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Custom Layout Design Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Analog Layout Design Engineer Job location: Santa Clara, CA, 95054 Job Duration: 3 ... High level of proficiency in custom, as well as standard cell-based, floorplanning and hierarchical ...

CAD Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$110K - $250K/yr

Collaborate with design engineer, verification engineer, IT, and EDA vendor to optimize EDA license ... Strong knowledge of analog design, custom layout and physical verification flows * Familiar with ...

CAD Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$110K - $250K/yr

Collaborate with design engineer, verification engineer, IT, and EDA vendor to optimize EDA license ... Strong knowledge of analog design, custom layout and physical verification flows * Familiar with ...

Are you a Mask Layout Design Engineer. If yes, We would love to hear from you. We are looking for a ... Take part in floor planning, custom layout and verifying against design rules and schematics. What ...

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Custom Layout Design Engineer information

See salary details

$45K

$120.8K

$185.5K

How much do custom layout design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for custom layout design engineer in the United States is $120,849.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $90,000.00 and $144,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Custom Layout Design Engineer vs PCB Design Engineer?

AspectCustom Layout Design EngineerPCB Design Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Electrical Engineering or related; proficiency in CAD toolsBachelor's in Electrical Engineering or related; proficiency in PCB design software
Work EnvironmentDesign labs, engineering teams, electronics manufacturingElectronics companies, manufacturing facilities, design firms
Industry UsageCustom hardware, integrated circuits, specialized electronic devicesConsumer electronics, industrial equipment, communication devices

Both roles involve electronic design, but Custom Layout Design Engineers focus on creating detailed physical layouts for custom hardware, while PCB Design Engineers specialize in designing printed circuit boards. The roles often overlap in skills and industry, but their specific focus areas differ, making each essential in different stages of electronic product development.

What are popular job titles related to Custom Layout Design Engineer jobs?

For Custom Layout Design Engineer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Custom Layout Design Engineer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 89% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $120,849 per year, or $58.1 per hour.

Senior Photonic Layout Design Engineer

Santa Clara, CA • On-site

Nvidia
Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing • 10K+ employees

Full-time

Re-posted 24 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Take ownership of the physical design and verification of photonic integrated circuits (PICs), guiding designs from proof-of-concept to manufacturing readiness.

  • Lead complex layout designs for waveguides, modulators, photodetectors, and mixed-signal functions, and drive the full tape-out process including floor planning and mask data preparation.

  • Execute post-layout verification, trace defect sources, mitigate layout issues, and ensure DRC/LVS cleanliness prior to tape-out.


Nvidia rating

9.6

Company rating: 9.6 out of 10

Based on 18 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

6th of 247 rated software companies


Job description

Are you seeking an outstanding opportunity? We are looking for a Senior Photonic Layout Design Engineer - someone who is excited to join a growing group of diverse individuals responsible for handling high-speed mixed-signal & Silicon Photonic Designs! NVIDIA has continuously reinvented itself over two decades. Our invention of the GPU in 1999 fueled the growth of the PC gaming market, redefined modern computer graphics, and revolutionized parallel computing. More recently, GPU deep learning ignited modern AI - the next era of computing. NVIDIA is a "learning machine" that constantly evolves by adapting to new opportunities that are hard to solve, that only we can pursue, and that matter to the world. This is our life's work, to amplify human creativity and intelligence. Join our diverse team today!

What You'll Be Doing:

  • As a Senior Photonics Layout Engineer, you will take ownership of the physical design and verification of cutting-edge photonic integrated circuits (PICs), guiding designs from initial proof-of-concept phases to high-volume manufacturing readiness. You will work within a highly collaborative, multidisciplinary team of photonics, CMOS, packaging, and systems engineers to drive next-generation Silicon Photonics (SiPh) and SERDES products.

  • Layout Execution & Tape-out Ownership: Lead complex, full-loop manual and automated layout designs for waveguides, modulators, photodetectors, and mixed-signal functions (high-speed/general I/Os, ESD structures). Drive the full tape-out process, including floor planning, waveguide routing, and mask data preparation.

  • Verification & Mitigation: Execute rigorous post-layout verification (DRC, LVS, fill, density) across multiple stepping versions. Trace defect sources, mitigate layout-dependent issues, and ensure DRC/LVS cleanliness prior to tape-out.

  • Test Vehicle & Component Development: Own the layout of complex test structures, active/passive full loops, and certification vehicles with large Design of Experiments (DOEs) to optimize for process windows.

  • Automation & AI-Assisted Workflows: Develop and implement AI-assisted design methods, layout automation scripts, and custom Pcells to improve productivity, reduce development cycle times, and customize DRC/LVS checking flows.

What We Need to See:

  • To succeed in this role, candidates must possess a deep technical understanding of advanced node semiconductor fabrication, sophisticated automation capabilities, and a proven track record of first-time success on high-density chip designs.

  • BS, MS, or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a closely related field (or equivalent experience). At least 12+ years of hands-on, full-chip layout design experience in semiconductor, analog, or silicon photonics industries.

  • Deep understanding of analog circuit layout, Silicon Photonic constraints, and device physics within advanced sub-micron CMOS and SiPh technologies.

  • Proven expertise with Cadence Virtuoso (Custom Layout, SDL) and industry-standard verification suites (Calibre, Hercules, ICV, Dracula, or Primeyield).

  • Strong proficiency in programming and scripting languages (Python, SKILL, Perl, TCL, or C++) for layout automation, file I/O, data processing, and tape-out flows.

  • Ability to optimize workflows using best-known methods (BKMs), and proactively collaborate with integration, and design rule teams to achieve high-yield manufacturing goals.

Your base salary will be determined based on your location, experience, and the pay of employees in similar positions. The base salary range is 148,000 USD - 235,750 USD for Level 5, and 176,000 USD - 276,000 USD for Level 6.

You will also be eligible for equity and benefits.

Applications for this job will be accepted at least until September 12, 2026.

This posting is for an existing vacancy.

NVIDIA uses AI tools in its recruiting processes.

NVIDIA is committed to fostering an inclusive work environment and proud to be an equal opportunity employer. As we highly value diversity in our current and future employees, we do not discriminate (including in our hiring and promotion practices) on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other characteristic protected by law.

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About Nvidia

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

NVIDIA has been transforming computer graphics, PC gaming, and accelerated computing for more than 25 years. It's a unique legacy of innovation that's fueled by great technology--and amazing people. Today, we're tapping into the unlimited potential of AI to define the next era of computing. An era in which our GPU acts as the brains of computers, robots, and self-driving cars that can understand the world. Doing what's never been done before takes vision, innovation, and the world's best talent.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Santa Clara, CA, US