ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

From Home Pdk Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Intel

Technical Program Manager - PDK

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$151K - $196K/yr

Serve as the primary interface between engineering teams, business stakeholders, and leadership ... Delivering large-scale technical projects from concept through release. * Program management ...

GlobalFoundries

SMTS Design Enablmt PDK

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$118K - $239K/yr

Work closely with cross-functional engineering teams to deliver best-in-class DRC solutions that ... Artificial barriers and stereotypic biases detract from this objective and may be illegally ...

Globalfoundries

SMTS Design Enablmt PDK

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$118K - $239K/yr

Work closely with cross-functional engineering teams to deliver best-in-class DRC solutions that ... Artificial barriers and stereotypic biases detract from this objective and may be illegally ...

Gsme

Semiconductor CAD Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$100 - $125/hr

The Semiconductor CAD Engineer is responsible for designing, deploying, and maintaining the ... issues PDK Integration & Management * Install and maintain Process Design Kits (PDKs) from ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsPdk Engineer JobsFrom Home Pdk Engineer JobsFrom Home Pdk Engineer Jobs in California

From Home Pdk Engineer information

What is a from home PDK engineer?

A From Home PDK (Process Design Kit) Engineer is a semiconductor professional who works remotely to develop, maintain, and support PDKs for integrated circuit (IC) design. PDKs are essential toolkits that include the models, files, and data required for IC designers to create chips using a specific semiconductor fabrication process. Working from home, a PDK Engineer collaborates virtually with design teams, foundries, and EDA (Electronic Design Automation) tool vendors to ensure the accuracy and usability of these kits. This role typically requires strong expertise in semiconductor processes, scripting, and EDA tools, as well as effective communication skills for remote teamwork.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a from home PDK engineer?

To thrive as a From Home PDK (Process Design Kit) Engineer, you need a solid background in semiconductor device physics, process technology, and experience with PDK development, typically supported by a degree in electrical engineering or a related field. Proficiency with EDA tools like Cadence, Synopsys, and scripting languages such as Python or TCL is essential, along with familiarity with version control systems. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective remote communication skills set outstanding PDK Engineers apart. These competencies ensure accurate PDK development and seamless collaboration with global teams, which are critical for efficient semiconductor design workflows.

What are some common challenges faced by work-from-home PDK engineers, and how can they be addressed?

As a work-from-home PDK (Process Design Kit) Engineer, you may encounter challenges such as maintaining clear communication with cross-functional teams, managing version control of design kits, and troubleshooting issues remotely. To address these, it's essential to establish regular check-ins with your team, utilize collaborative tools for code and documentation sharing, and set up a reliable remote desktop environment for accessing lab resources. Staying proactive in communication and documentation helps ensure smooth workflow and minimizes misunderstandings.

What is the difference between From Home Pdk Engineer vs From Home RF Engineer?

AspectFrom Home Pdk EngineerFrom Home RF Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Electrical Engineering, Semiconductor or related field, relevant certificationsBachelor's in Electrical Engineering, RF or Communications Engineering, relevant certifications
Work EnvironmentSemiconductor design labs, remote design teamsWireless communication companies, remote RF testing teams
Industry UsageSemiconductor industry, chip design companiesTelecommunications, wireless device manufacturers
Common Search/ComparisonYesYes

The main difference between a From Home Pdk Engineer and a From Home RF Engineer lies in their specialization. Pdk Engineers focus on developing process design kits for semiconductor manufacturing, while RF Engineers specialize in radio frequency systems and wireless communication. Both roles often work remotely and require similar technical credentials, but their industry applications and daily tasks differ significantly.

What are the most commonly searched types of Pdk Engineer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Pdk Engineer jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to From Home Pdk Engineer jobs in California?

For From Home Pdk Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching From Home Pdk Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for From Home Pdk Engineer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for From Home Pdk Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most From Home Pdk Engineer job openings:

From Home Pdk Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various From Home Pdk Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 60% Full Time, 20% Part Time, and 20% Contract. Highlights an 80% In-person, and 20% Remote job distribution.

Staff Photonics Design & PDK Modeling Engineer

Lightmatter

Mountain View, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 6 days ago

Job description

We are hiring a Photonics PDK Modeling Engineer to join our team. In this role, you will lead the development of our internal  Process Design Kit (PDK). You will act as the architect of our component library, bridging the gap between physical device physics and system-level simulation. You will develop robust compact models for active and passive components, ensuring that our simulation environment accurately predicts the behavior of our physical layouts. You will work heavily in Python, applying software engineering rigor to the challenges of photonic hardware design.

Responsibilities
  • Develop and maintain a library of pcells using Python-based layout frameworks. Ensure strict synchronization between physical layout, logical netlists, and behavioral models.
  • Create and verify behavioral compact models for passive and active devices
  • Simulation Infrastructure: Build automated workflows that extract parameters from electromagnetic solvers (FDTD/FEM) and package them into the PDK for circuit-level simulation.
  • Model-Hardware Correlation: Validate simulation models against lab measurements. Perform data fitting and statistical analysis to align model parameters with real-world silicon performance.
  • Automated Verification: Implement regression testing and Continuous Integration (CI) pipelines to ensure PDK updates do not break legacy designs or connectivity logic.
  • Netlist & Connectivity: Own the logic for netlist extraction, ensuring that the connectivity graph generated by the code perfectly matches the physical intent.
Qualifications
  • Master's +5 years experience or PhD +3 years experience in Electrical Engineering, Photonics, Physics, or related field.
  • Deep understanding of photonic device physics and experience in device simulation. 
  • Experience building behavioral models for circuit simulators (e.g., Lumerical INTERCONNECT, Cadence, Synopsys OptSim, or custom Python solvers).
  • Experienced in Python for modeling, automation, and data analysis. Comfortable with object-oriented programming and scientific libraries (NumPy, SciPy).
  • Python based layout experience.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Familiarity with GDSFactory, OptoCompiler or KLayout Python scripting.
  • Experience with Python-native circuit simulation ecosystems (e.g., SAX, Photontorch, Simphony).
  • Experience with Git version control, unit testing (pytest), and CI/CD workflows.
  • Prior experience in performing physical layout using foundry-provided process design kits (PDKs), adhering to specific design rules and constraints.
  • Experience in taping out and testing large-scale photonic integrated circuits, including familiarity with relevant testing equipment and methodologies.
  • Experience doing inverse design
  • Possess strong project execution skills, demonstrating the ability to effectively manage multiple design priorities, adhere to project timelines, and meet critical milestones.

Apply