Design Engineer Jobs in San Diego, CA
Design engineer jobs in San Diego are concentrated in the defense, aerospace, and medtech sectors, with strong demand across Kearny Mesa, Sorrento Valley, and the Torrey Pines corridor. Employers actively hiring include Qualcomm, Amazon, and Meta. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
Find Design Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 780+ Design Engineer jobs
Company:
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.Job Area:
Engineering Group, Engineering Group > ASICS EngineeringGeneral Summary:
As a leading technology innovator, Qualcomm pushes the boundaries of what's possible to enable next-generation experiences and drives communication and data processing transformation to help create a smarter, connected future for all.
Qualcomm, the world's second largest fabless semiconductor company and the world leader in wireless ICs powering the majority of 5G devices. Qualcomm is expending and entering new area such as the PC and the Data Center markets.
Qualcomm is looking for bright ASIC engineers with excellent analytical and technical skills. Besides solid ASIC and/or FPGA design experience, this professional need to be a great team player with good communication skill.
This is a great opportunity to join a fast-paced SoC team responsible for RTL Design, flows and methodology for high performance ASICs in the latest process nodes for High Performance Compute and for AI spaces.
With new projects are coming up, it is a wonderful timing to join our team and take part in innovation and in creating new architectures for new technologies.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Science, Engineering, or related field and 2+ years of ASIC design, verification, validation, integration, or related work experience.
Master's degree in Science, Engineering, or related field and 1+ year of ASIC design, verification, validation, integration, or related work experience.
OR
PhD in Science, Engineering, or related field.
An ideal candidate will be capable of:
Proven knowledge in the Server/ Data Center IPs, protocols, and interfaces
Experience in designing arithmetic/computational/machine learning IPs
Great understanding of design techniques for speed and for power efficiency
Oversee definition, design, verification, and documentation for ASIC development for a variety of products
Determine architecture design, logic design, large-scale design integration and system simulation
Experience in developing tools and scripting for process automation is an advantage
Principal Duties & Responsibilities:
Hands-on: Uses tools/applications to execute the architecture and design of SOC according to design protocol provided
Problem-solver: Resolves architecture, design, or verification problems by applying sound ASIC engineering practices with minimal supervision
Design expert: Executes the design and verification strategies according to ASICs, SoC, and IP cores specifications and in alignment with project lead
Analytical skills: Participate and actively contribute on design and architecture reviews, demonstrate analytical skills
Innovative: Identify areas for flow and process improvements through design techniques and through automations
Communication: well communicate within the team and with peer teams, good presentation skills
Team player: regularly collaborate and share-knowledge with other team members to achieve a common goal, step-up in critical times
Feedback: Feedback Silicon learnings to process team, design methodology, IP and SoC design
Preferred Qualifications:
Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or Computer Engineering
5+ years of relevant experience in ASIC design, scripting and architecture
Experience in designing arithmetic/computational/machine learning IPs
Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer. If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation during the application/hiring process, rest assured that Qualcomm is committed to providing an accessible process. You may e-mail disability-accomodations@qualcomm.com or call Qualcomm's toll-free number found here . Upon request, Qualcomm will provide reasonable accommodations to support individuals with disabilities to be able participate in the hiring process. Qualcomm is also committed to making our workplace accessible for individuals with disabilities. (Keep in mind that this email address is used to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. We will not respond here to requests for updates on applications or resume inquiries).
To all Staffing and Recruiting Agencies : Our Careers Site is only for individuals seeking a job at Qualcomm. Staffing and recruiting agencies and individuals being represented by an agency are not authorized to use this site or to submit profiles, applications or resumes, and any such submissions will be considered unsolicited. Qualcomm does not accept unsolicited resumes or applications from agencies. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, Qualcomm employees or any other company location. Qualcomm is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes/applications.
EEO Employer: Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or any other protected classification.
Qualcomm expects its employees to abide by all applicable policies and procedures, including but not limited to security and other requirements regarding protection of Company confidential information and other confidential and/or proprietary information, to the extent those requirements are permissible under applicable law.
