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Freelance Ic Layout Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Analog Layout Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$237K/yr

Role: Analog Layout Engineer Location: Santa Clara, CA (Remote Option available) Duration ... Responsibilities include leading IC layout of cutting-edge high-performance, high-speed CMOS ...

Sr. Principal IC Layout Designer

Greensboro, NC

$114K - $220K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Partner with senior analog/RFIC layout engineers to design cellular-band RFICs, including LNAs, RF ... Develop and maintain the IC layout methodology roadmap, collaborating with technology, CAD, and ...

The Layout Design Engineering group is an integral part of the Silicon Engineering department, working closely with the analog RFID end-point IC development team and the Reader IC team ...

$60K - $96K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

In this role layout engineer with closely work with analog design team to layout and verify custom analog/mixed-signal IPs * Lead full-custom IC layout design and verification, including chip floor ...

Staff Analog Layout Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$160K - $200K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Perform custom IC layout execution of high-speed analog/RF circuits. * Optimize layout solutions to meet stringent TSMC manufacturing constraints, DFM rules, and antenna restrictions * Deliver IP ...

Showing results 21-40

Freelance Ic Layout Engineer information

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$14

$47

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How much do freelance ic layout engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance ic layout engineer in the United States is $47.71, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.28 and $61.78 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a freelance IC layout engineer?

A Freelance IC Layout Engineer is a professional who specializes in designing the physical layout of integrated circuits (ICs) on a contract or project basis, rather than as a full-time employee. Their work involves translating circuit schematics into detailed layouts that can be manufactured on semiconductor wafers. Freelance IC Layout Engineers often collaborate with design teams remotely, using specialized software to ensure the layout meets design rules, performance, and reliability requirements. They typically work with various clients and projects, providing flexibility and expertise in the semiconductor industry.

What is the difference between Freelance Ic Layout Engineer vs Freelance PCB Designer?

AspectFreelance Ic Layout EngineerFreelance PCB Designer
CredentialsKnowledge of IC design, semiconductor fabricationKnowledge of PCB design, electronic schematics
Work EnvironmentTypically in semiconductor or integrated circuit companies, sometimes freelanceElectronics manufacturing, consulting, or freelance projects
Industry UsageUsed in semiconductor industry, integrated circuit developmentUsed in electronics product development, consumer electronics
Search & Comparison IntentComparing IC layout skills with PCB design expertise

Freelance Ic Layout Engineers focus on designing the physical layout of integrated circuits, often requiring specialized knowledge of semiconductor processes. Freelance PCB Designers create printed circuit boards for electronic devices, emphasizing schematic translation and component placement. While both roles involve electronic design, they serve different stages of product development and require distinct skill sets.

What are some common challenges freelance IC layout engineers face when working with remote clients?

Freelance IC Layout Engineers often encounter challenges such as effectively communicating design specifications, managing different time zones, and ensuring clear version control during project collaboration. Since much of the work is highly detail-oriented and requires frequent feedback, establishing a structured workflow and leveraging collaborative design tools is essential. Additionally, freelancers may need to proactively clarify requirements and maintain documentation to prevent misunderstandings that could delay project timelines.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a freelance IC layout engineer?

To thrive as a Freelance IC Layout Engineer, you need a solid background in semiconductor physics, analog/digital circuit layout principles, and relevant engineering education, often with a degree in electrical engineering or a related field. Proficiency in industry-standard EDA tools like Cadence Virtuoso, Mentor Graphics, and knowledge of DRC/LVS verification processes is crucial. Attention to detail, strong problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills help you deliver precise layouts and collaborate with remote teams or clients. These competencies are vital for ensuring high-quality, manufacturable IC designs that meet strict specifications and project deadlines.
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Infographic showing various Freelance Ic Layout Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 4% Temporary, and 11% Contract. Highlights an 89% In-person, 7% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $99,230 per year, or $47.7 per hour.

IC Layout Automation Software Engineer

Rigetti Computing

Fremont, CA

$190K - $220K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 5 days ago


Job description

About the Role

Rigetti is seeking an IC Layout Automation Software Engineer to develop and maintain software systems that support the design and fabrication of superconducting quantum circuits.

This role sits at the intersection of software engineering, IC layout, and semiconductor fabrication, enabling the translation of device and process requirements into manufacturable layouts. You will work closely with cross-functional teams across design, fabrication, and research to build and evolve tools that are critical to how quantum devices are designed and produced.

