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Mask Designer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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 ...

Nvidia

Senior Mask Design Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · Hybrid

$122K - $164K/yr

We are looking for a Senior Mask Layout Design Engineer - someone who is excited to join a growing group of diverse individuals responsible for handling complex mixed-signal circuit designs! NVIDIA ...

Nvidia Corporation

Senior Mask Design Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$122K - $164K/yr

We are looking for a Senior Mask Layout Design Engineer - someone who is excited to join a growing group of diverse individuals responsible for handling complex mixed-signal circuit designs! NVIDIA ...

Crown World

Creative Designer

Irvine, CA

$26.58 - $30/hr

Designs engaging and visually appealing assets for print collateral, online training videos, social ... Color-corrects, masks, and enhances or optimizes photographic or artistic images using Adobe ...

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All JobsMask Designer JobsMask Designer Jobs in California

Mask Designer information

See California salary details

$148K

$172.7K

$194.4K

How much do mask designer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for mask designer in California is $172,708.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $160,400.00 and $185,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a mask design?

A mask design involves creating the visual and structural concept for masks used in fashion, entertainment, or protective equipment. It includes selecting materials, shapes, and decorative elements to achieve the desired aesthetic or functionality, often requiring skills in illustration, pattern-making, and knowledge of materials. Mask designers may use tools like CAD software and work closely with clients or production teams to bring their concepts to life.

What are Mask Designers?

Mask Designers are specialized professionals who create detailed patterns, known as photomasks, used in semiconductor manufacturing. These photomasks are essential templates that define the microscopic circuits and structures on silicon wafers during chip fabrication. Mask Designers use advanced computer-aided design (CAD) tools to translate circuit layouts into mask patterns, ensuring precision and compliance with manufacturing specifications. Their work is critical to producing reliable and high-performance integrated circuits in electronics.

What are some common challenges faced by Mask Designers when collaborating with fabrication teams?

Mask Designers often work closely with fabrication teams to ensure that their photomask layouts translate accurately into physical semiconductor devices. A common challenge is maintaining clear communication about design intent and resolving discrepancies between the design files and manufacturing capabilities, such as minimum feature sizes or process limitations. Mask Designers must also stay updated on fabrication technology changes and adapt their designs accordingly, requiring flexibility and proactive problem-solving. Effective collaboration and a strong understanding of both design and fabrication processes are key to overcoming these challenges.

What is the highest paid designer job?

The highest paid designer jobs are often in specialized fields such as industrial, UX/UI, or fashion design at senior or executive levels. Senior designers with extensive experience, advanced skills, and leadership responsibilities can earn six-figure salaries, especially in large companies or competitive markets.

What Is a Mask Designer?

A mask designer creates templates for making microchip processors and electronic components. In this career, you use computer-aided drafting (CAD) tools to create a schematic. Your responsibilities include working with clients to determine what programs and functions you need for the integrated circuit (IC) board. You then draft designs for the circuit board layout. Other duties include creating custom blueprints and cell-based schematics. While most mask designers use CAD tools, including Cadence, other prefer to use more traditional tools. You may also supervise the design of integrated circuit boards and troubleshoot any potential problems.

How to become a mask designer?

To become a mask designer, develop skills in fashion design, illustration, and pattern making, often through a degree in fashion design or a related field. Gaining experience with design software like Adobe Illustrator and understanding materials and construction techniques are also important. Building a portfolio and networking within the fashion or costume industry can help secure opportunities in mask design.

Which designer is highly paid?

In the field of mask design, highly paid professionals typically have extensive experience, strong portfolios, and may work for major entertainment or fashion companies. Senior mask designers or those with specialized skills in 3D modeling and materials tend to earn higher salaries. Compensation varies based on location, employer, and level of expertise.

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

To thrive as a Mask Designer, you need a solid background in semiconductor physics, photolithography, and CAD layout, often supported by a degree in electrical engineering or a related field. Proficiency with specialized EDA tools like Cadence, Mentor Graphics, or Synopsys, as well as familiarity with DRC/LVS verification systems, is essential. Strong attention to detail, problem-solving, and effective collaboration skills help navigate complex design requirements and work efficiently with engineering teams. These skills ensure the creation of accurate, manufacturable photomasks critical to semiconductor device fabrication and yield.

What is the difference between Mask Designer vs Pattern Maker?

