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Signal Design Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

RF/Analog Mixed Signal Design Engineer

Cupertino, CA ยท On-site

$249K/yr

Description RF/Analog Mixed Signal Design Engineer will work on transistor level IC design implementation for Apple Silicon in different technology nodes. Minimum Qualifications Minimum requirement ...

RF/Analog Mixed Signal Design Engineer

Cupertino, CA ยท On-site

$249K/yr

Description RF/Analog Mixed Signal Design Engineer will work on transistor level IC design implementation for Apple Silicon in different technology nodes. Minimum Qualifications BS and a minimum of ...

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Signal Design Engineer information

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$80.5K

$141.4K

$290.5K

How much do signal design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for signal design engineer in the United States is $141,351.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $95,000.00 and $158,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Signal Design Engineers?

Signal Design Engineers are professionals who specialize in designing, implementing, and maintaining signaling systems used in railway networks, roadways, or communication infrastructure. Their primary role is to ensure that signal systems operate safely and efficiently, enabling the safe movement of trains, vehicles, or data. They work with hardware and software components, develop signaling layouts, and adhere to strict safety standards and regulations. Signal Design Engineers often collaborate with other engineers, project managers, and regulatory bodies throughout the design and implementation process.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Signal Design Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Signal Design Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical or electronics engineering, with expertise in signal processing, circuit design, and relevant engineering principles, often supported by a bachelor's degree or higher. Familiarity with industry-standard tools such as MATLAB, CAD software, and signal analysis platforms, as well as certifications like Professional Engineer (PE) or IRSE (for rail), is commonly required. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for success in this role. These capabilities ensure the safe, reliable, and efficient design of signaling systems, which are vital for safety-critical industries like transportation and communications.

What are some common challenges Signal Design Engineers face when working on large infrastructure projects?

Signal Design Engineers often encounter challenges such as coordinating with multiple disciplines (like civil, electrical, and communications teams), ensuring designs meet strict safety and regulatory requirements, and integrating new signal technologies with legacy systems. Managing tight project deadlines while ensuring accuracy and compliance is also a frequent challenge. Effective communication and proactive problem-solving are essential to successfully deliver high-quality designs in this fast-paced, detail-oriented environment.

What is the difference between Signal Design Engineer vs RF Engineer?

AspectSignal Design EngineerRF Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or higher in Electrical Engineering, Communications, or related fields; certifications like FCC or IEEE are commonBachelor's or higher in Electrical Engineering, RF Engineering, or related fields; similar certifications often required
Work EnvironmentDesign labs, testing facilities, and engineering officesTesting labs, field sites, and manufacturing environments
Industry UsageTelecommunications, broadcasting, aerospace, defenseWireless communications, satellite, radar, telecommunications

While both roles involve working with signals, Signal Design Engineers focus on creating and optimizing signal processing systems and algorithms, whereas RF Engineers specialize in designing and testing radio frequency hardware and systems. Both roles require strong technical skills and often overlap in telecommunications and wireless industries.

More about Signal Design Engineer jobs
What states have the most Signal Design Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Signal Design Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Signal Design Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Signal Design Engineer jobs are:
Infographic showing various Signal Design Engineer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $141,351 per year, or $68 per hour.

High-Speed Mixed-Signal Design Engineer

Mesh Optical Technologies

Gardena, CA โ€ข On-site

$140K - $190K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 20 days ago


Job description

HIGH-SPEED MIXED SIGNAL DESIGN ENGINEER

Mesh Optical Technologies was founded on the belief that optical photons will be at the center of advanced technologies in the coming century. Making advanced technology ubiquitous means building at scale, and that's exactly what we're doing at Mesh.

