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Layout Designer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

The layout designer will be responsible for physical design of RF and analog circuits in a fast-paced environment. Detailed custom layout including floorplan, placement, routing, verification, and ...

RFIC LAYOUT DESIGNER (RFIC ENGINEERING) At SpaceX we're leveraging our experience in building rockets and spacecraft to deploy Starlink, the world's most advanced broadband internet system. Starlink ...

RFIC LAYOUT DESIGNER (RFIC ENGINEERING) At SpaceX we're leveraging our experience in building rockets and spacecraft to deploy Starlink, the world's most advanced broadband internet system. Starlink ...

Analog layout designer providing onsite support for advanced nodes, working with global layout and design team. - Candidate should work independently on block level and IP level Analog layout design ...

Analog Layout Designer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$108K - $172K/yr

Analog layout designer providing onsite support for advanced nodes, working with global layout and design team. - Candidate should work independently on block level and IP level Analog layout design ...

Staff Layout Designer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$72 - $122/hr

As a Staff Layout Designer, you will develop and prepare multi-dimensional layouts. You will provide detailed drawings of semiconductor devices from schematics and related geometry provided by design ...

Analog layout designer providing onsite support for advanced nodes, working with global layout and design team. - Candidate should work independently on block level and IP level Analog layout design ...

As a Staff Layout Designer, you will develop and prepare multi-dimensional layouts. You will provide detailed drawings of semiconductor devices from schematics and related geometry provided by design ...

Senior Layout Designer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$62.50 - $120/hr

As a Senior Layout Designer, you will develop and prepare multi-dimensional layouts. You will provide detailed drawings of semiconductor devices from schematics and related geometry provided by ...

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Layout Designer information

See California salary details

$9

$40

$99

How much do layout designer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for layout designer in California is $40.76, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.31 and $57.64 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Does a Layout Designer Do?

A layout designer arranges images, text, and other elements in print and online publications to create an overall attractive and cohesive look. As a layout designer, your job duties include creating mockups for client approval, balancing layout elements, collaborating with copywriters, and performing editorial tasks. To begin a career as a layout designer, you typically need at least an associate degree in graphic design or a related field and experience with design software, like Photoshop and Adobe InDesign. Additional qualifications include advanced computer skills, creativity, and attention to detail.

What are some common challenges Layout Designers face when working on multidisciplinary teams?

Layout Designers often collaborate closely with copywriters, illustrators, marketers, and developers, which can lead to challenges such as reconciling differing creative visions or adapting designs to meet technical constraints. Balancing aesthetic appeal with functional requirements and ensuring consistency across various formats are also frequent hurdles. Effective communication and flexibility are key to overcoming these challenges and delivering cohesive, high-quality layouts that satisfy all stakeholders.

What is the difference between Layout Designer vs Graphic Designer?

AspectLayout DesignerGraphic Designer
Primary FocusCreating page layouts, arranging visual elements for print and digital mediaDesigning visual content like logos, branding, and marketing materials
Skills & ToolsInDesign, Photoshop, layout principlesPhotoshop, Illustrator, branding concepts
Work EnvironmentPublishing houses, advertising agencies, media companiesDesign studios, marketing firms, freelance
CredentialsDesign degree or related certification often preferredDesign degree or related certification often preferred

While both roles involve visual design, a Layout Designer primarily focuses on arranging content within pages for print or digital publications, emphasizing layout and composition. A Graphic Designer creates broader visual content, including branding and marketing materials. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Layout Designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Layout Designer, you need strong visual design skills, attention to detail, and proficiency in design principles, often supported by a degree in graphic design or a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard software like Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and sometimes CAD tools is typically required. Creativity, time management, and effective communication are essential soft skills for collaborating with teams and meeting deadlines. These abilities ensure visually compelling and functional layouts that meet client or project needs and uphold brand consistency.

What are layout designers?

Layout designers are professionals who arrange visual elements—such as text, images, and graphics—on digital or printed pages to ensure clear communication and aesthetic appeal. They often work in industries like publishing, advertising, web design, and marketing, using specialized software to create visually engaging layouts. Layout designers collaborate with writers, editors, and other creative professionals to achieve the desired look and functionality for magazines, brochures, websites, and other media. Their goal is to guide the reader’s eye and make information easy to understand while maintaining brand consistency.
What are the most commonly searched types of Layout Designer jobs in California? The most popular types of Layout Designer jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Layout Designer jobs in California? For Layout Designer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Layout Designer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Layout Designer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Layout Designer jobs? Cities in California with the most Layout Designer job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Layout Designer jobs in CA? For Layout Designer jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Layout Designer job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $84,781 per year, or $40.8 per hour.
Mask Layout Designer

