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Mask Layout Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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 ...

Layout Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site +1

$70K - $110K/yr

AA Degree in Engineering (Bachelor's degree is preferred) or a related field of study or program certificate in Advanced IC Mask Layout Design. * 1+ years of experience in Analog & Mixed Signal IC ...

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Mask Layout Engineer information

See California salary details

$44.4K

$119.3K

$183.1K

How much do mask layout engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for mask layout engineer in California is $119,266.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $88,800.00 and $142,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Mask Layout Engineer position, and why are they important?

A Mask Layout Engineer needs a solid background in semiconductor physics, microelectronics, and integrated circuit (IC) design, often supported by a relevant engineering degree. Proficiency with Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools such as Cadence Virtuoso, Mentor Graphics, or Synopsys is typically required, and familiarity with industry standards like DRC/LVS checking is valuable. Strong attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and clear communication are important soft skills for collaborating with design and verification teams. These competencies are essential to ensure accurate, reliable IC layouts that meet stringent design and manufacturing specifications.

What is a Mask Layout Engineer job?

A Mask Layout Engineer is responsible for designing the physical layout of integrated circuits (ICs) based on schematic designs. They ensure that the layout meets design specifications, electrical performance criteria, and manufacturability constraints. This involves working with design rules, placement, routing, and verification tools to optimize performance and minimize errors. Mask Layout Engineers collaborate closely with circuit design teams, process engineers, and foundry teams to ensure that the final design can be successfully fabricated. Their work is critical in semiconductor manufacturing, impacting chip performance, size, and power efficiency.

What does a typical day look like for a Mask Layout Engineer?

A typical day for a Mask Layout Engineer involves translating circuit schematics into precise physical layouts using specialized software, running design rule checks (DRC) and layout versus schematic (LVS) verifications, and collaborating closely with circuit designers to resolve any issues or challenges. You’ll spend a significant portion of your time ensuring that layouts meet manufacturing process constraints and optimizing for performance and manufacturability. Mask Layout Engineers often work as part of a larger IC design team, interacting regularly with other engineers, project managers, and sometimes foundry partners. This role offers opportunities to deepen your technical skills and advance towards senior layout, design, or project leadership positions over time.

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Mask Layout Designer

Mask Layout Designer

Qualcomm

San Diego, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 11 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 190 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.

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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