AspectMask DesignerPattern Maker
Required CredentialsFashion or costume design degree, CAD skillsFashion design or technical pattern making certification
Work EnvironmentFashion studios, costume departments, theatrical productionsGarment manufacturing, fashion houses, costume departments
Industry UsageDesigning masks for fashion, theater, eventsCreating patterns for clothing and accessories
Common Search/ComparisonOften compared for design roles in fashion and costume creationRelated to garment construction and technical design

While both Mask Designers and Pattern Makers work within the fashion and costume industries, Mask Designers focus on creating visually appealing masks often for fashion, theater, or events. Pattern Makers, on the other hand, develop the technical patterns used to cut fabric for garments. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and job responsibilities in the costume and fashion sectors.

More about Mask Designer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Mask Designer jobs in California? The most popular types of Mask Designer jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Mask Designer jobs in California? For Mask Designer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Mask Designer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Mask Designer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Mask Designer jobs? Cities in California with the most Mask Designer job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Mask Designer jobs in CA? For Mask Designer jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Mask Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Mask Designer job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $172,708 per year, or $83 per hour.
Senior Mask Layout Design Engineer

Senior Mask Layout Design Engineer

Nvidia

Santa Clara, CA • Hybrid

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago

Nvidia rating

9.6

Company rating: 9.6 out of 10

Based on 17 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

8th of 245 rated software companies

Job description

Are you a Mask Layout Design Engineer who is seeking an outstanding opportunity? We are looking for a Senior Mask Layout Design Engineer - someone who is excited to join a growing group of diverse individuals responsible for handling high-speed mixed-signal circuit designs!

NVIDIA has continuously reinvented itself over two decades. Our invention of the GPU in 1999 fueled the growth of the PC gaming market, redefined modern computer graphics, and revolutionized parallel computing. More recently, GPU deep learning ignited modern AI - the next era of computing. NVIDIA is a "learning machine" that constantly evolves by adapting to new opportunities that are hard to solve, that only we can pursue, and that matter to the world. This is our life's work, to amplify human creativity and intelligence. Join our dynamic team today!

What you'll be doing:

  • The role entails working collaboratively and multi-functionally with a multi-disciplinary team of Circuit designers and mask designers.

  • Perform physical layout for digital and mixed-signal functions like clock generators, op-amps, sensors, security circuits, power delivery circuits in state-of-the-art sub-micron CMOS technologies using Cadence tools

  • You'll work with ASIC and mixed-signal engineers to customize designs for integration in VLSI products.

  • Job duties will include floor planning, custom layout and verifying against design rules and schematics.

  • Fill, post-processing, DRC mitigation, and foundry interactions

What we need to see:

  • BS in Electrical Engineering (or equivalent experience)

  • At least 7+ years of hands-on layout design experience

  • Deep understanding of analog circuit layout concepts in submicron CMOS technologies. Validated experience with Cadence custom circuit design tools - particularly virtuoso

  • Experience running and debugging DRC and LVS with verification tools such as Dracula, Hercules, Calibre

  • Leadership experience mentoring and assisting junior mask designers, implementing standard processes for the team, and keeping checklists for optimal layout design.

  • Communicate with diverse team of mask designers across geographies and timezones.

  • Ability to work optimally in a team, good interpersonal skills and positive energy.

  • Proficiency in scripting languages like perl, python, skill etc. is a plus.

  • Knowledge of layout automation is a definite plus.

NVIDIA is a pioneer in bringing groundbreaking technology to new markets. We have some of the most forward-thinking and hardworking people in the world working with us. If you're creative and autonomous, we want to hear from you!

#LI-Hybrid

Your base salary will be determined based on your location, experience, and the pay of employees in similar positions. The base salary range is 132,000 USD - 207,000 USD.

You will also be eligible for equity and benefits.

Applications for this job will be accepted at least until January 26, 2026.

This posting is for an existing vacancy.

NVIDIA uses AI tools in its recruiting processes.

NVIDIA is committed to fostering a diverse work environment and proud to be an equal opportunity employer. As we highly value diversity in our current and future employees, we do not discriminate (including in our hiring and promotion practices) on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other characteristic protected by law.

What Nvidia employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Nvidia logo

About Nvidia

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

NVIDIA has been transforming computer graphics, PC gaming, and accelerated computing for more than 25 years. It's a unique legacy of innovation that's fueled by great technology--and amazing people. Today, we're tapping into the unlimited potential of AI to define the next era of computing. An era in which our GPU acts as the brains of computers, robots, and self-driving cars that can understand the world. Doing what's never been done before takes vision, innovation, and the world's best talent.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Santa Clara, CA, US

Year founded

1993

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