ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Computer Chip Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Atomic Semi

$100 - $125/hr

You don't need to be a chip designer. * Time lived inside deep, serious software, and opinions about it: Blender, Ableton, KiCad, CAD tools, DAWs, game engines. * Distributed or real-time systems ...

Atomic Semi

WI · On-site

$100 - $125/hr

You don't need to be a chip designer. * Time lived inside deep, serious software, and opinions about it: Blender, Ableton, KiCad, CAD tools, DAWs, game engines. * Distributed or real-time systems ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsComputer Chip Designer Jobs

Computer Chip Designer information

See salary details

$10

$41

$100

How much do computer chip designer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for computer chip designer in the United States is $41.30, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.55 and $58.41 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a computer chip designer do?

A Computer Chip Designer is responsible for creating the architecture and layout of microchips used in computers, smartphones, and other electronic devices. They use specialized software to design, simulate, and test integrated circuits to ensure they meet performance, power, and size requirements. The job involves close collaboration with hardware engineers, testing teams, and manufacturers to bring innovative chip designs from concept to production. Computer Chip Designers play a critical role in advancing technology by making devices faster, more efficient, and more capable.

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

To thrive as a Computer Chip Designer, you need a strong background in electrical engineering, circuit design, and semiconductor physics, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree. Proficiency in hardware description languages (such as VHDL or Verilog), CAD tools like Cadence or Synopsys, and knowledge of EDA (Electronic Design Automation) systems are essential. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective teamwork skills help designers succeed in complex, collaborative projects. These combined skills ensure that chip designs are innovative, efficient, and meet stringent performance and reliability standards in a competitive industry.

What are some common challenges faced by computer chip designers in collaborative projects?

Computer chip designers often work closely with cross-functional teams, including hardware engineers, software developers, and verification specialists. One common challenge is ensuring clear communication and alignment across these diverse groups, especially when integrating complex design requirements and meeting tight deadlines. Additionally, balancing innovation with strict industry standards and manufacturing constraints can require careful negotiation and problem-solving. Adapting quickly to changes in project scope or technology is also a frequent challenge, making flexibility and teamwork essential for success.

What is the difference between Computer Chip Designer vs Hardware Engineer?

AspectComputer Chip DesignerHardware Engineer
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, CAD software, simulation toolsDevelopment labs, testing facilities, manufacturing environments
Industry UsageSemiconductor companies, tech firms, research institutionsElectronics manufacturing, product development, tech companies
Search & Comparison IntentOften compared for design focus and specializationBroader engineering roles involving hardware development

Computer Chip Designers focus on creating the architecture and design of integrated circuits using specialized software, while Hardware Engineers work on developing, testing, and implementing electronic hardware systems. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and often collaborate, but their primary responsibilities differ in scope and focus.

Are computer chip designers in demand?

Computer chip designers are in high demand due to the growing need for advanced semiconductor technology in electronics, automotive, and telecommunications industries. Skilled professionals with knowledge of VLSI design, CAD tools, and industry standards are particularly sought after, and employment opportunities are expected to grow as technology advances.

How do you become a computer chip designer?

To become a computer chip designer, individuals typically need a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a related field. Gaining experience with hardware description languages like VHDL or Verilog, and developing skills in circuit design and computer-aided design (CAD) tools, is essential. Advanced roles may require a master's or doctoral degree and a strong understanding of semiconductor manufacturing processes.

How much do computer chip designers make?

Computer chip designers typically earn a median annual salary of around $120,000, with salaries ranging from approximately $80,000 to over $180,000 depending on experience, location, and industry. Advanced skills in hardware description languages and experience with CAD tools can influence earning potential.
More about Computer Chip Designer jobs

What cities are hiring for Computer Chip Designer jobs?

Cities with the most Computer Chip Designer job openings:

What states have the most Computer Chip Designer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Computer Chip Designer jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Computer Chip Designer jobs?

For Computer Chip Designer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Computer Chip Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Computer Chip Designer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 81% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 18% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $85,906 per year, or $41.3 per hour.

