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Foundry Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Lightmatter

Foundry Engineer

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$180K - $212K/yr

Collaborate with design and /layout team to coordinate product tapeout to foundry. Qualifications * Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Materials Engineering/Science, Mechanical ...

Lightmatter

Foundry Engineer

Mountain View, CA · On-site

Collaborate with design and /layout team to coordinate product tapeout to foundry. Qualifications * Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Materials Engineering/Science, Mechanical ...

Nvidia

Foundry Development Engineer

Santa Clara, CA

Join NVIDIA's dynamic team as a Foundry Development Engineer! We are on the lookout for a talented, innovative, and driven individual to lead the charge in high-volume, rapid wafer production. Dive ...

Murata Americas

Senior Staff Engineer, Foundry

San Diego, CA · On-site

$58.75 - $75.75/hr

Senior Staff Foundry Engineer will drive and lead projects related sustaining fab process. Roles & Responsibilities This position has responsibility for: * Maintain and sustain custom and off-the ...

Murata America

Senior Staff Engineer, Foundry

San Diego, CA

$58.75 - $75.75/hr

Senior Staff Foundry Engineer will drive and lead projects related sustaining fab process. Roles & Responsibilities This position has responsibility for: * Maintain and sustain custom and off-the ...

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All JobsFoundry Engineer JobsFoundry Engineer Jobs in California

Foundry Engineer information

See California salary details

$59.2K

$79.4K

$110K

How much do foundry engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for foundry engineer in California is $79,363.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $69,600.00 and $83,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much does a foundry engineer make?

A foundry engineer's average salary varies by experience and location but typically ranges from $60,000 to $100,000 annually. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced engineers with specialized skills or certifications can earn higher wages, especially in industrial or manufacturing environments with advanced casting processes.

What are Foundry Engineers?

Foundry Engineers are professionals who design, develop, and oversee the processes involved in casting metals into shapes for manufacturing. They work with various materials, such as steel, iron, and aluminum, and are responsible for ensuring quality, efficiency, and safety in foundry operations. Their duties often include process optimization, troubleshooting defects, selecting appropriate materials, and implementing new technologies. Foundry Engineers play a crucial role in industries such as automotive, aerospace, and heavy machinery, where precise metal components are essential.

What engineers make $200,000 a year?

Foundry engineers, especially those with extensive experience, specialized skills, and working in high-demand industries or locations, can earn $200,000 or more annually. Senior roles often require advanced knowledge of metallurgy, process control, and equipment management, along with certifications and leadership responsibilities.

What does a foundry engineer do?

A foundry engineer designs, develops, and oversees the manufacturing of metal castings in foundries. They analyze mold designs, select appropriate materials, and ensure quality control while using tools like CAD software and adhering to safety standards. Their work involves optimizing casting processes and troubleshooting production issues to improve efficiency and product quality.

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

To excel as a Foundry Engineer, a thorough understanding of metallurgy, casting processes, and materials science is essential, usually backed by a degree in engineering or a related field. Familiarity with computer-aided design (CAD) software, simulation tools, and quality control systems is typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help in troubleshooting and collaborating with production teams. These competencies are vital for ensuring efficient, high-quality casting production and for maintaining safety and cost-effectiveness in foundry operations.

What engineers make $500,000 a year?

Highly experienced engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum engineering, aerospace engineering, or certain senior roles in software engineering can earn $500,000 or more annually, often including bonuses and stock options. These positions typically require advanced skills, extensive experience, and often involve leadership or executive responsibilities.

What are some common challenges Foundry Engineers face when working with new alloys or casting techniques?

Foundry Engineers often encounter challenges such as unpredictable material behavior, difficulty in achieving desired mechanical properties, and managing defects like porosity or cracking when working with new alloys or casting processes. Addressing these requires close collaboration with metallurgists, quality assurance teams, and production staff to fine-tune process parameters and conduct thorough testing. Staying updated on industry advancements and utilizing simulation software can also help mitigate these challenges and ensure optimal casting outcomes.

What is the difference between Foundry Engineer vs Metallurgist?

AspectFoundry EngineerMetallurgist
CredentialsBachelor's in Mechanical, Materials, or Metallurgical EngineeringBachelor's or Master's in Metallurgy, Materials Science, or related fields
Work EnvironmentManufacturing plants, foundries, casting facilitiesResearch labs, metallurgical labs, industrial settings
Industry UsageDesigning and improving casting processes, overseeing productionAnalyzing metal properties, developing alloys, quality control

Foundry Engineers focus on designing, managing, and optimizing casting processes in manufacturing environments. Metallurgists analyze metal properties and develop new alloys. While both roles require knowledge of metals, Foundry Engineers are more involved in production processes, whereas Metallurgists focus on material analysis and research.

