Design Engineer Jobs in California
Design engineer jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in aerospace and defense, semiconductor and consumer electronics, medical devices, and automotive systems, with openings at every level from entry-level drafters to principal engineers. The largest hiring metros are the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego, where established employers like Lockheed Martin, Apple, and Qualcomm maintain large engineering workforces and hire design engineers across mechanical, electrical, and systems disciplines. California's density of hardware startups and defense contractors keeps demand for CAD proficiency, systems integration, and product development experience consistently high. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Our award-winning culture embraces a bold vision of where technology can take us and a passion for tackling challenging problems with industry-first solutions. We believe that when people feel a sense of belonging, they can be more creative, innovative, and thrive at all points in their careers.
We are seeking a highly skilled R&D Engineer to develop next-generation layout automation technologies for RFIC, analog, and microwave design applications. This role combines deep expertise in parameterized cell (PCell) development, RFIC layout generation, circuit simulation, design optimization, and machine learning to accelerate semiconductor design productivity. The successful candidate will contribute to intelligent design automation workflows spanning layout synthesis, simulation-driven optimization, surrogate modeling, and AI-assisted design generation.
- Develop advanced PCells, Python-based cells, and automated layout generation capabilities for RFIC, microwave, and analog components.
- Design and implement layout automation solutions including geometry generation, placement, routing, symmetry enforcement, design-rule-aware synthesis, and EM-aware design flows.
- Integrate layout automation with circuit and EM simulation environments to enable automated design optimization, parameter exploration, and design-space analysis.
- Develop intelligent optimization frameworks leveraging machine learning, surrogate modeling, Bayesian optimization, and reinforcement learning techniques to accelerate design convergence.
- Build scalable software solutions in Python and C++ that support next-generation AI-assisted semiconductor design workflows.
- Collaborate with RFIC designers, modeling experts, and software engineers to deliver production-quality EDA capabilities that improve design productivity and product performance.
- MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, EDA/CAD, or related discipline.
- Strong hands-on experience in RFIC, analog, microwave, or mixed-signal design.
- Deep expertise in layout automation, parameterized layout generation, and PCell development.
- Strong understanding of semiconductor layout methodologies, design rules, physical verification, and EM-aware design practices.
- Experience developing software using Python and/or C++.
- Strong understanding of computational geometry, algorithms, and software architecture.
- Experience with circuit simulation, optimization workflows, and semiconductor design automation tools.
- Proven problem-solving and analytical skills with the ability to translate complex engineering workflows into scalable automation solutions.
- Experience with RFIC passive and active component design including inductors, transformers, transmission lines, filters, matching networks, mixers, and power amplifiers.
- Experience with machine learning frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, or scikit-learn.
- Knowledge of surrogate modeling, design-space exploration, Bayesian optimization, and reinforcement learning.
- Familiarity with ADS, Cadence Virtuoso, EM simulation tools, or related EDA platforms.
- Experience building AI-assisted engineering applications and intelligent automation workflows.
- Experience working in Agile software development environments.
The level of role will be based on applicable experience, education and skills; Most offers will be between the minimum and the midpoint of the Salary Range listed below.
CA pay range: MIN $129,450- MAX $215,740
Note: For other locations, pay ranges will vary by region
- Medical, dental and vision
- Health Savings Account
- Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
- Life, Accident, Disability insurance
- Business Travel Accident and Business Travel Health
- 401(k) Plan
- Flexible Time Off, Paid Holidays
- Paid Family Leave
- Discounts, Perks
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Adoption Assistance
- ESPP (Employee Stock Purchase Plan)
- Restricted Stock Units
Careers Privacy Statement
Keysight Technologies Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other protected categories under all applicable laws.
Our award-winning culture embraces a bold vision of where technology can take us and a passion for tackling challenging problems with industry-first solutions. We believe that when people feel a sense of belonging, they can be more creative, innovative, and thrive at all points in their careers.
We are seeking a highly skilled R&D Engineer to develop next-generation layout automation technologies for RFIC, analog, and microwave design applications. This role combines deep expertise in parameterized cell (PCell) development, RFIC layout generation, circuit simulation, design optimization, and machine learning to accelerate semiconductor design productivity. The successful candidate will contribute to intelligent design automation workflows spanning layout synthesis, simulation-driven optimization, surrogate modeling, and AI-assisted design generation.
- Develop advanced PCells, Python-based cells, and automated layout generation capabilities for RFIC, microwave, and analog components.
- Design and implement layout automation solutions including geometry generation, placement, routing, symmetry enforcement, design-rule-aware synthesis, and EM-aware design flows.
- Integrate layout automation with circuit and EM simulation environments to enable automated design optimization, parameter exploration, and design-space analysis.
