1

Staff Digital Design Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

We're hiring a Staff Digital Design Engineer at our San Diego, CA ! Salary Range: $139,000 - 232,182 annually (Final offer based on experience, education, skills, and market factors) Why Kyocera?

Staff Digital Design Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$139K - $232K/yr

We're hiring a Staff Digital Design Engineer at our San Diego, CA ! Salary Range: $139,000 - 232,182 annually (Final offer based on experience, education, skills, and market factors) Why Kyocera?

Staff Digital Design Engineer

Chandler, AZ · On-site

$133K/yr

As a Digital Design Engineer, you will be part of a collaborative, cross-functional team developing high-performance mixed-signal integrated circuits used by leading consumer, industrial, audio ...

Staff Digital Design Engineer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$210K - $235K/yr

The digital design engineer will join PsiQuantum's Electronic Sub-Systems team in the development of innovative digital microarchitecture definition, documentation, implementation, and validation for ...

The digital design engineer will join PsiQuantum's Electronic Sub-Systems team in the development of innovative digital microarchitecture definition, documentation, implementation, and validation for ...

Evaluate and participate in improving design and verification methodologies. What We're Looking For Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering or related fields and 3-5+ years of ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Staff Digital Design Engineer information

See salary details

$52.5K

$150.6K

$187.5K

How much do staff digital design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for staff digital design engineer in the United States is $150,620.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $142,000.00 and $171,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Staff Digital Design Engineer vs Digital IC Design Engineer?

AspectStaff Digital Design EngineerDigital IC Design Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering, VLSI, or related fields; experience with digital design toolsBachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering, VLSI, or related fields; proficiency in digital design and verification
Work EnvironmentDesign teams within semiconductor or electronics companies, often in collaborative settingsDesign and development of digital integrated circuits, often in R&D or product teams
Employer & Industry UsageUsed across semiconductor, electronics, and tech companies for senior digital design rolesCommon in semiconductor industry, focusing on digital chip development

The main difference is that a Staff Digital Design Engineer typically holds a senior or lead role with more responsibilities and oversight, while a Digital IC Design Engineer focuses on the core design and development of digital integrated circuits. Both roles require similar technical skills and education, but the staff level involves more leadership and project management.

What does a digital design engineer do?

A digital design engineer develops and tests digital circuits and systems, such as processors, memory devices, and integrated circuits, using hardware description languages like VHDL or Verilog. They work closely with hardware and software teams, utilize simulation tools, and ensure designs meet performance and power specifications throughout the development process.

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

To thrive as a Staff Digital Design Engineer, you need a strong background in digital logic design, hardware description languages (such as Verilog or VHDL), and a relevant engineering degree. Proficiency with simulation tools (like ModelSim or Synopsys), FPGA/ASIC design flows, and familiarity with version control systems are typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective collaboration set top performers apart in this role. These skills ensure the development of reliable, high-performance digital systems and seamless teamwork in complex engineering projects.

What is a Staff Digital Design Engineer?

A Staff Digital Design Engineer is a senior-level professional responsible for designing, developing, and verifying digital circuits and systems, often using hardware description languages like Verilog or VHDL. They play a key role in creating the architecture and implementation of integrated circuits (ICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or system-on-chip (SoC) solutions. Their responsibilities often include collaborating with cross-functional teams, mentoring junior engineers, and ensuring that digital designs meet performance, power, and area requirements. The 'staff' title indicates a higher level of experience and leadership within the engineering team.

How much do digital engineers get paid?

Digital design engineers typically earn a median annual salary ranging from $80,000 to $120,000, depending on experience, location, and industry. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced engineers with specialized skills in FPGA, ASIC, or VHDL can earn higher salaries, often supplemented by bonuses and benefits.

What engineers make $500,000?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as software engineering, hardware engineering, or systems architecture can earn $500,000 or more annually, especially with experience, advanced skills, and in high-demand industries like technology or aerospace. Executive or leadership roles in engineering firms may also reach this compensation level. Compensation often includes base salary, bonuses, and stock options.

What are some common challenges faced by Staff Digital Design Engineers when working on complex integrated circuits?

Staff Digital Design Engineers often encounter challenges such as balancing power, performance, and area (PPA) trade-offs while meeting tight project deadlines. Managing the complexity of large-scale digital designs often requires close collaboration with verification, physical design, and firmware teams to ensure seamless integration and functionality. Additionally, keeping up with evolving EDA tools and methodologies is crucial to maintaining efficiency and delivering high-quality designs. Effective communication and proactive problem-solving are essential skills for overcoming these challenges and driving successful project outcomes.

