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How much do design development jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for design development in California is $21.55, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.31 and $23.70 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is design development?

Design development is a phase in the architectural and design process where initial concepts are refined into detailed plans and specifications. During this stage, designers work out the specifics of materials, dimensions, systems, and aesthetics, often collaborating with engineers and consultants. The goal is to translate ideas from the schematic design phase into precise documentation that can be used for construction. This stage helps ensure that the project is feasible, meets client needs, and complies with regulations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in design development?

To thrive in Design Development, you need a solid background in design principles, project management, and a relevant degree such as architecture, industrial design, or engineering. Familiarity with CAD software, 3D modeling tools, and design documentation systems is typically expected. Strong collaboration, problem-solving, and communication skills help you effectively translate concepts into practical solutions and work within multidisciplinary teams. These skills are crucial for delivering innovative, functional designs that meet client needs and project requirements.

What are some common challenges faced in a design development role and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in Design Development often encounter challenges such as balancing creative vision with practical constraints like budget, timeline, and client requirements. Navigating feedback from multiple stakeholders and ensuring that design intent is maintained throughout the development process can also be demanding. These challenges can be addressed by fostering strong communication within cross-functional teams, maintaining detailed documentation, and using iterative design reviews to ensure alignment. By staying adaptable and solution-oriented, design development specialists can help bridge the gap between concept and execution.

What is the difference between Design Development vs Design Engineer?

AspectDesign DevelopmentDesign Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's degree in design, architecture, or related fieldBachelor's or master's in engineering, design, or related discipline
Work EnvironmentCollaborative teams, design studios, project sitesEngineering offices, manufacturing plants, project sites
Industry UsageArchitecture, product design, industrial designMechanical, civil, electrical engineering projects

Design Development focuses on refining and evolving design concepts, often involving creative and aesthetic decisions. Design Engineers apply engineering principles to develop functional, safe, and manufacturable products or systems. While both roles require technical knowledge, Design Development emphasizes creative design progression, whereas Design Engineers focus on technical feasibility and engineering solutions.

What are the most commonly searched types of Design Development jobs in California?

The most popular types of Design Development jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Design Development jobs in California?

For Design Development jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Design Development jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Design Development jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Design Development jobs?

Cities in California with the most Design Development job openings:

Design Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Design Development job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 86% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $44,814 per year, or $21.5 per hour.

High-Speed Optoelectronic Transceiver Design & Development Engineer

Santa Clara, CA • On-site

samtec
Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component Manufacturing • 1 - 5K employees
Learn more about samtecexternal

