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Digital Design Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Digital Design Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$146K/yr

Responsible for design, verification, implementation (ASIC) for high-performance, physical layer, high speed wired data communication networks. * Develop ASIC specification, architecture, and micro ...

Responsible for design, verification, implementation (ASIC) for high-performance, physical layer, high speed wired data communication networks. * Develop ASIC specification, architecture, and micro ...

Apple is looking for remarkable applicants for our Display Digital Design lead role to work with multi-functional teams and external vendors to define, develop and productize the next generation of ...

Apple is looking for remarkable applicants for our Display Digital Design lead role to work with multi-functional teams and external vendors to define, develop and productize the next generation of ...

Digital Design Director

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$178K - $218K/yr

Digital Product Design (DPD) at Ford is committed to envisioning and creating simple, thoughtful, enjoyable, and compelling product experiences that our customers need and love. We work in close ...

Mixed Signal Digital Design Lead

San Jose, CA · On-site

$159K/yr

We are seeking a Digital Mixed-Signal Lead with a strong digital design and architecture background to lead the development of digital control infrastructures for advanced clocking sub-systems ( PLLs ...

Showing results 41-60

Digital Design information

See California salary details

$79.4K

$137.5K

$180.1K

How much do digital design jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for digital design in California is $137,543.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $134,200.00 and $134,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Do digital designers get paid well?

Digital designers typically earn competitive salaries that vary based on experience, location, and skill level. Entry-level positions may start lower, but experienced designers with skills in tools like Adobe Creative Suite and UI/UX knowledge can command higher pay, especially in industries with high demand for digital content creation.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a digital designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Digital Designer, you need strong visual design skills, proficiency in typography, color theory, and a relevant degree or training in graphic or digital design. Familiarity with tools such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, XD), Figma, and web design systems is typically expected. Creativity, attention to detail, and effective communication are standout soft skills in this role. These skills are crucial for producing visually engaging, user-centric designs that meet client goals and enhance digital experiences.

What is digital design?

Digital design refers to the creation of visual content using digital tools and technology. This includes designing elements for websites, mobile apps, digital ads, social media, and other digital platforms. Digital designers use software like Adobe Creative Suite to develop graphics, layouts, and interactive experiences. The goal is to communicate messages effectively and enhance user engagement through visually appealing and functional designs.

What does a digital designer do?

A digital designer creates visual content for digital platforms such as websites, apps, and social media. They use tools like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator to develop layouts, graphics, and user interfaces, often collaborating with developers and clients to ensure a cohesive digital experience.

What are common collaboration practices for digital designers working within cross-functional teams?

Digital designers often collaborate closely with developers, product managers, and marketing teams. Communication is typically facilitated through regular stand-up meetings, design reviews, and use of project management tools like Jira or Asana. Designers frequently share prototypes and style guides, gather feedback from stakeholders, and iterate quickly based on user testing outcomes. This collaborative environment encourages continuous learning and helps digital designers understand broader project goals while ensuring visual consistency across products.

What is the difference between Digital Design vs Graphic Design?

AspectDigital DesignGraphic Design
Required SkillsUI/UX, web, app interfaces, digital toolsPrint, branding, visual communication
Work EnvironmentWeb agencies, tech companies, freelancePrint shops, advertising agencies, freelance
ToolsAdobe XD, Figma, SketchAdobe Photoshop, Illustrator
Industry UsageWebsites, apps, digital mediaPrint media, branding, marketing materials

Digital Design focuses on creating visual content for digital platforms like websites and apps, emphasizing user experience and interactive elements. Graphic Design primarily involves designing visual content for print and branding, such as logos and posters. While both roles require creativity and design skills, Digital Design is more tech-oriented, whereas Graphic Design centers on static visual communication.

Is digital design a good career?

Digital design is a viable career that involves creating visual content for websites, apps, and digital media using tools like Adobe Creative Suite and design principles. It offers opportunities in various industries, often requiring skills in graphic design, user experience, and creativity, with potential for freelance or full-time work. Job prospects depend on industry demand and individual skill development.

What jobs can I get with digital design?

With a background in digital design, you can pursue roles such as graphic designer, web designer, user interface (UI) designer, user experience (UX) designer, multimedia artist, or digital marketing specialist. These positions often require proficiency in design tools like Adobe Creative Suite and knowledge of web development or user-centered design principles.
What are the most commonly searched types of Digital Design jobs in California? The most popular types of Digital Design jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Digital Design jobs? Cities in California with the most Digital Design job openings:
Infographic showing various Digital Design job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 76% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $137,543 per year, or $66.1 per hour.

Technical Lead Digital Design Engineer

Astera Labs

San Jose, CA

$160K - $195K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 28 days ago


Job description

Role Overview

Join Astera Labs as a Technical Lead Digital Design Engineer to architect and implement next-generation digital designs for high-performance AI connectivity solutions. You'll own complex blocks from micro-architecture through silicon bring-up, driving RTL implementation and collaborating with verification, physical design, and DFT teams to deliver production-quality silicon supporting PCIe Gen 6/7, CXL, UALink, UCI, Ethernet, and DDR4/DDR5 protocols.

This role offers the opportunity to work on cutting-edge technology at the forefront of AI infrastructure, taking ownership of critical design challenges in a fast-paced, collaborative environment where your contributions directly impact products deployed by the world's leading hyperscalers.

Key Responsibilities

  • Design Ownership & Execution
    • Develop and implement complex digital blocks and subsystems by defining micro-architecture and driving RTL implementation with an exceptional power, performance and area trade-off using silicon technologies better than 7nm.
    • Lead efforts to achieve timing closure and implement Design-for-Test (DFT) features for optimal design performance
    • Drive designs to production, ensuring accountability for quality, schedule, and overall design success
  • Verification & Integration
    • Collaborate with verification teams to develop test plans, achieve coverage closure, and debug complex issues
    • Own third-party IP integration and block-level verification through sign-off
    • Work closely with post-silicon teams to facilitate silicon bring-up and debug
  • Technical Leadership
    • Mentor junior engineers to develop their technical skills and expertise
    • Actively contribute to the development and improvement of silicon development processes
    • Drive design methodology improvements and CAD automation initiatives

Basic Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent
  • 5+ years of hands-on experience developing complex SoC/silicon products in Server, Storage, and/or Networking markets
  • Expertise in architecture definition, micro-architecture development, RTL coding, functional simulation, and synthesis
  • Strong understanding of timing closure, gate-level simulation (GLS), and DFT implementation
  • Deep expertise in at least one high-speed protocol: PCIe, CXL, Ethernet, DDR, or similar
  • Production experience with advanced CMOS nodes (7nm)
  • Proficiency with Cadence and/or Synopsys digital design flows

Preferred Qualifications

  • Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field
  • Track record of delivering multiple high-performance designs to production in data-center environments
  • Hands-on collaboration with embedded firmware teams; understanding of firmware development challenges
  • Familiarity with standard embedded processor subsystems (RISC-V, Arm, etc.)
  • Proven contributions to design methodology, CAD automation, or design infrastructure

Salary range is $160,000 to $195,000 depending on experience, level, and business need. This role may be eligible for discretionary bonus, incentives and benefits