This is a highly interdisciplinary role that requires strong software fundamentals alongside familiarity with IC design workflows and fabrication processes. You will play a key role in improving the reliability, usability, and scalability of layout generation and design tooling used in a cutting-edge R&D environment and over time, in shaping what that tooling becomes. 

Key Responsibilities
Software Development & Architecture
  • Design, develop, and maintain production-quality software systems for IC layout generation and design workflows

  • Refactor and improve existing codebases to increase maintainability, usability, and performance

  • Build scalable and extensible software architectures that support evolving design and fabrication requirements

  • Ensure code quality through best practices in testing, documentation, and version control

IC Design & Layout Integration
  • Translate design and fabrication requirements into layout-ready implementations

  • Work with GDSII and IC layout formats to generate, manipulate, and validate layout data

  • Develop and maintain tooling that supports layout generation, verification, and iteration

  • Integrate software workflows with existing EDA tools and design environments

Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Partner closely with design, fabrication, and research teams to understand requirements and deliver effective solutions

  • Collaborate with stakeholders to define workflows and improve how design requests are translated into implementation

  • Support users across multiple technical domains, improving usability and reducing friction in tooling

  • Contribute to prioritization discussions across competing stakeholder needs

Tooling & Workflow Improvement
  • Improve usability and accessibility of internal design tools to reduce errors and increase efficiency

  • Identify and address gaps in current workflows, proposing more robust and user-friendly solutions

  • Support the evolution of tooling from ad hoc usage toward more structured and scalable systems

  • Balance reactive work (stabilization, bug fixing) with proactive development of new capabilities

Qualifications
  • B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, Applied Physics, Materials Science, or a related technical field.

  • Strong proficiency in Python, with experience developing and maintaining production-quality software in a real-world engineering or technical environment.

  • Proven ability to own and improve complex, long-lived codebases, including refactoring, architecture decisions, testing, documentation, and maintainability.

  • Experience working with IC layout data and formats, including GDSII.

  • Familiarity with EDA / IC layout tooling such as KLayout, gdspy, Cadence, or similar platforms.

  • Strong communication skills, with the ability to operate across teams that use different technical language and workflows.

  • Working knowledge of semiconductor fabrication workflows, with exposure to lithography processes.

  • Familiarity with lithography required; experience with e-beam lithography a strong plus.

  • Ability to translate design, fabrication, or process requirements into reliable software implementations.

  • Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally with stakeholders across software, hardware, design, fabrication, and research teams.

  • Ability to manage ambiguity, prioritize competing requests, and bring structure to evolving technical systems.

  • Comfortable working closely with cleanroom, fab, or lab-based teams in an R&D environment.

$190,000 - $220,000 a year
Base Salary
Rigetti complies with all local and state regulations in regards to displaying salary ranges. Final compensation for this role will be determined by various factors such as a candidate's relevant work experience, skills, and geographic location. Rigetti offers a full slate of benefits from competitive salaries, equity, medical, dental and vision for employees as well as a 401(k) plan, a paid parental leave program, rejuvenation days, and a vacation policy that aligns with local regulations and industry standards.

As engineering leaders, we value diversity and are committed to building a culture of inclusion to attract and engage innovative thinkers. Our technology, meant to serve all of humanity, cannot succeed if those who built it do not mirror the diversity of the communities we serve. Applications from women, minorities, and other under-represented groups are encouraged.

 

About Rigetti
Rigetti Computing is a pioneer in full-stack quantum computing. The company has operated quantum computers over the cloud since 2017 and serves global enterprise, government, and research clients through its Rigetti Quantum Cloud Services platform. The company's proprietary quantum-classical infrastructure provides ultra-low latency integration with public and private clouds for high-performance practical quantum computing. Rigetti has developed the industry's first multi-chip quantum processor for scalable quantum computing systems. The company designs and manufactures its chips in-house at Fab-1, the industry's first dedicated and integrated quantum device manufacturing facility. Rigetti was founded in 2013 and today employs more than 150 people with offices in the United States, U.K., and Australia. Learn more at www.rigetti.com.

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Export Licensing Compliance
Rigetti is committed to full compliance with applicable anti-discrimination laws. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We strive to create an inclusive work environment and will not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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