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Mask Designer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Production Designer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$25 - $32/hr

That designer seat is the one this posting is for, and it's the seat the rest of the shop revolves ... Operate the vinyl plotter : set up cut paths, load rolls, run cuts, weed, mask, and hand off (or ...

Design best-in-class SRAM circuits using state-of-the-art technology processes Optimize circuits for performance, area, and power Collaborate with mask designers to craft high quality and dense pitch ...

Collaborate with mask designers to craft high quality and dense pitch-matched layout * Verify functionality, electrical integrity, and robustness * Improve/develop flows and methodologies to ...

Cadence Allegro Package Designer / APD+ / SiP, Siemens Xpedition Package Designer, Synopsys IC ... Familiarity with mask and RDL vendor flows, GDS-based layout environments (Virtuoso, KLayout), and ...

Benefits: * 401(k) Sign Designer / Maker - Full-Time On-Site TM Signs & Graphics - Bakersfield, CA ... Print, laminate, cut vinyl on the plotter, mask/weed, and apply graphics * Perform quality control ...

Showing results 41-60

Mask Designer information

See California salary details

$148K

$172.7K

$194.4K

How much do mask designer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 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.

Production Designer

FastSigns

Irvine, CA • On-site

$25 - $32/hr

Full-time

Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 15 days ago


FastSigns rating

6.9

Company rating: 6.9 out of 10

Based on 75 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

176th of 739 rated retailers


Job description

Benefits:
  • 401(k)
  • 401(k) matching
  • Paid time off
  • Training & development

Production Designer
We're an independently owned FASTSIGNS franchise in Irvine. Locally run, tight-knit, and growing. The team: one outside sales rep, a store manager, a production crew, and one graphic designer. That designer seat is the one this posting is for, and it's the seat the rest of the shop revolves around. Without good art, nothing gets printed, cut, or installed. You will not be one of twelve designers shipping into a queue. You'll be the designer. What you build today goes out the door this week and shows up on a building, a vehicle, a tradeshow booth, or a storefront soon after.
We make signs, vehicle graphics, banners, wall and window graphics, ADA and wayfinding, dimensional letters, and decals. Basically anything visual a local business needs. Customers range from single retail jobs to multi-location rollouts.
What you'll actually do day to day
Design and prepress (most of your time)
  • Build new artwork from customer briefs, rough sketches, or "make it look like this."
  • Take customer-supplied art (often a low-res JPG of a logo from 2009) and rebuild or clean it up so it actually prints.
  • Prep production-ready files: outline fonts, embed images, scale at output size, set bleeds, color-manage for our output devices.
  • Maintain the customer logo and art library so we're not rebuilding the same files every order.
  • Inspect every job before it goes to output: right material, right device settings, right size, right colors.

Running print and cut production
  • Operate the roll-to-roll printer: color management, media loading, RIP and print queue, quality checks. That list grows as the shop grows. A desktop UV printer, a flatbed, and a second roll-to-roll are on the roadmap, and you'll be trained on and running those too.
  • Operate the vinyl plotter: set up cut paths, load rolls, run cuts, weed, mask, and hand off (or apply, depending on the job).

File prep for other equipment (you won't run these)
  • Prep files for the CNC router: clean vectors, proper tool paths, accounting for kerf, tabs, and material. The operator depends on you sending files that don't waste material or burn time.
  • Prep files for the laser cutter: correct line weights and colors for cut vs. score vs. raster. Same idea. The operator's day goes well or badly based on your file.

Light hands-on production
  • Laminate prints when the job calls for it.
  • Mount printed vinyl or paper to substrate (foam board, ACM, coroplast, etc.).
  • Help out with applications and finishing when production is slammed and you're between design jobs.

Customer-facing when needed
  • Occasionally hop on a quick call or email thread with a customer to clarify direction before you burn hours going down the wrong path.

What we're looking for
  • Real proficiency in Adobe Illustrator (the workhorse), Photoshop, and InDesign. Not "I took a class once." We mean sit-down-and-work proficiency.
  • 2+ years of design experience. Sign, print, or production background is a big plus. We'll also consider strong designers from adjacent fields if you're willing to learn the production side fast.
  • Solid file hygiene. Layered, named, organized. We have to come back to your files months later, and so does the next designer we hire.
  • Comfort with print production realities: bleeds, color profiles, vector vs. raster, why a 72dpi logo is a problem.
  • Willingness to get up from the desk. This is not a pure-design seat. You'll be on your feet part of the day, running equipment and working with materials alongside the design work.
  • Ability to prioritize across 10 to 20 active jobs without dropping balls.
  • High school diploma or equivalent. Formal design training is great but not required if you can do the work.

Growth
Because of how the team is structured, growth here looks like whatever you're good at and want to do more of. Two real paths, and you pick:
  • Depth in design Take on the harder, more creative jobs. Own brand work for repeat customers. As we hire a second designer down the road, become the lead.
  • Breadth into production Cross-train on the CNC and laser cutter so you can take a job from concept to finished sign without handoffs. As we add equipment, become the person who knows every machine in the shop.

We'll figure out which path fits as we get to know you. Either one is real.
The basics
  • Full-time, on-site at our Irvine shop.
  • Monday through Friday, daytime hours.
  • Paid time off, 401(k) with match, and competitive pay. Happy to discuss specifics when we talk.

How to apply
Send a resume and a portfolio (link or PDF). Portfolio matters more than the resume, so show us actual work. If you've done sign or print production, put that up front.
Compensación: $25.00 - $32.00 per hour
At FASTSIGNS, every day is unique and presents exciting opportunities, including new ways to use your talent and grow your skills. We have a large network of independently owned locations - both locally and internationally - who offer competitive pay and ongoing training opportunities.
Are you ready to plan for your future? Discover your next career. Make your statement.
Learn more by exploring the positions offered by FASTSIGNS centers.
This franchise is independently owned and operated by a franchisee. Your application will go directly to the franchisee, and all hiring decisions will be made by the management of this franchisee. All inquiries about employment at this franchisee should be made directly to the franchise location, and not to FASTSIGNS Corporate.

What FastSigns employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


FASTSIGNS logo

About FASTSIGNS

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Printing and printing services, marketing, graphic design services, specialized design services and advertising and public relations services

Company size

51 - 200 Employees

Headquarters location

Carrollton, TX, US