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Ic Design Engineer Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

MITRE

IC Full Stack Engineer

Mclean, VA · On-site

... IC Full Stack Engineer to support high-priority initiatives for the Office of the Director of ... design and development of secure front-end and back-end architectures within classified ...

Galapagos Federal Systems LLC.

VDI Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

$147K - $157K/yr

The ideal candidate will design, engineer, and integrate secure virtual desktop and virtualized ... Ensure virtualization solutions comply with DoD and IC security and operational requirements ...

Na Oiwi Kane

VDI Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

The ideal candidate will design, engineer, and integrate secure virtual desktop and virtualized ... Ensure virtualization solutions comply with DoD and IC security and operational requirements ...

Intel

ADCE Packaging Design Architect

Washington, DC

$220K - $311K/yr

D./master's in electrical engineering/ chemical engineering/ mechanical engineering or Material Science. * 10+ years and in-depth knowledge/background in Package, PCB design, or IC digital design.

IC-CAP LLC

Senior Systems Engineer 112-200

Springfield, VA · On-site

$109K - $149K/yr

... design of hardware and software. Duties may include: * Assists the Government in providing ... DoD/IC Acquisition Process, Requirements Process, PPBES Process or system engineering of large ...

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How much do ic design engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for ic design engineer in Washington is $89.98, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $89.57 and $117.07 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are IC Design Engineers?

IC Design Engineers are professionals who design and develop integrated circuits (ICs), which are essential components used in a wide range of electronic devices. They work with specialized software tools to create circuit layouts, simulate their performance, and ensure the ICs meet required specifications. Their responsibilities often include collaborating with other engineers, testing prototypes, and troubleshooting design issues to optimize the functionality and efficiency of the chips. This role is critical in industries such as consumer electronics, automotive, telecommunications, and more.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an IC Design Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an IC Design Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering, semiconductor physics, and circuit design, usually supported by a relevant degree. Proficiency with CAD tools like Cadence or Synopsys, and familiarity with industry standards and verification methodologies, are essential. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective teamwork set outstanding candidates apart. These skills ensure the development of reliable, high-performance integrated circuits that meet technical and market requirements.

What is the difference between Ic Design Engineer vs IC Test Engineer?

AspectIC Design EngineerIC Test Engineer
Primary FocusDesigning integrated circuits and chip architecturesTesting and validating ICs for functionality and quality
Skills & CertificationsVLSI design, CAD tools, circuit theoryTesting methodologies, lab equipment, scripting
Work EnvironmentDesign labs, CAD software, collaboration with design teamsTesting labs, equipment setup, analysis of test data
Industry UsageSemiconductor companies, electronics manufacturersManufacturers, testing service providers

While both roles are integral to IC development, IC Design Engineers focus on creating the circuit layouts and architectures, whereas IC Test Engineers specialize in verifying and validating the functionality of these chips through testing processes. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus within the semiconductor industry.

What are some typical challenges an IC Design Engineer might face during the design and verification process?

IC Design Engineers often encounter challenges such as meeting strict power, performance, and area (PPA) targets while adhering to tight project timelines. Debugging complex circuit behaviors and ensuring designs are error-free through rigorous verification can also be demanding. Collaboration with cross-functional teams—such as layout engineers, verification specialists, and system architects—is essential to address design constraints and integration issues. Staying updated with evolving design tools and methodologies is another key aspect of the role.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Highly experienced engineering roles such as senior software engineers, engineering managers, or specialized fields like petroleum or aerospace engineering can reach or exceed $500,000 annually, especially with bonuses and stock options. These positions typically require advanced skills, extensive experience, and often involve leadership or highly technical responsibilities.

How much do IC design engineers make?

IC design engineers typically earn a median annual salary ranging from $80,000 to $130,000, depending on experience, location, and industry. Senior engineers with specialized skills in VLSI design or FPGA development can earn higher salaries, often exceeding $150,000. Compensation may also include bonuses and stock options in some companies.

What engineers make $200,000 a year?

Senior IC Design Engineers with extensive experience, advanced skills in semiconductor design, and often a master's or Ph.D. can earn $200,000 or more annually. High-level roles in specialized fields such as ASIC or FPGA design, especially in competitive markets, tend to have compensation in this range, often including bonuses and stock options.

