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Junior Design Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

RTL Design Engineer

Palo Alto, CA ยท On-site

$120K - $225K/yr

We're hiring experienced RTL Design Engineers from junior to senior levels to play a key role in designing and implementing the components that will bring our next-generation AI processors to life.

Senior SOC Design Engineer

Santa Clara, CA ยท On-site

$136 - $218.50/hr

As a Senior SOC Design Engineer, you'll work at the forefront of technology, integrating advanced ... Experience mentoring junior engineers or leading crossโ€‘functional technical projects Base salary ...

We're hiring experienced RTL Design Engineers from junior to senior levels to play a key role in designing and implementing the components that will bring our next-generation AI processors to life.

We're hiring experienced RTL Design Engineers from junior to senior levels to play a key role in designing and implementing the components that will bring our next-generation AI processors to life.

... junior engineers. Actively participate in design reviews and knowledge sharing. - Regularly demonstrate unique/innovative system-level solutions. - Demonstrate deep technical knowledge in multiple ...

Mentor junior engineers and contribute to design reviews, best practices, and continuous improvement. * Support production issues, failure analysis, and post-launch design improvements. Required ...

About the Role We are seeking a Physical Design Engineer to join our Silicon Engineering and ... Mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance on physical implementation best practices.

Physical Design Engineer

San Jose, CA ยท On-site

$133 - $193/hr

## Physical Design EngineerApplylocations: San Jose, California, United Statestime type: Full ... Mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance on physical implementation best practices.

Showing results 41-60

Junior Design Engineer information

See California salary details

$33.1K

$70.9K

$108.1K

How much do junior design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for junior design engineer in California is $70,859.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $47,900.00 and $79,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a junior design engineer?

To thrive as a Junior Design Engineer, you need a solid background in engineering principles, problem-solving abilities, and typically a bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, or related engineering field. Familiarity with CAD software (such as AutoCAD or SolidWorks), simulation tools, and basic knowledge of manufacturing processes are commonly required. Strong attention to detail, effective communication, and a collaborative mindset help you excel in team settings and adapt to project needs. These skills ensure accurate design work, efficient project collaboration, and successful development of innovative engineering solutions.

What are some common challenges faced by junior design engineers during their first year, and how can they overcome them?

Junior Design Engineers often encounter challenges such as adapting to company-specific design processes, managing multiple project deadlines, and bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. Building strong communication with senior engineers and actively seeking feedback can help address these hurdles. Participating in team meetings and collaborating closely with other departments, such as manufacturing or quality assurance, also enhances understanding and ensures smoother project execution. Embracing continuous learning and leveraging available training resources will further boost confidence and technical growth in the role.

What is the difference between Junior Design Engineer vs Mechanical Design Engineer?

AspectJunior Design EngineerMechanical Design Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in engineering or related field; internships or entry-level certificationsBachelor's or higher in mechanical engineering; professional certifications optional
Work EnvironmentDesign teams, engineering firms, manufacturing companiesDesign departments, R&D labs, manufacturing industries
Employer & Industry UsageEntry-level roles in engineering firms, manufacturing, automotive, aerospaceMid to senior-level roles in similar industries, often with more project responsibility

The main difference is that a Junior Design Engineer is an entry-level position focusing on learning and supporting design tasks, while a Mechanical Design Engineer typically has more experience and responsibility in designing mechanical systems. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds, but the Mechanical Design Engineer usually has more advanced skills and project ownership.

Are junior design engineers well paid?

Junior design engineers typically earn entry-level salaries that vary by industry and location but generally range from $50,000 to $70,000 annually. Compensation can increase with experience, additional skills such as CAD proficiency, and relevant certifications. Entry-level roles often include opportunities for professional development and skill-building in design software and engineering principles.

What is the role of a junior design engineer?

A junior design engineer assists in developing and modifying engineering designs, often using CAD software, under the supervision of senior engineers. They support project planning, perform calculations, and help ensure designs meet specifications and standards. This role typically requires basic engineering knowledge, attention to detail, and good communication skills.

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

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

What cities in California are hiring for Junior Design Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Junior Design Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Junior Design Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, and 10% Contract. Highlights an 90% In-person, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $70,859 per year, or $34.1 per hour.

RTL Design Engineer

Mythic

Palo Alto, CA โ€ข On-site

$120K - $225K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 13 days ago


Job description

We're hiring experienced RTL Design Engineers from junior to senior levels to play a key role in designing and implementing the components that will bring our next-generation AI processors to life.
ย 
About Us:
Mythic is building the future of AI computing with breakthrough analogย technology that delivers 100 the performance of traditional digital systemsย at the same power and cost. This unlocks bigger, more capable models andย faster, more responsive applications - whether in edge devices like drones,ย robotics, and sensors, or in cloud and data center environments. Ourย technology powers everything from large language models and CNNs toย advanced signal processing, and is engineered to operate from -40 C to +125 C, making it ideal for industrial, automotive, aerospace, and defense.
ย 
We've raised over $100M from world-class investors including Softbank,ย Threshold Ventures, Lux Capital, and DCVC, and secured multi-million-dollarย customer contracts across multiple markets.
ย 
The salary range for this position is $120,000-$225,000+ annually. Actualย compensation depends on experience, skills, qualifications, and location.
ย 
RTL Design at Mythic:
At Mythic, our RTL design team is at the heart of transforming our custom dataflow architecture into working silicon. RTL engineers take ownership of microarchitecture and RTL implementation, designing high-performance, low-power logic that enables our breakthrough AI hardware. The team works closely with architecture, custom analog IP, compiler, verification, emulation, and post-silicon teams to ensure every component integrates seamlessly into the full system. Because modern AI workloads push the limits of performance, memory, and efficiency, our RTL engineers apply creativity and rigor to deliver designs that meet aggressive PPA (performance, power, area) goals while ensuring correctness. We welcome engineers at all levels who are excited to tackle challenging design problems and play a key role in building the next generation of AI compute hardware.
Responsibilities
  • Design and implement RTL for Mythic's next-generation AI processor.
  • Develop and optimize high-performance, low-power components including datapaths, controllers, memory subsystems, and interconnects.
  • Collaborate with architects and verification engineers to define microarchitecture and ensure functional correctness.
  • Drive timing closure by working with synthesis and physical design teams.
  • Participate in design reviews and contribute to improving RTL coding practices and methodologies.
Requirements
  • Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science.
  • 3+ years of industry experience in RTL design, microarchitecture, and architecture development.
  • Solid understanding of computer architecture fundamentals (pipelines, caches, coherence, memory hierarchies).
  • Proficiency in Verilog/SystemVerilog and industry-standard RTL coding guidelines.
  • Familiarity with timing constraints, physical design considerations, and EDA flows.
  • Hands-on experience with simulation, synthesis, linting, and static timing analysis tools.
  • Strong problem-solving and communication skills with ability to work in cross-functional teams.
At Mythic, we foster a collaborative and respectful environment where people can do their best work. We hireย smart, capable individuals, provide the tools and support they need, and trust them to deliver. Our team brings a wide range of experiences and perspectives, which we see as a strength in solving hard problems together. We value professionalism, creativity, and integrity, and strive to make Mythic a place where every employee feels they belong and can contribute meaningfully.
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