- Develop intelligent optimization frameworks leveraging machine learning, surrogate modeling, Bayesian optimization, and reinforcement learning techniques to accelerate design convergence.
- Build scalable software solutions in Python and C++ that support next-generation AI-assisted semiconductor design workflows.
- Collaborate with RFIC designers, modeling experts, and software engineers to deliver production-quality EDA capabilities that improve design productivity and product performance.
- MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, EDA/CAD, or related discipline.
- Strong hands-on experience in RFIC, analog, microwave, or mixed-signal design.
- Deep expertise in layout automation, parameterized layout generation, and PCell development.
- Strong understanding of semiconductor layout methodologies, design rules, physical verification, and EM-aware design practices.
- Experience developing software using Python and/or C++.
- Strong understanding of computational geometry, algorithms, and software architecture.
- Experience with circuit simulation, optimization workflows, and semiconductor design automation tools.
- Proven problem-solving and analytical skills with the ability to translate complex engineering workflows into scalable automation solutions.
- Experience with RFIC passive and active component design including inductors, transformers, transmission lines, filters, matching networks, mixers, and power amplifiers.
- Experience with machine learning frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, or scikit-learn.
- Knowledge of surrogate modeling, design-space exploration, Bayesian optimization, and reinforcement learning.
- Familiarity with ADS, Cadence Virtuoso, EM simulation tools, or related EDA platforms.
- Experience building AI-assisted engineering applications and intelligent automation workflows.
- Experience working in Agile software development environments.
The level of role will be based on applicable experience, education and skills; Most offers will be between the minimum and the midpoint of the Salary Range listed below.
CA pay range: MIN $129,450- MAX $215,740
Note: For other locations, pay ranges will vary by region
- Medical, dental and vision
- Health Savings Account
- Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
- Life, Accident, Disability insurance
- Business Travel Accident and Business Travel Health
- 401(k) Plan
- Flexible Time Off, Paid Holidays
- Paid Family Leave
- Discounts, Perks
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Adoption Assistance
- ESPP (Employee Stock Purchase Plan)
- Restricted Stock Units
Careers Privacy Statement
Keysight Technologies Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other protected categories under all applicable laws.
See All 780+ Design Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Design Engineer JobsDesign Engineer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Design Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Tesla40
- Google32
- Apple30
- Qualcomm30
- Northrop Grumman21
Top Industries Hiring
- Electronics & Hardware27
- Technology & Software9
- Manufacturing8
- Consulting & Professional Services8
- Staffing & Recruiting3
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in design engineer jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, or related engineering discipline required
- Proficiency in CAD software such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or CATIA
- Experience with GD&T, engineering drawings, and tolerance analysis
- Familiarity with product lifecycle management and design-for-manufacturing principles
- Knowledge of industry standards relevant to aerospace, medical devices, or consumer electronics
- Strong cross-functional collaboration skills with manufacturing, test, and systems teams
Design Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a design engineer in California?
Most design engineer roles in California require a bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, or systems engineering from an ABET-accredited program. While no single state license is required to work as a design engineer, engineers who sign off on public-works or infrastructure documents must hold a Professional Engineer license issued by the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists. For product and hardware roles in private industry, employers prioritize CAD skills and relevant internship or co-op experience.
Which companies hire design engineers in California?
Employers hiring design engineers in California right now include Tesla, Google, and Apple, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's concentration of aerospace primes, semiconductor firms, and medical device manufacturers means design engineer demand is spread across both large corporations and well-funded hardware startups.
Which California cities have the most design engineer jobs?
The cities with the most design engineer openings in California are San Jose, San Diego, and Sunnyvale. The Bay Area leads because of its dense hardware and semiconductor ecosystem anchored by companies like Apple, Intel, and NVIDIA, while Los Angeles and San Diego draw heavily from aerospace and defense contractors such as Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, and Raytheon, which maintain large engineering campuses in both metros.
Are there remote design engineer jobs in California?
Yes, but they're less common than in purely software-focused fields, since design engineering typically involves lab work, prototyping, and hands-on collaboration with manufacturing teams. About 40% of design engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and these tend to concentrate in systems engineering, CAD review, and documentation roles where physical presence is not required daily.
How can I get hired as a design engineer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying to new-graduate or associate engineer programs at California's large aerospace and defense employers, including Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, and L3Harris, all of which run structured rotational or early-career programs in Southern California. Entry-level roles with titles like junior mechanical engineer, CAD technician, or product development associate are common stepping stones. A strong portfolio of SolidWorks or CATIA projects from university coursework, an internship with a Bay Area hardware company or San Diego defense contractor, and progress toward an EIT certification through the California Board for Professional Engineers all give candidates a measurable edge.
Where can I find and apply to design engineer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to design engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings from employers hiring now. Find roles that fit your experience and location and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 780+ Design Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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