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Semiconductor Design Engineer Jobs in California

Lattice Semiconductor

Dir, CAD Eng R&D

San Jose, CA · On-site

$160 - $210/hr

... Engineering, or related field. * Experience : 15+ years in semiconductor design, with at least 7 ... years in EDA methodology leadership. * Technical Expertise : Deep knowledge of RTL design ...

Etech Hi

ASIC / VLSI Engineers

Milpitas, CA

These roles are within a leading semiconductor design services organization, supporting long-term engagements with tier-1 clients in networking and advanced silicon. Open roles: * RTL Engineer ...

Lattice Semiconductor

Dir, CAD Eng R&D

San Jose, CA · On-site

... Engineering, or related field. * Experience : 15+ years in semiconductor design, with at least 7 ... years in EDA methodology leadership. * Technical Expertise : Deep knowledge of RTL design ...

ChipAgents

Design and Verification Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$350K/yr

About ChipAgents ChipAgents is reinventing semiconductor design and verification through agentic AI ... In this role, you will work side-by-side with our AI engineering and research groups to build ...

Micron

Staff Engineer, CE CAD

San Jose, CA

$106K - $267K/yr

The AI Design Enablement team focuses on applying AI-assisted methods to real semiconductor design challenges, helping accelerate development, improve quality, and enhance engineering efficiency ...

ChipAgents

Design and Verification Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$150 - $350/hr

About ChipAgents ChipAgents is reinventing semiconductor design and verification through agentic AI ... In this role, you will work side‑by‑side with our AI engineering and research groups to build ...

Lattice Semiconductor

Dir, CAD Eng - R&D

San Jose, CA · On-site

... Engineering, or related field. * Experience : 15+ years in semiconductor design, with at least 7 ... years in EDA methodology leadership. * Technical Expertise : Deep knowledge of RTL design ...

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All JobsSemiconductor Design Engineer JobsSemiconductor Design Engineer Jobs in California

Semiconductor Design Engineer information

See California salary details

$40K

$87K

$156.4K

How much do semiconductor design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for semiconductor design engineer in California is $86,995.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $67,100.00 and $97,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much do semiconductor design engineers make?

Semiconductor design engineers typically earn a median annual salary ranging from $80,000 to $130,000, depending on experience, location, and company size. Senior engineers with specialized skills or certifications can earn higher salaries, often exceeding $150,000 annually.

What is the difference between Semiconductor Design Engineer vs Semiconductor Test Engineer?

AspectSemiconductor Design EngineerSemiconductor Test Engineer
Primary FocusDesigning integrated circuits and semiconductor devicesTesting and validating semiconductor products for functionality and quality
Required SkillsVLSI design, CAD tools, circuit theoryTest methodologies, debugging, automation tools
Work EnvironmentDesign labs, CAD software, collaboration with R&D teamsTest labs, production lines, quality assurance teams
Industry UsageUsed by chip manufacturers, electronics companiesUsed by testing and quality assurance departments in semiconductor firms

While both roles are essential in the semiconductor industry, Semiconductor Design Engineers focus on creating and developing new chip designs, whereas Semiconductor Test Engineers ensure these chips meet quality standards through rigorous testing. Both roles require technical expertise and often collaborate during product development cycles.

What does a semiconductor design engineer do?

A semiconductor design engineer develops and tests integrated circuits and semiconductor devices used in electronic equipment. They use electronic design automation (EDA) tools, create circuit schematics, and verify performance through simulations to ensure functionality and efficiency. This role often requires knowledge of physics, electrical engineering, and programming skills.

What are some common challenges semiconductor design engineers face when working on complex chip projects?

Semiconductor Design Engineers often encounter challenges such as balancing performance, power consumption, and area constraints while meeting strict project deadlines. Coordinating with cross-functional teams—including verification, manufacturing, and software engineers—requires strong communication and adaptability skills. Additionally, staying updated with rapidly evolving tools and industry standards is essential to ensure successful tape-out and avoid costly design errors. Addressing these challenges helps build expertise and opens up opportunities for advancement in the field.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a semiconductor design engineer?

To thrive as a Semiconductor Design Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering, semiconductor physics, and circuit design, often supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with CAD tools like Cadence or Synopsys, as well as experience with HDL languages such as Verilog or VHDL, is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective teamwork help differentiate top performers in this role. These skills ensure the efficient design, verification, and optimization of complex semiconductor devices, which are critical for innovation and product reliability.
What are popular job titles related to Semiconductor Design Engineer jobs in California? For Semiconductor Design Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Semiconductor Design Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Semiconductor Design Engineer jobs in California are:
Semiconductor Design Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Semiconductor Design Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $86,995 per year, or $41.8 per hour.

Dir, CAD Eng R&D

Lattice Semiconductor

San Jose, CA • On-site

$160 - $210/hr

Other

Re-posted 20 hours ago

Job description

Responsibilities & Skills

Description: Director – CAD Design Engineering & EDA Infrastructure

Role Overview

The Director of EDA Design Methodology & Infrastructure will lead the development, deployment, and optimization of design automation flows, tools, and infrastructure across the organization. This role ensures that engineering teams have cutting‑edge, scalable, and efficient methodologies to deliver complex semiconductor designs on time and with high quality.

Key Responsibilities
  • EDA Strategy: Define and drive the long‑term vision for EDA methodologies, flows, and infrastructure to support advanced semiconductor design.
  • Methodology Development: Architect and implement design flows for RTL-to-GDSII, verification, physical design, timing closure, and sign‑off.
  • Infrastructure Management: Oversee compute farms, license servers, cloud integration, and tool deployment to ensure scalability and efficiency.
  • GenAI Strategy for the EDA Design and Methodology
  • Cross-functional Collaboration: Partner with design, verification, CAD, and IT teams to align methodologies with project needs.
  • Tool Evaluation: Evaluate, benchmark, and deploy EDA tools from major vendors; negotiate with suppliers to optimize cost and performance.
  • Innovation Leadership: Introduce automation, AI/ML-driven flows, and cloud‑native solutions to accelerate design productivity.
  • Team Leadership: Build and mentor a high‑performing team of CAD/EDA engineers; foster a culture of technical excellence and innovation.
  • Process Standardization: Establish best practices, documentation, and training programs for design teams worldwide.
  • Risk Management: Identify and mitigate risks in tool flows, infrastructure, and project schedules.

Qualifications

  • Education: Master’s in electrical engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field.
  • Experience: 15+ years in semiconductor design, with at least 7 years in EDA methodology leadership.
  • Technical Expertise: Deep knowledge of RTL design, verification, synthesis, place & route, timing analysis, and sign‑off flows.
  • Infrastructure Knowledge: Strong background in compute infrastructure, cloud‑based design environments, and license management.
  • Leadership Skills: Proven ability to lead global teams, manage vendor relationships, and drive organizational change.
  • Soft Skills: Excellent communication, negotiation, and strategic planning abilities.
Impact

This role is pivotal in enabling the company to design next‑generation chips efficiently and competitively. By leading EDA methodology and infrastructure, the director ensures that engineering teams can innovate faster, reduce time‑to‑market, and maintain design quality at scale.

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