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Freelance Ic Layout Mask Designer Jobs in Riverside, CA

... IC design environment used by silicon design, layout, verification, physical design, and ... The role focuses on keeping EDA tools reliable, PDK and flow usage reproducible, and designers ...

... IC design environment used by silicon design, layout, verification, physical design, and ... The role focuses on keeping EDA tools reliable, PDK and flow usage reproducible, and designers ...

... IC design environment used by silicon design, layout, verification, physical design, and ... The role focuses on keeping EDA tools reliable, PDK and flow usage reproducible, and designers ...

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Freelance Ic Layout Mask Designer information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$10

$43

$105

How much do freelance ic layout mask designer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance ic layout mask designer in Riverside, CA is $43.09, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.32 and $60.96 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a freelance IC layout mask designer?

Freelance IC Layout Mask Designers are professionals who specialize in creating the physical layouts for integrated circuits (ICs) using specialized electronic design automation (EDA) tools. They translate circuit schematics into detailed geometric representations, known as masks, which are used in the photolithography process during semiconductor manufacturing. As freelancers, they typically work independently on a contract basis, providing layout design services to companies in the electronics or semiconductor industry. Their expertise ensures that IC designs meet performance, manufacturability, and reliability requirements while complying with foundry-specific design rules.

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

To thrive as a Freelance IC Layout Mask Designer, you need a solid understanding of semiconductor physics, IC layout design principles, and experience with industry-standard EDA tools, typically backed by a degree in electrical engineering or a related field. Proficiency in tools such as Cadence Virtuoso, Mentor Graphics, and DRC/LVS verification systems is essential, along with knowledge of relevant process design kits (PDKs). Strong attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills help ensure designs meet both technical specifications and client requirements. These skills and qualities are crucial for producing accurate, manufacturable layouts and maintaining client satisfaction in a competitive, fast-paced industry.

What are some typical challenges freelance IC layout mask designers face when working with remote clients?

Freelance IC Layout Mask Designers often encounter challenges such as aligning on specifications and design expectations due to limited face-to-face interaction. Clear and frequent communication is essential to ensure that layout iterations meet client requirements and project timelines. Additionally, freelancers need to stay updated on the latest EDA tools and process design kits (PDKs) to seamlessly integrate their work with clients’ design flows. Successfully managing time zones, file transfers, and version control systems are also common aspects of remote collaboration in this role.

What is the difference between Freelance Ic Layout Mask Designer vs Freelance Semiconductor Process Engineer?

AspectFreelance Ic Layout Mask DesignerFreelance Semiconductor Process Engineer
CredentialsCAD software proficiency, electronics backgroundEngineering degree, process knowledge
Work EnvironmentDesign studios, client sitesResearch labs, manufacturing facilities
Industry UsageIntegrated circuit manufacturingSemiconductor fabrication processes
Common Search/ComparisonDesign focus, mask creationProcess optimization, fabrication

While both roles are integral to semiconductor manufacturing, Freelance Ic Layout Mask Designers focus on creating detailed circuit layouts and masks, whereas Freelance Semiconductor Process Engineers optimize fabrication processes. The roles differ in their core responsibilities but often collaborate within the industry.

What are popular job titles related to Freelance Ic Layout Mask Designer jobs in Riverside, CA?

For Freelance Ic Layout Mask Designer jobs in Riverside, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Freelance Ic Layout Mask Designer jobs in Riverside, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Freelance Ic Layout Mask Designer jobs in Riverside, CA are:

What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Freelance Ic Layout Mask Designer jobs?

Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Freelance Ic Layout Mask Designer job openings:

Infographic showing various Freelance Ic Layout Mask Designer job openings in Riverside, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 79% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $89,623 per year, or $43.1 per hour.

Principal Analog EDA Design Automation Engineer

MaxLinear, Inc.