Mask Layout Designer

Qualcomm

San Diego, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 9 days ago


Qualcomm rating

9.6

Company rating: 9.6 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

5th of 188 rated software companies


Job description

Company:
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.
Job Area:
Engineering Services Group, Engineering Services Group > Mask Layout Design
General Summary:
Qualcomm is a company of inventors that unlocked 5G, ushering in an age of rapid acceleration in connectivity and new possibilities that will transform industries, create jobs, and enrich lives. But this is just the beginning. It takes inventive minds with diverse skills, backgrounds, and cultures to transform 6G's potential into world-changing technologies and products. This is the Invention Age, and this is where you come in.
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 depending on experience and expertise. The layout designer will be responsible for physical design of RF and analog circuits in a fast-paced environment. Detailed custom layout including floorplan, placement, routing, verification, and release of final database for high frequency RF circuits. Provide an accurate schedule and plan to meet project milestones, debug complex verification errors, mentor junior layout designers, able to lead a team to deliver high quality layout that meets design requirements, understanding of hierarchical planning and integration, chip design from top down and bottom up through tapeout. Develop and maintain automation scripts (e.g., SKILL, Python, and Perl) to improve layout efficiency, verification/debug workflows, and data checks.
Required for this Role:
  • Associate degree / Certificate with experience and/or education in the following:
  • RF high frequency circuit custom layout at chip, block, and device levels
  • Basic automation scripting (SKILL, Python, and/or Perl) for layout/verification flows

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree with at least one to two year of experience in the following:
  • Custom layout high frequency RF circuits, at chip, block, and device levels including LNA, mixer, opamp, bias, LDO, VCO, etc...
  • Cadence Virtuoso XL
  • Siemens Caliber DRC/ERC/LVS verification and debugging tools
  • Automation scripting using SKILL, Python, and Perl (development, debug, and maintenance)
  • Practical use of AI-assisted tools (e.g., coding assistants) to accelerate scripting, analysis, and documentation while following company security and IP guidelines

Minimum Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, Electronic Engineering, or related field and 2+ years of experience designing custom layouts in relevant domain (e.g., analog, mixed signal, RF, digital design), or related work experience.
OR
Associate's degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Electrical Engineering or related field and 4+ years of experience designing custom layouts in relevant domain (e.g., analog, mixed signal, RF, digital design), or related work experience.
OR
High School diploma or equivalent and 6+ years of experience designing custom layouts in relevant domain (e.g., analog, mixed signal, RF, digital design), or related work experience.
• 2+ years of experience using layout design and verification tools (e.g., cadence, LVS, rmap).
Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer. If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation during the application/hiring process, rest assured that Qualcomm is committed to providing an accessible process. You may e-mail disability-accomodations@qualcomm.com or call Qualcomm's toll-free number found here. Upon request, Qualcomm will provide reasonable accommodations to support individuals with disabilities to be able participate in the hiring process. Qualcomm is also committed to making our workplace accessible for individuals with disabilities. (Keep in mind that this email address is used to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. We will not respond here to requests for updates on applications or resume inquiries).
To all Staffing and Recruiting Agencies: Our Careers Site is only for individuals seeking a job at Qualcomm. Staffing and recruiting agencies and individuals being represented by an agency are not authorized to use this site or to submit profiles, applications or resumes, and any such submissions will be considered unsolicited. Qualcomm does not accept unsolicited resumes or applications from agencies. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, Qualcomm employees or any other company location. Qualcomm is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes/applications.
EEO Employer: Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or any other protected classification.
Qualcomm expects its employees to abide by all applicable policies and procedures, including but not limited to security and other requirements regarding protection of Company confidential information and other confidential and/or proprietary information, to the extent those requirements are permissible under applicable law.
Pay range and Other Compensation & Benefits:
$40.77 - $61.15
The above pay scale reflects the broad, minimum to maximum, pay scale for this job code for the location for which it has been posted. Even more importantly, please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Qualcomm. We also offer a competitive annual discretionary bonus program and opportunity for annual RSU grants (employees on sales-incentive plans are not eligible for our annual bonus). In addition, our highly competitive benefits package is designed to support your success at work, at home, and at play. Your recruiter will be happy to discuss all that Qualcomm has to offer - and you can review more details about our US benefits at this link.
If you would like more information about this role, please contact Qualcomm Careers.

Qualcomm logo

About Qualcomm

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Qualcomm is enabling a world where everyone and everything can be intelligently connected. You interact with products and technologies made possible by Qualcomm every day, including 5G-enabled smartphones that double as pro-level cameras and gaming devices, smarter vehicles and cities, and the technology behind the smart, connected factories that manufactured your latest purchase. Our powerful connectivity solutions keep you connected—even in remote areas. Qualcomm 5G and AI innovations are the power behind the connected intelligent edge. You’ll find our technologies behind and inside the innovations that deliver significant value across multiple industries and to billions of people every day.

Industry

Technology, communication and media

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

San Diego, CA, US

Year founded

1985