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Vlsi Design Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Retym

VLSI Design Engineer

Austin, TX · On-site

$134K - $138K/yr

As an VLSI Digital Design Engineer/Micro-architect, you'll have the opportunity to design highly sophisticated, innovative new cutting edge communication systems from scratch. Key Responsibilities ...

Insilico

Physical Design Engineer

San Jose, CA

$159K - $164K/yr

Company Description Insilico is an End-to-End specialized VLSI, Embedded Design & Software services ... Job Title: Physical Design Engineer Location: San Jose, CA Experience: 5- 8 Years Duration: 12 ...

iFlow Inc

Physical Design Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$159K - $164K/yr

Job Title: Physical Design Engineer Location:Sunnyvale, CA OR Austin,TX Duration: Long term ... The ideal candidate will be responsible for various aspects of the backend VLSI design flow ...

Insilico

Physical Design Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$159K - $164K/yr

Company Description Insilico is an End-to-End specialized VLSI, Embedded Design & Software services ... Job Title: Physical Design Engineer Location: San Jose, CA Experience: 5- 8 Years Duration: 12 ...

Nvidia

CAD Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · Hybrid

A basic understanding of mosfet device behavior, CMOS layout, and VLSI design. * Excellent ... If you're a creative and autonomous engineer with a real passion for technology, we want to hear ...

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Vlsi Design Engineer information

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$40.5K

$88.2K

$158.5K

How much do vlsi design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for vlsi design engineer in the United States is $88,150.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $68,000.00 and $98,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What engineers make $500,000?

VLSI Design Engineers with extensive experience, advanced skills in chip design, and leadership roles can earn salaries approaching or exceeding $500,000 annually, especially in senior or executive positions at major technology companies. High compensation often includes bonuses, stock options, and other incentives, reflecting the specialized expertise required in semiconductor and integrated circuit design.

What does a VLSI design engineer do?

A VLSI design engineer develops integrated circuits and chips by creating detailed circuit layouts, performing simulations, and verifying functionality using electronic design automation tools. They work closely with teams to ensure designs meet performance, power, and area specifications, often requiring knowledge of digital logic, hardware description languages, and semiconductor manufacturing processes.

Are VLSI engineers in demand?

VLSI design engineers are in high demand due to the growth of semiconductor technology, consumer electronics, and data centers. Skills in hardware description languages like VHDL or Verilog and experience with CAD tools increase employability in this field.

How much do VLSI engineers get paid?

VLSI design engineers typically earn between $80,000 and $150,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and skill level. Entry-level engineers may start at lower salaries, while experienced professionals with specialized skills or certifications can earn higher compensation.

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

AspectVlsi Design EngineerDigital IC Design Engineer
Required SkillsVLSI design, HDL (Verilog/VHDL), circuit simulationDigital circuit design, HDL, FPGA/ASIC design
Work EnvironmentSemiconductor companies, chip design firmsIntegrated circuit design firms, semiconductor industry
CertificationsVLSI design certifications, FPGA designASIC/FPGA design certifications

Both roles focus on digital circuit design within the semiconductor industry, often overlapping in skills like HDL and circuit simulation. However, Vlsi Design Engineers typically work on the entire chip design process, while Digital IC Design Engineers focus more specifically on digital integrated circuit implementation. Understanding these nuances helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

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

To thrive as a VLSI Design Engineer, you need a strong background in electronics, digital logic design, and semiconductor physics, typically supported by a degree in electrical or electronics engineering. Proficiency with hardware description languages (such as Verilog or VHDL), EDA tools (like Cadence or Synopsys), and knowledge of ASIC/FPGA design flows is essential. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork are vital soft skills that set top engineers apart. These competencies are crucial for designing reliable, efficient integrated circuits and collaborating effectively throughout the complex chip development lifecycle.

What are VLSI Design Engineers?

VLSI Design Engineers are professionals who design and develop integrated circuits (ICs) using Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) technology. They work on creating complex microchips that can contain millions or even billions of transistors on a single chip. Their responsibilities include circuit design, verification, testing, and optimization to ensure reliable and efficient performance. VLSI Design Engineers play a crucial role in advancing electronics used in computers, smartphones, automotive systems, and various other digital devices.

What are some common challenges faced by VLSI Design Engineers when working on large-scale chip projects?

VLSI Design Engineers often encounter challenges related to managing complexity, ensuring design accuracy, and meeting stringent performance and power requirements. Coordinating across multidisciplinary teams—such as verification, physical design, and testing—requires strong communication and collaboration skills. Additionally, keeping up with evolving EDA tools and rapidly changing semiconductor technologies can be demanding, but these challenges also provide opportunities to learn and grow within the field.
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What cities are hiring for Vlsi Design Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Vlsi Design Engineer job openings:
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Vlsi Design Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Vlsi Design Engineer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $88,150 per year, or $42.4 per hour.

VLSI Design Engineer

Retym

Austin, TX • On-site

$134K - $138K/yr

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago

Job description

Description
We are looking for talented and experienced VLSI Design Engineers/Micro-architects.
As an VLSI Digital Design Engineer/Micro-architect, you'll have the opportunity to design highly sophisticated, innovative new cutting edge communication systems from scratch.
Key Responsibilities for a VLSI Design Engineer:
Work closely with Algorithm and Architecture teams
  • Understand and translate high-level algorithmic requirements into efficient hardware implementations.

Learn and analyze relevant protocols and standards
  • Interpret protocol specifications (e.g., Ethernet, etc.) and apply them accurately in design.

Participate in all design stages:
  • Micro-architecture definition
  • RTL coding (using Verilog/SystemVerilog)
  • Synthesis-friendly coding and timing-aware design

Collaborate cross-functionally:
  • Verification team: For testbench development, debug support, and functional coverage closure.
  • DFT team: Ensure design is scan-insertable, supports ATPG, BIST, etc.
  • Backend/Physical design team: For floorplanning, timing closure, and routing feedback.

Participate in Design Reviews
  • Present and defend design decisions in peer and formal reviews.

Perform Synthesis and Timing Analysis
  • Generate synthesis constraints (SDC), run synthesis, and analyze timing reports.

Debug and Fix Functional/Timing Issues
  • Collaborate in post-silicon or pre-silicon debug; use waveforms, assertions, and logic analyzers.

Optimize for Area, Power, and Performance (PPA)
  • Identify bottlenecks and opportunities for improvement within RTL.

Documentation
  • Maintain clear design documentation for reusability and reference (e.g., micro-architecture specs, interface docs).

Contribute to IP/SoC Integration
  • Work on integrating design blocks into larger systems and handling system-level interfaces.

Participate in Silicon Bring-up and Validation (optional but valuable)
  • Support bring-up of first silicon and assist with post-silicon validation, if applicable.

Keep up-to-date with Industry Trends and Tools
  • Learn new EDA tools, languages, and methodologies (e.g., CDC, Linting, Formal Verification).

Requirements
Job requirements:
  • +5 years of experience as ASIC/VLSI digital design engineer
  • Strong Verilog/System-Verilog experience
  • Familiar with simulation tools/environments, verification methodologies
  • Strong team player, solid interpersonal skills
  • Entrepreneurial can-do attitude, self-motivated, able to work independently
  • BS/MS in EE/CE from lead universities

Background in one or more of the following domains is an advantage:
  • Familiar with advanced design practices (Clock/Voltage domain crossing, Low Power Design, DFT)
  • Design DSP of oriented blocks
  • Ethernet (100G and above)
  • Scripting experience using several of the following: Python, Perl, TCL

Apply