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Mask Designer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Creative Designer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$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 ...

... masking, filtering, or anonymization policies. We are trusted by leading companies such as Ramp ... About the Role As our Founding Designer you will play a crucial role in shaping and communicating ...

Junior Graphic Designer

Santa Cruz, CA

$23.50 - $31.25/hr

Our client's design team is seeking a talented Junior Designer to develop graphics for print, web ... Photoshop tasks such as clipping path creation, masking, color correction, retouching, and ...

Showing results 21-40

Mask Designer information

See California salary details

$148K

$172.7K

$194.4K

How much do mask designer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 1, 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 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.

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 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 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.

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:

Infographic showing various Mask Designer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $172,708 per year, or $83 per hour.

Senior Mask Design Engineer - Hardware

Nvidia

Santa Clara, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 20 days ago


Nvidia rating

9.6

Company rating: 9.6 out of 10

Based on 18 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

6th of 247 rated software companies


Job description

Are you a Mask Layout Design Engineer. We are looking for a Senior Mask Layout Design Engineer, someone who is excited to join a growing and multifaceted group of diverse individuals responsible for handling meaningful high-speed mixed-signal circuit designs. NVIDIA has continuously reinvented itself over two decades.

Our invention of the GPU in 1999 sparked 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 take on, that only we can pursue, and that matter to the world.

This is our life's work, to amplify human creativity and intelligence. We would love to hear from you. What you'll be doing: Performing physical layout for mixed-signal functions like PLL's, high speed SerDes, Analog to Digital converters, ESD structures designs in innovative sub-micron CMOS technologies using Cadence tools.

You'll work multi-functional with ASIC and mixed-signal engineers to customize designs for integration in VLSI products. Take part in floor planning, custom layout and verifying against design rules and schematics. What we need to see: Have a BSEE or equivalent experience and minimum of 8+ years industry experience.

Deep understanding of analog circuit layout concepts in submicron CMOS technologies. You are an authority with Cadence custom circuit design tools Experience running and debugging with verification tools such as Dracula, Hercules, Calibre, and Primeyield. You are able to work optimally in a team, good interpersonal skills, passion and positive energy.

Proficient in scripting languages like perl, python, skill etc. Should have knowledge of DRC and LVS checking flows, ability to customize decks. 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 May 9, 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