What is a staff design engineer?

A staff design engineer is a senior technical role responsible for leading complex engineering projects, developing innovative designs, and providing technical guidance to teams. They typically possess advanced skills in design tools, engineering principles, and may hold certifications such as Professional Engineer (PE). This role often involves collaboration across departments and a focus on technical excellence and problem-solving.
More about Staff Digital Design Engineer jobs

Staff Digital Design Engineer

Kyocera

San Diego, CA

$139K - $232K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 14 days ago


Job description

Join Kyocera International, Inc.
We’re hiring a Staff Digital Design Engineer at our San Diego, CA!

Salary Range: $139,000 - 232,182 annually
(Final offer based on experience, education, skills, and market factors)

Why Kyocera?
With nearly 80,000 employees worldwide, Kyocera is a global leader in advanced ceramic technologies used in aerospace, automotive, medical, and semiconductor industries. Our materials power everything from smartphones to space shuttles — and we’re just getting started.

What Makes Us Stand Out?
We don’t just offer jobs — we offer careers with purpose, stability, and growth. Here’s what you can expect:

Generous Time Off

  • 3 weeks of vacation to start (120 hours/year)
  • 10 paid holidays annually

Financial Wellness

  • Competitive pay
  • 401(k) with company match
  • Employer-paid pension plan

Comprehensive Health Coverage

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Investing in You

  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Paid time off to volunteer
  • Flexible schedules

Work-Life Balance & Culture

  • Onsite gyms, walking tracks, and employee gardens at larger locations
  • Long-tenured team (many with 30+ years of service!)
  • Inclusive and diverse workforce
  • A company philosophy rooted in doing the right thing as a human being

Our Philosophy
Kyocera’s culture is deeply inspired by our founder, Dr. Kazuo Inamori. His values guide our decisions and shape our workplace. Learn more about our guiding principles here:

Kyocera Values

Ready to Make a Difference?
Apply today and become part of a team that’s shaping the future — one innovation at a time.


RFE5682 Staff Digital Design Engineer
Job Description


Exempt: Yes
Safety Sensitive: No
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF POSITION
The Staff Digital Design Engineer will contribute to the development of advanced phased array antenna modules and high-performance communication systems. This role combines system-level digital design involvement of Phase Array Antenna Modules with hands-on digital ASIC/SoC development, including RTL design, verification, subsystem integration, and silicon implementation support.

Have a strong background in digital design and SoC development, along with an interest in working across system, firmware, and physical design domains.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  1. Design and implement digital subsystems for phased array and communication system applications
  2. Develop high-quality RTL (SystemVerilog) for control and data path logic
  3. Participate in system architecture and partitioning, collaborating with RF, firmware, and system teams
  4. Integrate processor-based subsystems (e.g., RISC-V) into complex SoC designs
  5. Collaborate with firmware teams supporting embedded software development (C)
  6. Implement and support interfaces such as:
    1. SPI / QSPI
    2. High-speed serial interfaces (e.g., JESD204B/C or similar)
  7. Support verification activities and contribute to adoption of UVM and/or formal methodologies
  8. Work closely with physical design teams to:
    1. Analyze and resolve timing issues
    2. Support synthesis and place-and-route flows
    3. Develop and implement engineering change orders (ECOs)
  9. Participate in system bring-up, validation, and debug

Perform any other related duties as required or assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

RTL design using SystemVerilog (or Verilog)

Simulation, debugging, and verification workflows

Experience with SoC integration including processor subsystems, preferably RISC-V

Familiarity with embedded software interaction, including C programming

Experience with:

Timing analysis and closure

Synthesis and backend design collaboration

ECO generation and implementation

Working knowledge of common hardware interfaces (SPI, QSPI, high-speed serial links)

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

6 + years of experience in digital ASIC/SoC design
ADDITIONAL SKILLS

Strong problem-solving and debugging skills

Ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams

Clear communication and documentation skills

 Interest in both system-level and implementation-level design challenges

 PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES
Not indicated.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
There are no harmful environmental conditions that are present for this position.
The noise level in the work environment is not indicated.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The above statements are intended to describe the work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required. The duties and responsibilities of this position are subject to change and other duties may be assigned or removed at any time.  This position may require exposure to information subject to US Export Control regulations, i.e.: the International Traffic and Arms Regulations (ITAR) or Export Administration Regulations (EAR). All applicants must be US persons within the meaning of US regulations.
Kyocera International, Inc. values diversity in its workforce, and is proud to be an AAP/EEO employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or on the basis of disability.
If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process, or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact Kyocera International, Inc. Human Resources team directly.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.