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Tapeout Design Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Astera Labs

Tech Lead Design Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$185K - $240K/yr

Drive structured, data-driven design decisions in support of aggressive tapeout schedules Basic Qualifications * Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field ...

OMNIVISION

Analog Design Engineer

Santa Clara, CA

Participate in design reviews, tapeout signoff, and lab characterization, contributing to silicon bring-up and performance optimization. Requirements: Master's degree in Electrical Engineering ...

OMNIVISION

Analog Design Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$156K - $160K/yr

... in design reviews, tapeout signoff, and lab characterization, contributing to silicon bring-up and performance optimization. Requirements: Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer ...

OMNIVISION

Analog Design Engineer

Santa Clara, CA

$156K - $160K/yr

... in design reviews, tapeout signoff, and lab characterization, contributing to silicon bring-up and performance optimization. Requirements: Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer ...

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Tapeout Design Engineer information

What is a tapeout design engineer?

Tapeout Design Engineers are professionals responsible for finalizing the layout and design of integrated circuits (ICs) before manufacturing. They ensure that all design specifications are met, and that the chip layout is error-free and ready for fabrication. Their work involves collaborating with design, verification, and foundry teams to deliver a manufacturable design, often using tools for physical verification, design rule checking, and layout-versus-schematic checks. This role is critical in the semiconductor industry, as any errors at tapeout can result in costly manufacturing delays. Tapeout Design Engineers play a key role in bringing new microchips from concept to production.

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

To thrive as a Tapeout Design Engineer, you need a solid background in semiconductor physics, digital/analog circuit design, and a relevant engineering degree. Proficiency with EDA tools such as Cadence, Synopsys, and experience with physical verification, DRC/LVS checks, and scripting languages like Python or TCL are typically required. Strong attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and effective communication are valuable soft skills in this role. These skills and qualities are crucial for ensuring error-free silicon fabrication, efficient workflow, and successful collaboration across engineering teams.

What are some common challenges tapeout design engineers face during the tapeout process, and how can they be addressed?

Tapeout Design Engineers often encounter tight deadlines, last-minute design changes, and the need to coordinate between multiple teams such as layout, verification, and fabrication. Addressing these challenges typically involves proactive communication, thorough planning, and the use of automated verification tools to catch errors early. Effective collaboration and robust documentation help ensure that any issues are quickly identified and resolved, minimizing the risk of costly delays or rework in the fabrication stage.

What is the difference between Tapeout Design Engineer vs ASIC Design Engineer?

AspectTapeout Design EngineerASIC Design Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering or related field; knowledge of EDA toolsBachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering or related field; strong digital design skills
Work EnvironmentSemiconductor companies, chip design firms, EDA tool providersSemiconductor companies, integrated circuit design firms
Industry UsageFocuses on final chip layout and manufacturing readinessDesigns the digital architecture and logic of chips

While both roles require a background in electrical engineering and familiarity with EDA tools, a Tapeout Design Engineer specializes in preparing the final chip layout for manufacturing, ensuring design rules are met. An ASIC Design Engineer focuses on creating the digital logic and architecture of integrated circuits. The roles often collaborate but differ mainly in their stage of the design process and specific responsibilities.

What are popular job titles related to Tapeout Design Engineer jobs in California?

For Tapeout Design Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Tapeout Design Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Tapeout Design Engineer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Tapeout Design Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Tapeout Design Engineer job openings:

Tapeout Design Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Tapeout Design Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution.

Senior Lead Memory Circuit Design Engineer

W3Global Inc.

Sunnyvale, CA • On-site

$175K - $200K/yr

Full-time, Temporary

Posted yesterday

New

Job description

Senior Lead Memory Circuit Design Engineer - Mixed-Signal / NVM

Location: Mesa, AZ (preferred; CA candidates considered)
Role:
Lead end-to-end memory subsystem design from architecture through tapeout for advanced mixed-signal SoCs, collaborating with Analog, Digital, Verification, and Layout teams.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Own memory architecture, circuit design, verification, signoff, and tapeout.

  • Design/optimize memory arrays, sense amplifiers, references, read/write circuits, decoders, and datapaths.

  • Perform SPICE simulations, PVT/temperature sweeps, Monte Carlo, mismatch, and reliability analysis.

  • Review chip-level timing issues, margins, waveforms, and signoff results.

  • Partner with Layout on floorplanning, parasitics, EM/IR, density, antenna, and signoff.

  • Mentor engineers and lead cross-functional execution.

Required Qualifications:

  • BSEE/MSEE/PhD or equivalent.

  • 15+ years of memory circuit design experience, including SRAM and NVM.

  • Multiple successful tapeouts with subsystem/block ownership.

  • Strong mixed-signal, sense amplifier, reference generation, and memory architecture expertise.

  • Experience with Cadence/Synopsys and SPICE tools such as HSPICE, Spectre, or PrimeSim.

  • Strong leadership and mentoring skills.

Preferred:

  • MRAM/RRAM or other resistive/NVM experience.

  • Silicon characterization and post-silicon debug.

  • Crosspoint-style memory architectures.

  • EM/IR, ESD, latch-up, and reliability signoff experience.

Company Description

W3Global was established in 2006 in Fremont, CA with a vision: simplify the recruiting process and develop an industry-disrupting platform to connect candidates with clients. Our cutting-edge Applicant Tracking System enables us to find the right person for the right job, creating value for job seekers and employers. While W3Global initially focused on IT staffing, we have expanded the business to serve many other industries, including accounting and finance, legal, engineering, human resources, government and more.

We’re proud of the investments we’ve made in our team, having grown from four to 1000 employees and evolving into one of the leading recruitment and staffing solution providers in the industry. Our recruiters and account managers are passionate about connecting qualified professionals with the right positions in small, medium, and large companies.

Our Services
W3Global understands the natural ups and downs of an organization’s staffing needs. We are continuously adapting to industry and economic changes to find the right candidates.

We specialize in placing permanent, direct, contract, and temporary positions for companies of any size. Our recruiting services include sourcing, recruiting, screening, interview management, salary negotiations, training, and onboarding.

We are committed to helping organizations redefine their recruitment process by delivering our SaaS-based proprietary application tracking system software.

Our Expertise
W3Global has been delivering staffing solutions for nearly two decades; we know which recruiting strategies work best. Our expert team is committed to developing a customized solution to fit your company’s unique needs.

As a W3Global client, you’ll also receive personalized assistance from a seasoned team of staffing specialists. We are committed to providing both technical support and industry expertise to simplify the hiring process. We know that your time matters. W3Global will help you streamline the hiring process, getting it done and getting it right.

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About W3Global

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

W3Global has been delivering staffing solutions for nearly two decades; we know which recruiting strategies work best. Our expert team is committed to developing a customized solution to fit your company’s unique needs. As a W3Global client, you’ll also receive personalized assistance from a seasoned team of staffing specialists. We are committed to providing both technical support and industry expertise to simplify the hiring process. We know that your time matters. W3Global will help you streamline the hiring process, getting it done and getting it right.

Industry

Recruiting and staffing services

Company size

501 - 1,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Frisco, TX, US

Year founded

2006

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