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Contract Rfic Design Engineer Jobs in Santa Clara, CA

OSI Engineering, Inc.

Product Design Engineer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$100 - $112/hr

Our client is seeking an experienced Product Design Engineer to join an innovative engineering team ... Experience working with contract manufacturers throughout the product development process. * Strong ...

IBA Infotech Inc.

RTL Design Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · Hybrid

We connect caliber candidates with leading companies in contract, contract-to-hire and direct-hire ... Role: (RTL) Design Engineer Location: Santa Clara, CA (Hybrid negotiable) Interview: Phone/Skype We ...

IBA Infotech Inc.

RTL Design Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

We connect caliber candidates with leading companies in contract, contract-to-hire and direct-hire ... Role: (RTL) Design Engineer Location: Santa Clara, CA (Hybrid negotiable) Interview: Phone/Skype We ...

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All JobsContract Rfic Design Engineer JobsContract Rfic Design Engineer Jobs in Santa Clara, CA

Contract Rfic Design Engineer information

What is a contract RFIC design engineer?

Contract RFIC (Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit) Design Engineers are specialists who design and develop integrated circuits that operate at radio frequencies, typically for wireless communication devices. Working on a contract basis, they may be hired by companies to complete specific projects or to provide expertise on a temporary basis. Their responsibilities include circuit design, simulation, layout, testing, and optimization of RFICs to meet performance, cost, and timeline requirements. Contract RFIC Design Engineers often collaborate with teams of hardware and software engineers to ensure seamless integration of RFICs within larger systems. They are also expected to stay updated on the latest technologies and design tools in the RF and semiconductor industries.

What are some common challenges faced by contract RFIC design engineers when working with multiple clients or projects simultaneously?

Contract RFIC Design Engineers often juggle multiple projects and clients, which can lead to challenges in balancing differing technical requirements, project timelines, and communication styles. Coordinating with various teams, adapting to distinct design flows, and managing version control across projects demand strong organizational and interpersonal skills. Successfully navigating these challenges helps ensure timely delivery of high-quality RFIC designs, while also building a reputation for reliability and adaptability in the industry.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a contract RFIC design engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Contract RFIC Design Engineer, you need expertise in RF/microwave circuit design, semiconductor physics, and familiarity with industry standards, typically supported by a degree in electrical engineering or a related field. Mastery of EDA tools like Cadence, ADS, and experience with simulation and layout software are critical, along with knowledge of relevant test equipment. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication set top engineers apart in collaborative and deadline-driven environments. These skills ensure the delivery of high-performance, reliable RFIC solutions that meet project specifications and industry demands.

What is the difference between Contract Rfic Design Engineer vs RFIC Design Engineer?

AspectContract RFIC Design EngineerRFIC Design Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering, specialized in RFIC designSame as Contract RFIC Design Engineer
Work EnvironmentProject-based, often freelance or temporary roles in various companiesFull-time employment within a company or research lab
Industry UsageCommon in consulting, contract work, or short-term projectsStandard role in semiconductor and telecommunications industries

Both roles require similar technical skills and educational background, but Contract RFIC Design Engineers typically work on short-term projects and are hired on a contractual basis, whereas RFIC Design Engineers are usually full-time employees with ongoing responsibilities.

What are the most commonly searched types of Rfic Design Engineer jobs in Santa Clara, CA?

The most popular types of Rfic Design Engineer jobs in Santa Clara, CA are:

What are popular job titles related to Contract Rfic Design Engineer jobs in Santa Clara, CA?

For Contract Rfic Design Engineer jobs in Santa Clara, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Contract Rfic Design Engineer jobs in Santa Clara, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Contract Rfic Design Engineer jobs in Santa Clara, CA are:

What cities near Santa Clara, CA are hiring for Contract Rfic Design Engineer jobs?

Cities near Santa Clara, CA with the most Contract Rfic Design Engineer job openings:

Contract Rfic Design Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract Rfic Design Engineer job openings in Santa Clara, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution.

Senior Analog & Mixed-Signal IC Designer

Phizenix

Santa Clara, CA • On-site

$237K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 1 hour ago

Job description

Role Overview

We are seeking a highly experienced Senior or Staff Analog/Mixed-Signal IC Designer to join a world-class semiconductor team. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in high-speed analog circuit design-spanning wireline transceivers, RFIC front-ends, and precision data converters-and has a track record of delivering silicon in advanced FinFET or SOI processes. This is a high-impact individual contributor or technical lead role focused on next-generation silicon for data communications, wireless, and compute applications.

Key Responsibilities

  • Design and verify high-speed analog and mixed-signal circuits including ADCs, DACs, PLLs, clock distribution, laser/modulator drivers, and transimpedance amplifiers (TIAs).
  • Architect and implement wireline SerDes front-ends, optical interconnect ICs, and multi-GHz analog signal chains from concept through tape-out.
  • Develop transistor-level schematics and layouts in advanced FinFET (7-16 nm) or SOI technologies; collaborate with layout engineers to meet stringent PPA targets.
  • Drive pre-silicon simulation and post-silicon bring-up; analyze measured silicon data and iterate on design to close specification gaps.
  • Partner with digital, CAD, and systems teams to define mixed-signal partitioning, interface specs, and shared design methodologies.
  • Produce detailed design documentation and present technical progress to cross-functional stakeholders and leadership.
  • Mentor junior designers and contribute to best-practice development across the organization.

Required Qualifications

Education & Experience

  • Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering (or related) with 6+ years of analog/mixed-signal IC design experience, OR
  • MS. in Electrical Engineering (or related) with 8+ years of analog/mixed-signal IC design experience.

Core Technical Skills

  • Analog / high-speed circuit design: wideband amplifiers, comparators, bias networks, ESD-tolerant I/Os.
  • Laser/modulator drivers and transimpedance amplifiers (TIAs) for optical interconnect applications.
  • High-speed ADC and DAC design (pipeline, SAR, flash, current-steering); including low-speed (LS) converters for control and calibration planes.
  • Clocking systems: DLLs, resonant/CMOS clock distribution, fractional-N synthesis, jitter budgeting, oscillators (LC/Ring).
  • Hands-on design in advanced FinFET nodes (TSMC / Samsung 5-16 nm) and/or Silicon-On-Insulator (SOI) processes.

Preferred Qualifications

  • RFIC design experience: LNA, mixer, PA driver, Broadband amplifiers, RF front-end modules.
  • Familiarity with high-speed wireline PHY architectures (56G / 112G PAM-4 SerDes, NRZ).
  • Background in optical module ICs (TOSA/ROSA driver ASICs, coherent DSP interfaces).
  • Proficiency with Cadence Virtuoso, Spectre / APS / Ultrasim, and industry-standard layout tools.
  • Proficient in designing RF passives like transmission lines, inductors, Tcoils, etc using EM tools like EMX, Peakview, etc.
  • Lab characterization skills: oscilloscopes, VNAs, spectrum analyzers, BERT setups.
  • Publications or patents in analog/mixed-signal IC design are a plus.

Apply