Full-time

Re-posted 14 days ago

Samtec rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 12 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Description
Position at Samtec, Inc
Founded in 1976, Samtec is a privately held, $1 Billion global manufacturer of a broad line of electronic interconnect solutions, including High-Speed Board-to-Board, High-Speed Cables, Mid-Board and Panel Optics, Precision RF, Flexible Stacking, and Micro/Rugged components and cables. Samtec Technology Centers are dedicated to developing and advancing technologies, strategies and products to optimize both the performance and cost of a system from the bare die to an interface 100 meters away, and all interconnect points in between. With 40+ international locations and products sold in more than 125 different countries, Samtec's global presence enables its unmatched customer service.
Summary/Objective:
Our high-speed optoelectronic transceiver design and development engineers own the design of our high-speed optical communication transceivers, including component selection such as opto-electronic devices and Physical Media Dependent ASICs, PCB design and layout, signal integrity, and device characterization and configuration optimization. Our mid-board optical transceiver products operate at low speeds (25G) up to today's leading data rates (e.g., 100G/400G/800G and beyond). The qualified candidate will be an expert in high-speed optoelectronics with adjacent competencies so they're able to trade off design decisions across many engineering disciplines - EE, high-speed RF/signal integrity, optics/photonics, mechanical, thermal, firmware/DSP, and process development - across the product development life cycle. They translate product requirements into product and project metrics and execute prototype bring-up, integration, characterization, and validation, including signal-integrity and optical link-budget analysis; these metrics also drive product qualification and production testing. In lead roles, they remove roadblocks in new product development (NPD) and advise NPD leaders.
Essential Functions/ Responsibilities:
  • Design and develop high-speed optoelectronic transceiver products - optimizing bandwidth, signal integrity, link budget, and power efficiency across NRZ and PAM4 signaling.
  • Model and simulate RF and optical subsystems using tools like ADS, HFSS, or Zemax to predict performance and refine designs.
  • Integrate RF components (e.g., amplifiers, mixers) with optical elements (e.g., modulators, photodetectors) to create cohesive, high-functioning assemblies.
  • Perform hands-on testing and validation of prototypes, using RF test equipment (e.g., network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, BERT) and optical tools (e.g., power meters, OTDRs, scope, VOA, optical switch).
  • Troubleshoot and resolve issues related to RF-optical interactions, such as impedance matching, noise reduction, or optical loss.
  • Collaborate with product managers and manufacturing to ensure designs are scalable, cost-effective, and compliant with applicable standards and MSAs (e.g., IEEE 802.3 Ethernet, OIF-CEI, CMIS, relevant MSA form factors), plus ITU and MIL-STD where required.
  • Document design specifications, test procedures, and performance data to support development milestones and production transitions.
  • Research emerging RF-optics technologies and materials to enhance product capabilities and maintain a competitive edge.

Use this statement in all cases "The responsibilities as defined are intended to serve as a general guideline for this position. Associates may be asked to perform additional tasks depending on strengths and capabilities"
Required Experience:
  • 4+ years of experience in high speed optoelectronic transceiver product design, with a focus on integrated RF-optics systems.
  • Familiar with RF design tools (e.g., Keysight ADS, Ansys HFSS) and optical simulation software (e.g., Zemax, OptiSystem).
  • Hands-on experience with RF and optical test equipment - signal generators, vector network analyzers, BER testers, optical spectrum analyzers, and high-speed sampling/real-time oscilloscopes (DCA) for eye-diagram, jitter, and TDECQ characterization.
  • Strong knowledge of RF principles (modulation, impedance, EMI) and high-speed optoelectronic concepts (fiber optics, laser diodes, modulators/photodetectors, dispersion), including high-speed link concepts - NRZ/PAM4, SerDes, equalization (CTLE/DFE/FFE), FEC, jitter, and eye-diagram/BER analysis.
  • Ability to analyze and solve complex technical challenges at the intersection of RF and optical domains.
  • Excellent organizational and communication skills for cross-functional collaboration and technical documentation.
  • (Optional: Familiarity with specific applications/standards - e.g., hyperscale data center and AI/ML interconnects, 100G/400G/800G Ethernet, coherent optics, 5G fronthaul, satellite comms, PCIe, or military/ruggedized/radar environments.)

Education:
  • Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, RF Engineering, Photonics Physics or a related field is required. Master or Doctoral degree in those fields will be a plus.

Salary and benefit offerings:
The preferred location for this position is the Silicon Valley Design Center in Santa Clara, CA, where the salary range is $240,000 - $330,000 annually, based on experience, plus generous Samtec bonuses paid three times per year (February, August, and late fall).
A secondary option is the Samtec Vista Design Center in San Diego/Vista, CA. At this site, the salary range is $210,000 - $290,000 annually, based on experience, plus the same bonus structure.
Relocation assistance is available only for moves to the preferred location Silicon Valley Design Center in Santa Clara, CA.
SAMTEC, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and committed to creating a diverse environment. All employment decisions at Samtec are based in business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, pregnancy or parental status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender and/or gender identity/expression, marital status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable laws.Privacy Policy: https://www.samtec.com/about/legal/#privacyrightspage

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About SAMTEC

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Industry

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

New Albany, IN, US

Year founded

1976

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