What Is a Foundry Engineer?

A foundry is a factory or other facility that creates metal castings of products. A foundry engineer designs or upgrades these facilities. They determine the size and strength of the building required based on the client’s needs, ensuring the facility can withstand the high levels of heat needed to make metal molds, utilizes top-of-the-line technologies, and that its construction provides maximum efficiency. Foundry engineers may also redesign or make improvements to older factories to make them more productive. To pursue a career in foundry engineering, you need at least a bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field. Other qualifications may include experience with metalworks or in the construction industry.

More about Foundry Engineer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Foundry Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of Foundry Engineer jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Foundry Engineer jobs in California? For Foundry Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Foundry Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Foundry Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Foundry Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Foundry Engineer job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Foundry Engineer jobs in CA? For Foundry Engineer jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Foundry Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Foundry Engineer job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $79,363 per year, or $38.2 per hour.
Foundry Engineer

Foundry Engineer

Lightmatter

Mountain View, CA • On-site

$180K - $212K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

Lightmatter is leading the revolution in AI data center infrastructure, enabling the next giant leaps in human progress. The company invented the world's first 3D-stacked photonics engine, Passageâ„¢, capable of connecting thousands to millions of processors at the speed of light in extreme-scale data centers for the most advanced AI and HPC workloads.
Lightmatter raised $400 million in its Series D round, reaching a valuation of $4.4 billion. We will continue to accelerate the development of data center photonics and grow every department at Lightmatter!
If you're passionate about tackling complex challenges, making an impact, and being an expert in your craft, join our team of brilliant scientists, engineers, and accomplished industry leaders.
Lightmatter is (re)inventing the future of computing with light!
The person in this role will be a technology development and manufacturing team member working on planning, developing foundry process technology, manufacturing and characterization for next-generation Lightmatter products. The team will be creating product-specific silicon manufacturing process flow plan, working with supplier and internal core competency team such as package design team, silicon design teams on qualifying technology nodes, characterizing manufacturing processes and monitoring plan for Lightmatter products from product definition through qualification and high-volume manufacturing. It also involves engaging with design and platform engineering teams in addition to the supply chain organization to influence the definition of the product and to leverage the capabilities of the ecosystem from a manufacturing process perspective.
Responsibilities
  • Lead foundry process technology development, manufacturing strategies and specifications efforts for our highly integrated photonics-based AI platform and our photonics chiplet communication fabric
  • Establish silicon fabrication process coverage metrics and establish yield expectations and monitoring mechanisms
  • Provide manufacturing process solutions for integrated digital/analog/photonic/laser devices
  • Work closely with Foundry suppliers to ensure manufacturing output specifications are being met
  • Collaborate with the Design-For-Manufacturing (DFM) team early in the design process
  • Develop silicon technology and capability roadmap to support Lightmatter product requirement.
  • Develop initial product fabrication qualification and execution plan
  • Establish metrics and methodology to characterize and ensure reliable product operation at customer sites over the expected product lifetime
  • Collaborate with design and /layout team to coordinate product tapeout to foundry.

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Materials Engineering/Science, Mechanical Engineering or other related fields
  • At least 8 years of industry experience with at least 5 years of silicon process experience
  • Experience bringing products from first silicon to production
  • Strong knowledge of working and collaborating with a foundry
  • Experience with Silicon foundry processes, technologies, control plan and failures related to Silicon.
  • Exposure to packaging technology with understanding of assembly processes, packaging materials, quality and reliability standards, and packaging failure mechanism etc is preferred

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience in foundry manufacturing process or process development/integration engineer in any fab foundries
  • Experience in photonics laser foundry and package integration
  • Master's or Phd in chemistry, materials sciences or physics.

We offer competitive compensation. The base salary range for this role determined based on location, experience, educational background, and market data.
Salary Range: total compensation goes beyond base salary, it also includes a new hire equity grant, annual performance-based equity, and other rewards that recognize your impact and contribution.
$180,000-$212,000 USD
Benefits
  • Comprehensive Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
  • Retirement Savings Matching Program
  • Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
  • Generous Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
  • Paid Family Leave
  • Short Term & Long Term Disability
  • Training & Development
  • Commuter Benefits
  • Flexible, hybrid workplace model
  • Equity grants (applicable to full-time employees)

Benefits eligibility may vary depending on your employment status and location. Lightmatter recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, veteran status, and other protected status as required by applicable law.
Export Control
Candidates should have capacity to comply with the federally mandated requirements of U.S. export control laws.

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