Chip Design and Verification Methodology Engineer

San Francisco, CA • On-site

TenX Semi
See more jobs at TenX Semiexternal

$150 - $200/hr

Other

Posted 22 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Develop and automate the full verification lifecycle of AI-generated RTL, including building verification loops that catch bugs and provide actionable feedback.

  • Architect and implement scalable, modular verification environments that integrate simulation, formal verification, and emulation.

  • Create systems to monitor verification progress, measure coverage, and define criteria for design correctness.

Job description

Chip Design and Verification Methodology Engineer

San Francisco Bay Area, CA · Hybrid · Full-time

We are looking for a Chip Design and Verification Methodology Engineer who develops innovative methodologies to design and verify chip designs with a massive boost in productivity and quality. We treat verification as a design discipline in a holistic manner—not just a testing phase.

In this role, you will ensure the functional correctness of AI-generated RTL while fundamentally changing the way we design and verify chips. You will architect the verification loop that performs maximal automation, finds the "impossible" bugs, proves correctness, and lays the foundation for improving power-performance-area (PPA) rapidly. Your work is the foundation that makes AI-generated chip design usable and trustworthy.

What You Will Do
  • Drive Verification Methodology and Environment: Take responsibility for the full verification lifecycle of AI-generated RTL with maximal automation. You will build the verification loop that catches bugs, generates actionable feedback, and enables AI models to improve.
  • Architect Test Environments: Write clean, modular, and reusable verification environments/harnesses that can scale across customer designs. Your environments will integrate simulation, formal verification, and emulation into a unified flow.
  • Build Convergence Monitoring: Develop systems that track verification progress, measure coverage, and provide guarantees about design correctness. You will define what "done" means for AI-generated designs.
  • Deep-Dive Debugging: Go beyond pass/fail logs. You will build advanced tools to read, parse, and analyze waveforms, tracing signal dependencies to pinpoint the root cause of logic failures and feed actionable information back to AI models.
  • Collaborate on AI Integration: Work closely with AI engineers to ensure verification feedback improves model accuracy. Your understanding of what makes RTL correct will shape how our AI learns.
  • Formal Proof Generation: Develop formal proofs for critical design paths, ensuring that safety‑critical properties hold under all conditions.
What You Bring (Required)
  • Verilog and SystemVerilog Fluency: You have expert-level proficiency in writing Verilog and SystemVerilog. You understand the nuances of the language for both design (RTL) and verification (TB).
  • SystemVerilog Assertions: You have strong experience writing SystemVerilog Assertions. You know how to write concurrent assertions to validate complex temporal protocols.
  • UVM Expertise: You have deep experience with UVM methodology, including constrained‑random verification, functional coverage, and scoreboards.
  • Computer Architecture Fundamentals: You possess a solid understanding of Computer Architecture and Digital Design fundamentals (e.g., pipelines, FSMs, clock domain crossing, memory hierarchy, and coherence protocols).
  • Waveform Analysis: You have proven ability to read and analyze simulation waveforms (using tools like Verdi, SimVision, or DVE) to resolve complex logic issues.
  • Automation Mindset: You have strong Python/scripting skills and a passion for automating everything that can be automated.
Bonus Points (Preferred)
  • Hands‑on experience with commercial formal tools such as JasperGold or VC Formal. Experience with formal apps (Connectivity, CDC, RDC, CSR) is highly desirable.
  • Deep knowledge of standard on‑chip interface protocols like AXI, AHB, APB, CHI, PCIe, or CXL.
  • Experience at EDA vendors (Synopsys, Cadence, Siemens) or leading semiconductor companies (Intel, AMD, NVIDIA, Qualcomm).
  • Background in emulation platforms (Palladium, Veloce, ZeBu).
  • Familiarity with AI/ML concepts and interest in how AI can transform chip design.
  • MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science.
Why Join Us

You will be building the foundation of a new way to design chips. Verification is what makes AI-generated RTL trustworthy—your work enables everything else. You'll work at the intersection of traditional chip verification and cutting‑edge AI, solving problems no one has solved before.

#J-18808-Ljbffr

Apply