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Entry Level Chip Design Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Amat

Engineer, Electrical or Mechanical

Santa Clara, CA

$124K - $171K/yr

Who We Are Applied Materials is a global leader in materials engineering solutions used to produce virtually every new chip and advanced display in the world. We design, build and service cutting ...

All JobsEntry Level Chip Design JobsEntry Level Chip Design Jobs in California

Entry Level Chip Design information

What is the difference between Entry Level Chip Design vs Entry Level ASIC Design?

AspectEntry Level Chip DesignEntry Level ASIC Design
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Electrical Engineering or Computer EngineeringBachelor's in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering
Work EnvironmentDesign teams in semiconductor companies, tech firmsASIC design teams in semiconductor and electronics companies
Industry UsageBroadly used in hardware development, consumer electronicsSpecialized in custom integrated circuit development
Common Search IntentEntry Level Chip Design roles and responsibilitiesEntry Level ASIC Design differences and career path

Entry Level Chip Design and Entry Level ASIC Design roles share similar educational backgrounds and work environments. However, ASIC Design is more specialized, focusing on custom chip development for specific applications. Both roles are essential in the semiconductor industry, with ASIC Design often requiring additional knowledge of verification and fabrication processes.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level Chip Design Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Chip Design Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering or computer engineering, with a focus on digital logic, circuit theory, and semiconductor fundamentals. Familiarity with hardware description languages (HDLs) like Verilog or VHDL, EDA tools such as Cadence or Synopsys, and basic simulation software is typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective teamwork help you stand out in this collaborative and precision-focused environment. These skills and tools are crucial for designing reliable, efficient chips that meet industry standards and project requirements.

What are some common challenges faced by entry-level chip design engineers, and how can new hires effectively overcome them?

Entry-level chip design engineers often face challenges such as understanding complex design tools, adapting to rapidly evolving technology, and bridging the gap between academic theory and real-world application. New hires can overcome these challenges by actively seeking mentorship from experienced colleagues, participating in team knowledge-sharing sessions, and dedicating time to hands-on practice with industry-standard CAD tools. It's also helpful to collaborate closely with verification and layout teams to gain a holistic view of the chip development process, which accelerates learning and professional growth.

What are entry level chip design jobs?

Entry level chip design jobs are positions for individuals who are beginning their careers in the field of semiconductor design. These roles typically involve assisting in the design, testing, and verification of integrated circuits (ICs) or microchips under the supervision of experienced engineers. Responsibilities may include using hardware description languages like Verilog or VHDL, running simulations, and collaborating with other engineers on various design tasks. These positions are ideal for recent graduates with a background in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or related fields.
What are the most commonly searched types of Chip Design jobs in California? The most popular types of Chip Design jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Chip Design jobs in California? For Entry Level Chip Design jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Chip Design jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Chip Design jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Entry Level Chip Design jobs? Cities in California with the most Entry Level Chip Design job openings:
Entry Level Chip Design jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Chip Design job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

Founding Engineer (Systems + ML)

Partcl

San Francisco, CA

$130K - $200K/yr

Full-time

Posted 26 days ago

Job description

Join us to apply for the Founding Engineer (Systems + ML) role at Partcl.

Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features.

This range is provided by Partcl. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

$130,000.00/yr - $200,000.00/yr

Responsibilities
  • Develop and optimize GPU‑accelerated engines (C++/CUDA) for timing analysis, gate‑sizing, place and route, synthesis.
  • Architect and build end‑to‑end pipelines: high‑performance kernels, efficient file IO, training models, latency-sensitive inference, CLI/UI layers.
  • Communicate with customers, deploy in their offices, fix production issues on the fly.
  • Partner with founders to shape product architecture and roadmap.
Required Skills
  • Proven experience shipping production C++ & GPU kernel code.
  • Experience designing, training, and deploying custom models (excluding GPT wrappers).
  • Deep understanding of systems: memory, latency, performance tradeoffs.
  • Versatility: comfortable toggling between model architecture design, low-level optimization, and scalable system design (N~>10M).
  • Fast learner: able to absorb EDA/physics concepts quickly.
  • Startup grit: thrive in ambiguity, iterate rapidly, debug complex issues.
  • Bonus: exposure to EDA, chip design, compilers, physics-driven ML.

You’ll be the first technical hire building products used at the core of next-generation chip design: tools that compress weeks-long flows into minutes, enabling real-time, AI-driven design loops. Partner with founders who’ve taped out chips, built rockets, and scaled GPU systems. Expect meaningful equity, deep technical challenges, and significant impact shaping the future of chip design.

To apply: Submit your application on YC’s WaaS platform. Highlight your experience with systems, GPU work, or ML, and tell us why Partcl matters to you.

No fluff. If you're ready to build the future of chip design, let’s talk.

Seniority level
  • Entry level
Employment type
  • Full-time
Job function
  • Information Technology
Industries
  • Technology, Information and Internet
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