industry UsageElectronics, aerospace, automotiveConsumer electronics, industrial equipment

While both roles involve electronic design, a Circuit Designer focuses on creating and analyzing electrical circuits and schematics, whereas a PCB Designer specializes in translating those circuits into physical printed circuit board layouts. Both roles require electrical engineering knowledge and often collaborate during product development.

How to become a circuit designer?

To become a circuit designer, typically a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, electronics, or a related field is required. Gaining experience with circuit design software such as SPICE or CAD tools, and developing strong skills in electronics and problem-solving, are essential steps. Certifications or specialized training can also enhance job prospects in this field.
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For Circuit Designer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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Circuit Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Circuit Designer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $210,011 per year, or $101 per hour.

Photonic Integrated Circuit Designer

Gardena, CA • On-site

Mesh Optical Technologies
See more jobs at Mesh Optical Technologiesexternal

$160K - $190K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 9 days ago

Job description

PHOTONIC INTEGRATED CIRCUIT DESIGNER
Mesh Optical Technologies was founded on the belief that optical photons will be at the center of advanced technologies in the coming century. Making advanced technology ubiquitous means building at scale, and that's exactly what we're doing at Mesh.
As we develop the next generation of photonic integrated circuits for high-volume optical manufacturing, we are seeking a Photonic Integrated Circuit Designer to architect, simulate, and bring to production the core optical building blocks-modulators, filters, couplers, and more-across silicon photonics, III-V, and other platforms. You will work at the intersection of photonic design, RF engineering, and manufacturing, translating cutting-edge circuit concepts into production-ready components that perform reliably at scale.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Design, analyze, and simulate Photonic Integrated Circuit (PIC) building blocks (e.g., Mach-Zehnder modulators, photodiodes, DWDM filters, waveguides, couplers/splitters, tapers, and switches) on silicon photonics and InGaAs/InP platforms
  • Define requirements and specifications for PICs and their optical/electrical interfaces
  • Design and model package-level optical interfaces, including edge and grating couplers
  • Work with DSP, electro-optics, ASIC, and other engineering teams to define system functions across hardware and software
  • Perform PIC routing and layout
  • Measure and characterize PIC optical and electrical building blocks
  • Develop and automate test solutions for lab validation, quality screening, and manufacturing metrology
  • Partner with manufacturing and test teams on production test development and qualification of PICs
  • Use simulation tools (e.g., Lumerical, Klayout, COMSOL, HFSS) to support design and verification
  • Contribute to RF, analog, and mixed-signal design efforts as needed
  • Interface with suppliers to provide technical feedback and test requirements to develop reliable processes

QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Master's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, optical engineering, or applied physics
  • 2+ years of experience in photonics or electro-optical IC design
  • Hands-on familiarity with optical/RF test equipment (e.g., spectrum analyzers, VNAs, VSGs, high-speed oscilloscopes, BERTs)
  • Willingness to work extended hours and weekends as needed

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:
  • PhD in electrical engineering, computer engineering (electro-optics emphasis), optical engineering, or applied physics
  • Experience with electrical simulation tools (e.g., SPICE)
  • Familiarity with DSP concepts (e.g., FFE, DFE, CTLE) and optical communications metrics (e.g., OSNR, receiver sensitivity, OMA, optical filtering)
  • Strong circuit design and analysis skills across linear and non-linear blocks (e.g., modulator drivers, TIAs, CTLEs, filters, LNAs/PAs)
  • Experience designing wideband circuits for >100 Gb/s SerDes links with bandwidths in the tens of GHz
  • Familiarity with high-speed modulation formats and link protocols (e.g., NRZ, PAM4)
  • Experience designing RF/DC probe-card PCBs
  • Experience characterizing PIC/EIC performance for high-speed optical SerDes systems

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay range:
Photonic Integrated Circuit Designer: $160,000.00 - $190,000.00/per year
Title and base salary are determined on a case by case basis commensurate with experience and merit.
In addition to base salary, compensation for this role includes:
  • Eligibility for long-term incentives including company stock options and discretionary bonuses awarded for exceptional achievements.
  • Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental insurance with significant cost covered by the company for yourself and dependents.
  • Paid parental leave and flexible PTO (3 weeks accrued vacation and 10 company holidays per year).
  • 401(k) retirement plan access.
  • Relocation assistance to sunny Los Angeles.

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