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Computer Chip Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

TenX Semi

Chip Design Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$150 - $200/hr

MS in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science. Why Join Us You will be at the forefront of AI-assisted chip design--a fundamental transformation in how chips are built. Your designs will go into ...

Ricursive

Chip Design Engineer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$250/hr

Partner with Architect, RTL, DFT, and foundry/design-service teams to structure designs for ... MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS * BS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a ...

New

TenX Semi

AI Application Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$125 - $150/hr

Knowledge of chip design concepts (architecture specs, interface protocols, timing diagrams). * MS or PhD in Computer Science with NLP or ML focus. Why Join Us You will build AI that designs chips ...

Agentrys

$125 - $150/hr

... designed. We are developing Agentic Design Automation, or ADA: self-improving agents with agent ... Qualifications We are looking for someone who has: * BS/MS degree in Computer Engineering, Computer ...

Google

Chip Implementation Lead

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related ... designs, with a specific focus on TPU architecture and its integration within AI/ML-driven systems.

Amazon

Software Dev Engineer III - AMZ9160846

Austin, TX · On-site

$168K - $227K/yr

Drive the architecture and design of large-scale processor and/or complex system-on-a-chip designs ... Position Requirements: Master's degree or foreign equivalent degree in Computer Science ...

Agentrys

Solutions Engineer, AI for Chip Design

San Jose, CA · On-site

$125 - $150/hr

... designed. We are developing Agentic Design Automation, or ADA: self-improving agents with agent ... Qualifications We are looking for someone who has: * BS/MS degree in Computer Engineering, Computer ...

Lattice Semiconductor

SoC Chip Lead

San Jose, CA · On-site

Lattice is a worldwide community of engineers, designers, and manufacturing operations specialists ... Computer Engineering with 20+ years of FPGA/SoC design experience * Established track record ...

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Computer Chip Designer information

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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.
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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 Engineer

San Francisco, CA • On-site

TenX Semi
See more jobs at TenX Semiexternal

$150 - $200/hr

Other

Posted 7 days ago

Job description

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

We are looking for a Chip Design Engineer who works on strategic customer engagements, developing custom IP and optimizing designs for power, performance, and area. You will collaborate closely with our AI systems, providing the domain expertise that ensures AI-generated designs meet real-world requirements.

In this role, you will combine hands-on RTL design with exposure to cutting-edge AI technology. You will help shape how AI and human expertise work together in chip design. Your designs will go into production at the world's leading technology companies.

What You Will Do
  • Design RTL for Customer Projects: Implement RTL for strategic customer engagements. You will write clean, synthesizable, timing-aware Verilog/SystemVerilog.
  • Optimize for PPA: Analyze and optimize designs for power, performance, and area. Your optimizations will contribute to royalty-generating designs.
  • Support Synthesis and Timing: Work through synthesis and timing closure. You understand what makes RTL synthesizable and how to fix timing violations.
  • Improve AI-Generated Designs: Review and enhance AI-generated RTL for production quality. Your feedback will improve model accuracy.
  • Develop Reference Implementations: Create high-quality reference designs that become training data for our AI models.
  • Implement Protocol Blocks: Build protocol implementations (PCIe, DDR, AXI, etc.) for customer requirements.
What You Bring (Required)
  • RTL Design Experience: You have 5+ years of experience designing production RTL. You write clean, readable, synthesizable Verilog/SystemVerilog.
  • Micro-Architecture Understanding: You have solid understanding of pipeline design, FSMs, arbitration, and data flow. You can translate architecture specs into RTL.
  • Synthesis Awareness: You have experience with synthesis tools (Design Compiler, Genus). You understand what makes RTL timing-friendly.
  • Debug Skills: You can read waveforms, trace signal paths, and debug complex logic issues. You have experience with Verdi, SimVision, or similar tools.
  • PPA Intuition: You understand power-performance-area tradeoffs. You can make informed design decisions based on PPA goals.
  • Collaborative Mindset: You work well with verification engineers, architects, and AI engineers. You communicate clearly and give/receive feedback well.
Bonus Points (Preferred)
  • Experience at leading semiconductor companies (Intel, AMD, NVIDIA, Qualcomm, Broadcom, Marvell, MediaTek).
  • Protocol implementation experience (PCIe, DDR, AXI, AHB, APB, CHI).
  • Physical design awareness (floor planning, clock tree, routing congestion).
  • Background in accelerator, SoC, or high-performance computing design.
  • Familiarity with AI/ML concepts and interest in AI-assisted design.
  • MS in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science.
Why Join Us

You will be at the forefront of AI-assisted chip design—a fundamental transformation in how chips are built. Your designs will go into production at top tech companies. You'll learn cutting-edge AI while applying your chip design expertise, building skills that will define the future of the industry.

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