ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Freelance Ic Layout Mask Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Analogdevices

$134K - $201K/yr

Lead Analog IC Layout Engineer About the ATE Group: The Automatic Test Equipment (ATE) organization ... As a Lead Designer, Layout, you hold a senior technical position working on our most complex layout ...

Analog Devices

Principal IC Layout Engineer

Wilmington, MA · On-site

$159K - $239K/yr

Principal IC Layout Engineer About the ATE Group: The Automatic Test Equipment (ATE) organization ... As a Principal Designer, Layout, you are a recognized expert within ADI, working on uniquely ...

Skyworks

Sr. Principal IC Layout Designer

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

$114K - $220K/yr

Requisition ID: 77676 Description Skyworks Cedar Rapids design center is seeking a Senior Principal Layout Designer responsible for the layout of Analog integrated circuits, utilizing commercial ...

Texas Instruments

RET Layout/Mask Engineer

Dallas, TX · On-site

... Layout/Mask design. Preferred qualifications: * Hands-on experience in design or PDK development ... We offer competitive pay and benefits designed to help you and your family live your best life.

SpaceX

RFIC Layout Designer (RFIC Engineering)

Redmond, WA · On-site

$115K - $145K/yr

You will be an integral part of the IC design team and lead the discipline of layout at the technical level, and will work with RFIC/mixed signal designers on full chip layout of custom analog and ...

Qualcomm

Mask Layout Designer

San Diego, CA · On-site

QCT WAN RFIC design group is seeking an experienced Mask Layout Designer to fulfill both block and project lead level roles working in a very large team environment. Responsibilities will vary ...

SpaceX

RFIC Layout Designer (RFIC Engineering)

Irvine, CA · On-site

$115K - $145K/yr

You will be an integral part of the IC design team and lead the discipline of layout at the technical level, and will work with RFIC/mixed signal designers on full chip layout of custom analog and ...

SpaceX

RFIC Layout Designer (RFIC Engineering)

Redmond, WA · On-site

$115K - $145K/yr

You will be an integral part of the IC design team and lead the discipline of layout at the technical level, and will work with RFIC/mixed signal designers on full chip layout of custom analog and ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsFreelance Ic Layout Mask Designer Jobs

Freelance Ic Layout Mask Designer information

See salary details

$10

$41

$100

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

As of Jun 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance ic layout mask designer in the United States is $41.30, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.55 and $58.41 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Freelance IC Layout Mask Designers?

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, and why are they important?

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.

More about Freelance Ic Layout Mask Designer jobs
What cities are hiring for Freelance Ic Layout Mask Designer jobs? Cities with the most Freelance Ic Layout Mask Designer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Ic Layout Mask Designer jobs? The most popular types of Ic Layout Mask Designer jobs are:
What states have the most Freelance Ic Layout Mask Designer jobs? States with the most job openings for Freelance Ic Layout Mask Designer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Freelance Ic Layout Mask Designer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Freelance Ic Layout Mask Designer jobs are:
Freelance Ic Layout Mask Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Freelance Ic Layout Mask Designer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $85,906 per year, or $41.3 per hour.
IC Layout Automation Software Engineer

IC Layout Automation Software Engineer

Rigetti Computing

Fremont, CA

Full-time

Posted 13 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.

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.

Don't see the job you want? Apply here so we can keep in touch with you when the right role opens up in the future!

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.