What does an IC design engineer do?

An IC design engineer develops and designs integrated circuits used in electronic devices, focusing on creating circuit layouts, verifying functionality, and optimizing performance. They often use specialized software tools like CAD and require knowledge of semiconductor physics and electronic principles. Their work involves collaboration with manufacturing teams to ensure designs are feasible for production.

What Does an Ic Design Engineer Do?

As an IC design engineer, your job is to help create an integrated circuit that meets the needs of a project. This typically involves fitting amplifiers, transistors, capacitors, resistors, and other components into a single part that manufacturers can install onto a larger circuit board. Fulfilling the responsibilities and duties of an IC design engineer requires familiarity with various electronic components and the ability to transform overall project goals into specific design objectives. Most integrated circuits are purpose-built for each type of circuit board, so flexibility and the ability to modify designs as needed is essential for success in this field.

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Ic Design Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Ic Design Engineer job openings in Washington as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $187,161 per year, or $90 per hour.
RF Design Engineer

RF Design Engineer

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

Laurel, MD • On-site

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 22 days ago

Job description

Description

Are you passionate about providing real, immediate impact to the country's toughest national security problems?

Do you love designing, building, and testing prototype radio frequency (RF) waveforms and systems?

Do you enjoy combining state-of-the-art antennas with cutting edge RF technology and digital signal processing to solve challenging communications problems?

If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our team at APL.

We are seeking an RF Design Engineer to help us research, design, and deliver groundbreaking RF capabilities to our sponsors. You would be joining our team, which provides creative solutions and systems for Special Operations missions in the Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC).

As a member of our team, you will be responsible for designing, testing, demonstrating, and delivering RF antennas and sensors as well as associated RF circuits, for systems that function throughout the electromagnetic spectrum. Specific applications span several mission and research areas in the DoD and IC.

As an RF Design Engineer, you will...

  • Stay up-to-date on the latest antenna, RF electronics, and signal processing innovations.
  • Participate in and lead component- and system-level hardware design teams from 3 to 30 engineers.
  • Develop hardware specifications and system requirements from high-level operational need statements.
  • Design and develop innovative hardware solutions such as antennas, electromagnetic sensors, RF circuits, and RF systems.
  • Develop and refine RF simulations to study RF propagation and performance.
  • Define and execute hardware tests to assess component and system performance.
  • Conduct HW/SW tradeoff analyses, develop system block diagrams, perform Analysis-of-Alternatives studies, and guide vendor selection for critical subsystems.
  • Document and present work to sponsors, technical teams, and APL management.
  • Continually grow your skills in engineering, communication, and leadership.

Qualifications

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...

  • A Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or another field relevant to the duties as described above.
  • 5+ years of experience developing RF or electromagnetic hardware.
  • Experience with RF lab test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, signal generators, etc.
  • Experience with RF concepts such as network parameters, impedance, and distributed RF circuits.
  • Familiarity with full-wave electromagnetic and RF circuit solvers.
  • Experience developing digital signal processing solutions.
  • Strong oral and written communication skills.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to work independently or as part of a multi-discipline team.
  • The ability to work on-site at APL's main campus as well as at commercial and government test sites.
  • Are able to obtain a TS/SCI security clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

You'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...

  • Master's or Doctorate degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related field with a focus in RF or electromagnetic sensors or systems.
  • 8+ years of experience with antenna design and testing
  • Strong understanding of network parameters and how to use them to solve wide-ranging RF and electromagnetic problems.
  • Experience with electromagnetic concepts and derivations for radiating elements and fields.
  • Experience with mathematical methods of full-wave electromagnetic solvers.
  • Lead teams of 3+ engineers with all levels of seniority.
  • Deep understanding of statistical digital signal processing and signal estimation theory.
  • Hold a TS/SCI security clearance.

About Us

Why Work at APL?

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation's most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.

At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL's campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities athttps://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contactAccessibility@jhuapl.edu.

The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL's good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.


Minimum Rate
$100,000 Annually
Maximum Rate
$245,000 Annually

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