Irvine, CA • On-site

$145K - $190K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 10 days ago


Job description

Responsibilities

MaxLinear is seeking a Principal Analog EDA Design Automation Engineer to join our team. In this role, you will focus on the following:

  • Develop, maintain, and support the MaxLinear Analog/RF Project Environment, including EDA tools, PDK, and custom scripts
  • Working with design and layout teams to optimize workflows, automating tasks with scripting, installing and managing EDA tools (Cadence, Mentor, Synopsys), and supporting IC design engineers by maintaining tools, licenses, and servers
  • Lead innovation and enablement of custom analog/rf design methodology and solutions to address critical design challenges in cutting-edge technologies
  • Drive AI adoption in analog IC design to enhance efficiency by automating labor-intensive tasks like circuit sizing, layout, and technology migration, reducing turnaround times from weeks to days
  • Create documentation and provide hands-on training for design and layout engineers
  • Work with EDA vendors to track and resolve issues
  • Mentor and train new employees on MaxLinear Design Flows
  • Understand overall IC design flow and experience in developing tools and methods for cycle time reduction
  • Develop software for automation in Skill, Perl, Unix Shell scripting
Qualifications
  • Experience with Cadence Virtuoso Studio Environment, front-end and back-end tools such as Virtuoso, Spectre, Maestro, Layout Environment(s)
  • Experience with Siemens Calibre Physical Verification Tools, Solido Simulation Environment
  • Proficient in Linux Environment, Shell Scripting such as csh or bash
  • Proficient in Programing languages such as Python or Perl
  • Knowledge of version control tools such as perforce, design sync, Method IC
  • Experience with Cadence SKILL Language
  • Excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills, along with strong multi-tasking skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work well in a team
  • Highly disciplined approach to problem solving
  • BS in Electrical Engineering or related + 9 years of experience, or MS + 7 years of experience, or Ph.D. + 4 years of experience
Compensation and Benefits

MaxLinear has a Total Compensation philosophy which includes base salary and annual discretionary bonus eligibility and many positions also include stock-based compensation.

MaxLinear's good faith estimate starting base salary range is:  $145,000 to $190,000 Annually

We offer competitive benefits designed to support employee health, welfare, and retirement and some highlights are:  health care benefits, 401k savings plan, Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), and paid time off.

The actual starting base salary will be determined by the match to certain role-related criteria such as educational degree(s) or equivalent, relevant work experience, skillset needed for the role, and geographic location; this is not an all-inclusive list as some roles may require unique skills or experience.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, and will not be discriminated against based on race, sex, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status.

Company Overview

MaxLinear is a global, NASDAQ-traded company (MXL) where the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well. We are a fabless system-on-chip product company, striving to improve the world's communication networks for everyone through our highly integrated radio-frequency (RF), analog, digital, and mixed-signal semiconductor solutions for access and connectivity, wired and wireless infrastructure, and industrial and multi-market applications.

We hire the best people in the industry and engage them in some of the most exciting opportunities that connect the world we live in today. Our growth has come from innovative, bold approaches to solving some of the world's most challenging communication technology problems in the most efficient and effective manner.

MaxLinear began by developing the world's first high-performance TV tuner chip using standard CMOS process technology. Others said we couldn't achieve the extremely high-performance requirements using CMOS, but we proved them wrong and achieved enduring global market leadership with our designs. Since then, we've developed a full line of products that drive 4G and 5G infrastructure; enable data center, metro and long-haul optical interconnects; bring 10Gbit to the home; power the IoT revolution; and enable robust and reliable communication in harsh industrial environments. Over the years, we've expanded through organic growth and through several acquisitions that have perfectly complemented our existing portfolio and enabled us to deliver complete end-to-end solutions in our target markets. One such example was the acquisition of Intel's Home Gateway Platform Division that added Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and Broadband Gateway Processor SoC technology to our connected home portfolio creating a complete and scalable platform of connectivity and access solutions to fully address our customers' needs.

Our headquarters are in Carlsbad, near San Diego, California. We also have major design centers in Irvine and San Jose, California; Valencia, Spain; Bangalore, India; Munich, Germany; Israel; and Singapore.

We have approximately 1,200 employees, a substantial majority of whom have engineering degrees and include masters and Ph.D. graduates from many of the premiere universities around the world. Our employees thrive on innovation, outstanding execution, outside-the-box thinking, nimbleness, and collaboration. Together, we form a high-energy business team that is focused on building the best and most innovative products on the market.

Employment Type: FULL_TIME