Our optical hardware platform requires tightly integrated high-speed electronic and photonic systems operating at tens of gigahertz and beyond-modulator drivers, trans-impedance amplifiers, SerDes interfaces, and the analog signal chains that connect them. We are seeking a High-Speed Mixed-Signal Design Engineer to architect, design, and validate the high-speed electronic systems that interface directly with our photonic integrated circuits. You will work across the boundary between electronics and photonics, from transistor-level circuit design through package and board-level integration, ensuring the electrical systems meet the bandwidth, linearity, and noise performance our optical links demand.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Design and analyze high-speed analog and mixed-signal circuits for electro-optic systems, including modulator drivers, TIAs, CTLEs, limiting amplifiers, and clock/data recovery circuits
  • Develop and own circuit-level and system-level models for high-speed signal chains, incorporating device parasitics, package effects, and photonic component behavior
  • Perform transistor-level simulation and verification using industry tools (e.g., Cadence Virtuoso, Spectre, ADS, HFSS) across process corners, temperature, and supply variation
  • Architect high-speed electrical interfaces between electronic ICs and photonic integrated circuits, defining impedance matching, bandwidth targets, voltage swing, and power constraints
  • Lead or contribute to chip-to-package-to-board co-design, including high-speed interconnect design, SI/PI analysis, and signal integrity closure from die through PCB
  • Collaborate with PIC designers to co-optimize electro-optic performance across the driver-modulator and photodetector-TIA interfaces
  • Define characterization and validation strategies for high-speed electronic and electro-optic subsystems, including S-parameter measurements, eye diagram analysis, and BER testing
  • Analyze measurement data and correlate to simulation models, driving root-cause investigation and design iteration
  • Partner with manufacturing and test engineering teams to develop production test methods for high-speed electrical and electro-optic assemblies
  • Contribute to component selection, evaluation, and qualification for high-speed electronic devices (e.g., driver ICs, TIAs, CDRs, PLLs)

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Master's or PhD in electrical engineering, applied physics, or a related discipline
  • 3+ years of experience in high-speed analog, mixed-signal, or RF circuit design, with emphasis on circuits operating at multi-GHz bandwidths
  • Strong foundation in analog and RF circuit design principles, including small-signal and large-signal analysis, noise analysis, and stability
  • Experience with circuit simulation tools (e.g., Cadence Spectre, ADS, HFSS, or equivalent)
  • Understanding of high-speed serial link architectures and signaling formats (e.g., NRZ, PAM4, coherent modulation)
  • Experience with high-speed lab characterization, including use of high-bandwidth oscilloscopes, VNAs, BERTs, and spectrum analyzers
  • Working knowledge of semiconductor device physics and IC fabrication processes (CMOS, SiGe BiCMOS, or III-V)
  • Strong programming and data analysis skills (e.g., Python, MATLAB) for simulation automation, data processing, and visualization
  • Willingness to work extended hours and weekends as needed

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:

  • Experience designing high-speed circuits for optical communications, including modulator drivers, TIAs, or SerDes front-ends
  • ASIC or custom IC design experience, including full design flow from specification through tapeout and silicon validation
  • Experience with high-speed package and interconnect design, including wirebond, flip-chip, or co-packaged optics integration
  • Deep expertise in one or more of: wideband amplifier design (>25 GHz), high-speed DAC/ADC interfaces, PLL/CDR design, or RF power amplifier design
  • Familiarity with DSP concepts relevant to optical links (e.g., FFE, DFE, CTLE equalization) and optical performance metrics (e.g., OSNR, OMA, receiver sensitivity)
  • Experience with electromagnetic simulation for high-speed interconnects and packaging (e.g., HFSS, Momentum, CST)
  • Experience with photonic-electronic co-design or co-simulation (e.g., Lumerical Interconnect, VPI, ADS co-simulation)
  • Experience working with silicon photonics or III-V electro-optic platforms
  • Familiarity with reliability and qualification testing for high-speed electronic or electro-optic assemblies

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:ย 
High-Speed Mixed Signals Design Engineer: $140,000.00 - $190,000.00/per year

Title and base salary are determined on a case by case basis commensurate with experience and merit.

In addition to base salary, compensation for this role includes:

  • Eligibility for long-term incentives including company stock options and discretionary bonuses awarded for exceptional achievements.
  • Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental insurance with significant cost covered by the company for yourself and dependents.
  • Paid parental leave and flexible PTO (3 weeks accrued vacation and 10 company holidays per year).
  • 401(k) retirement plan access.
  • Relocation assistance to sunny Los Angeles.