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Mask Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

OR ยท Hybrid

Are you a Mask Layout Design Engineer? If yes, We would love to hear from you! We are looking for a ... You'll work cross functionally with ASIC and mixed-signal engineers to customize designs for ...

Senior Mask Layout Engineer

Bothell, WA ยท On-site

$126K - $166K/yr

Interface with designers, test engineers, packaging engineers, and foundry team to define layout ... mask layout software packages such as Luceda IPKISS, GDSFactory, or Klayout You'd be a great fit ...

Are you a Mask Layout Design Engineer? If yes, We would love to hear from you! We are looking for a ... You'll work cross functionally with ASIC and mixed-signal engineers to customize designs for ...

OR ยท Hybrid

Are you a Mask Layout Design Engineer? If yes, We would love to hear from you! We are looking for a ... You'll work cross functionally with ASIC and mixed-signal engineers to customize designs for ...

Solution Architect

Manhattan, NY

$69.25 - $91.50/hr

Skilled in cloud cost optimization and data protection (privacy, access control, masking). * Designs scalable data platforms for self-service analytics. * Ensures metadata management (data catalog ...

Senior Mask Design Engineer

Santa Clara, CA ยท 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 ...

Senior Mask Design Engineer

Santa Clara, CA ยท 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 ...

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Mask Designer information

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$150K

$175K

$197K

How much do mask designer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for mask designer in the United States is $175,000.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $162,500.00 and $187,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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 cities are hiring for Mask Designer jobs? Cities with the most Mask Designer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Mask Designer jobs? The most popular types of Mask Designer jobs are:
What states have the most Mask Designer jobs? States with the most job openings for Mask Designer jobs include:
What are popular job titles related to Mask Designer jobs? For Mask Designer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Mask Designer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $175,000 per year, or $84.1 per hour.
Senior Mask Design Engineer - Hardware

Senior Mask Design Engineer - Hardware

Nvidia Corporation

Santa Clara, CA โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Posted 18 days ago


Job description

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. Are you a Mask Layout Design Engineer? If yes, We would love to hear from you! We are looking for a Senior Mask Layout Design Engineer, someone who is excited to join a growing and dynamic group of diverse individuals responsible for handling meaningful high-speed mixed-signal circuit designs.
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 groundbreaking sub-micron CMOS technologies using Cadence tools.
  • You'll work cross functionally 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.
  • Minimum of 7+ years proven experience in Mask and Layout Design.
  • Deep understanding of analog circuit layout concepts in submicron CMOS technologies.
  • You are an authority with Cadence custom circuit design tools - particularly virtuoso.
  • 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 for Level 4, and 148,000 USD - 235,750 USD for Level 5.
You will also be eligible for equity and benefits.
Applications for this job will be accepted at least until April 18, 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.

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