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Silicon Design Engineering Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Math, or related field and 8+ years of industry experience in FPGA or ASIC design. * 8+ years of ...

Silicon Design Engineer (Standard Cell)

Austin, TX · On-site

$99.10K - $135.80K/yr

Silicon Design Engineer (Standard Cell) 100% Remote 12 + Months Responsibilities: Design and port standard cell schematics. Run Spice and Monte Carlo simulations. Characterize libraries for custom ...

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Silicon Design Engineering information

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$52.5K

$134.5K

$207.5K

How much do silicon design engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for silicon design engineering in the United States is $134,466.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $109,000.00 and $150,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Silicon Design Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering, digital logic design, and semiconductor fundamentals, typically supported by a relevant degree. Proficiency with hardware description languages (such as Verilog or VHDL), EDA tools (like Synopsys or Cadence), and simulation software is commonly required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective teamwork are essential soft skills for success in this role. These skills are crucial for accurately designing, verifying, and collaborating on complex integrated circuits that meet performance and reliability standards.

What are some common challenges faced by Silicon Design Engineers during the chip development process?

Silicon Design Engineers often encounter challenges such as meeting tight project deadlines, ensuring design accuracy, and coordinating with cross-functional teams like verification and physical design. Debugging complex design issues and optimizing for power, performance, and area constraints are also common hurdles. Additionally, adapting to rapidly evolving technologies and tools requires continuous learning and flexibility. Effective collaboration and clear communication are essential for overcoming these challenges and delivering high-quality silicon products.

What is Silicon Design Engineering?

Silicon Design Engineering is the process of designing and developing integrated circuits (ICs), commonly known as chips or microchips, that are used in electronic devices. Silicon design engineers work on the architecture, logic design, verification, and physical layout of these chips, ensuring they meet performance, power, and functionality requirements. Their work is crucial in industries like consumer electronics, computing, automotive, and telecommunications, where advanced semiconductor technology is essential. This field requires strong knowledge in electrical engineering, computer architecture, and specialized software tools for chip design.

What is the difference between Silicon Design Engineering vs ASIC Design Engineer?

AspectSilicon Design EngineeringASIC Design Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering or Computer EngineeringBachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering
Work EnvironmentDesign labs, CAD tools, collaboration with cross-functional teamsDesign teams, simulation environments, hardware testing
Industry UsageUsed across semiconductor companies, integrated circuit firmsPrimarily in ASIC development for various industries

Silicon Design Engineering focuses on designing and verifying the physical silicon chips, while ASIC Design Engineers specialize in creating specific application-specific integrated circuits. Both roles require similar credentials and often work in overlapping environments, but their focus areas differ within the chip development process.

More about Silicon Design Engineering jobs
What cities are hiring for Silicon Design Engineering jobs? Cities with the most Silicon Design Engineering job openings:
What states have the most Silicon Design Engineering jobs? States with the most job openings for Silicon Design Engineering jobs include:
Director Silicon Design Engineering

Director Silicon Design Engineering

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc

San Jose, CA • Hybrid

Full-time

Posted 2 days ago


Advanced Micro Devices rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

24th of 137 rated electronics manufacturers


Job description


WHAT YOU DO AT AMD CHANGES EVERYTHING 

At AMD, our mission is to build great products that accelerate next-generation computing experiences—from AI and data centers, to PCs, gaming and embedded systems. Grounded in a culture of innovation and collaboration, we believe real progress comes from bold ideas, human ingenuity and a shared passion to create something extraordinary. When you join AMD, you’ll discover the real differentiator is our culture. We push the limits of innovation to solve the world’s most important challenges—striving for execution excellence, while being direct, humble, collaborative, and inclusive of diverse perspectives. Join us as we shape the future of AI and beyond.  Together, we advance your career.  



The Role 

As ASIC  Director – Chip Lead in our Product Development  team, you will be responsible for providing technical leadership to one or more Adaptive & Embedded Computing Group (AECG) device programs. You will have sign-off responsibility for the technical execution of device programs from conception & planning to release to manufacturing.  Your leadership responsibilities will focus on problem solving in all aspects of the device development cycle  including architecture, RTL, analog & custom design, design for test & manufacturing, verification, physical design & timing closure, physical verification, tapeout and post-silicon validation & qualification.  When a problem does not clearly fall under the banner of one technical team or another it becomes the responsibility of the Chip Lead to bring expertise, experience and diplomacy together to coordinate a  solution. 

The Person 

This position requires a wide breadth of understanding of and experience with ASIC design and development.  It also requires strong interpersonal skills to resolve issues between highly skilled and experienced engineering colleagues.  A successful candidate will work with senior silicon design engineers, architects, and micro-architects from a wide variety of technical teams. The candidate will be attuned to the overall goals and objectives of the program and employ excellent communication and problem-solving skills.  

Qualifications 

  • 15+ years of experience required in ASIC Development Lifecycle.  
    FPGA technical experience is a huge plus  

  • 5+ years of experience in a leadership role with a semiconductor company 

  • Master’s or PhD in Electrical Engineering,Computer Engineering, or related technical field 

  • Post-silicon validation experience is a strong asset 

  • Strong understanding of semiconductor industry and products. Experience working with Product Planning and Marketing teams is preferred.  

Key Responsibilities 

Chip Definition and Feasibility 

  • Chip Definition and Feasibility – identify critical tradeoffs and architectural decisions 

  • Advise on Feasibility including early estimates of Schedule, Cost, Size, Power, Floorplan,  
    and identify key implementation decisions 

  • Serve as Engineering’s interface to Technical Marketing; ensuring the product meets customer needs and supports the required functions and usage modes 

  • Define/identify new device specific functionality (with Marketing and Architecture)  

  • When needed, negotiate for a new, new version or new variant of an IP (with the IP/COE Lead) 

  • Be aware of devices and programs throughout the organization;  foster engineering re-use 

  • Help resolve issues and guide trade-offs that arise during any phase of the program but especially in Physical Design. 

 Execution 

  • The Chip Lead works with one or more Program Managers:  
    The Program Manager tracks that IP and chip development milestones and deliverables are achieved as scheduled. The Chip Lead engages and resolves the problem when some aspect of the program is not meeting its planned objectives. 

  • When engineering or marketing initiates a change to the program, the Chip Lead communicates the change and its consequences to all stakeholders.  


#LI-G11

#LI-HYBRID

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.



Benefits offered are described:  AMD benefits at a glance.

AMD does not accept unsolicited resumes from headhunters, recruitment agencies, or fee-based recruitment services. AMD and its subsidiaries are equal opportunity, inclusive employers and will consider all applicants without regard to age, ancestry, color, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, national origin, race, religion, political and/or third-party affiliation, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.   We encourage applications from all qualified candidates and will accommodate applicants’ needs under the respective laws throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process.

AMD may use Artificial Intelligence to help screen, assess or select applicants for this position.  AMD’s “Responsible AI Policy” is available here.

 

This posting is for an existing vacancy.

Qualifications:

Benefits offered are described:  AMD benefits at a glance.

AMD does not accept unsolicited resumes from headhunters, recruitment agencies, or fee-based recruitment services. AMD and its subsidiaries are equal opportunity, inclusive employers and will consider all applicants without regard to age, ancestry, color, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, national origin, race, religion, political and/or third-party affiliation, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.   We encourage applications from all qualified candidates and will accommodate applicants’ needs under the respective laws throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process.

AMD may use Artificial Intelligence to help screen, assess or select applicants for this position.  AMD’s “Responsible AI Policy” is available here.

 

This posting is for an existing vacancy.

Education:UNAVAILABLEEmployment Type: FULL_TIME