Pay range and Other Compensation & Benefits :
$121,800.00 - $182,600.00The above pay scale reflects the broad, minimum to maximum, pay scale for this job code for the location for which it has been posted. Even more importantly, please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Qualcomm. We also offer a competitive annual discretionary bonus program and opportunity for annual RSU grants (employees on sales-incentive plans are not eligible for our annual bonus). In addition, our highly competitive benefits package is designed to support your success at work, at home, and at play. Your recruiter will be happy to discuss all that Qualcomm has to offer – and you can review more details about our US benefits at this link .
If you would like more information about this role, please contact Qualcomm Careers .
Company:
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.Job Area:
Engineering Group, Engineering Group > ASICS EngineeringGeneral Summary:
As a leading technology innovator, Qualcomm pushes the boundaries of what's possible to enable next-generation experiences and drives communication and data processing transformation to help create a smarter, connected future for all.
Qualcomm, the world's second largest fabless semiconductor company and the world leader in wireless ICs powering the majority of 5G devices. Qualcomm is expending and entering new area such as the PC and the Data Center markets.
Qualcomm is looking for bright ASIC engineers with excellent analytical and technical skills. Besides solid ASIC and/or FPGA design experience, this professional need to be a great team player with good communication skill.
This is a great opportunity to join a fast-paced SoC team responsible for RTL Design, flows and methodology for high performance ASICs in the latest process nodes for High Performance Compute and for AI spaces.
With new projects are coming up, it is a wonderful timing to join our team and take part in innovation and in creating new architectures for new technologies.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Science, Engineering, or related field and 2+ years of ASIC design, verification, validation, integration, or related work experience.
Master's degree in Science, Engineering, or related field and 1+ year of ASIC design, verification, validation, integration, or related work experience.
OR
PhD in Science, Engineering, or related field.
An ideal candidate will be capable of:
Proven knowledge in the Server/ Data Center IPs, protocols, and interfaces
Experience in designing arithmetic/computational/machine learning IPs
Great understanding of design techniques for speed and for power efficiency
Oversee definition, design, verification, and documentation for ASIC development for a variety of products
Determine architecture design, logic design, large-scale design integration and system simulation
Experience in developing tools and scripting for process automation is an advantage
Principal Duties & Responsibilities:
Hands-on: Uses tools/applications to execute the architecture and design of SOC according to design protocol provided
Problem-solver: Resolves architecture, design, or verification problems by applying sound ASIC engineering practices with minimal supervision
Design expert: Executes the design and verification strategies according to ASICs, SoC, and IP cores specifications and in alignment with project lead
Analytical skills: Participate and actively contribute on design and architecture reviews, demonstrate analytical skills
Innovative: Identify areas for flow and process improvements through design techniques and through automations
Communication: well communicate within the team and with peer teams, good presentation skills
Team player: regularly collaborate and share-knowledge with other team members to achieve a common goal, step-up in critical times
Feedback: Feedback Silicon learnings to process team, design methodology, IP and SoC design
Preferred Qualifications:
Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or Computer Engineering
5+ years of relevant experience in ASIC design, scripting and architecture
Experience in designing arithmetic/computational/machine learning IPs
Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer. If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation during the application/hiring process, rest assured that Qualcomm is committed to providing an accessible process. You may e-mail disability-accomodations@qualcomm.com or call Qualcomm's toll-free number found here . Upon request, Qualcomm will provide reasonable accommodations to support individuals with disabilities to be able participate in the hiring process. Qualcomm is also committed to making our workplace accessible for individuals with disabilities. (Keep in mind that this email address is used to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. We will not respond here to requests for updates on applications or resume inquiries).
To all Staffing and Recruiting Agencies : Our Careers Site is only for individuals seeking a job at Qualcomm. Staffing and recruiting agencies and individuals being represented by an agency are not authorized to use this site or to submit profiles, applications or resumes, and any such submissions will be considered unsolicited. Qualcomm does not accept unsolicited resumes or applications from agencies. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, Qualcomm employees or any other company location. Qualcomm is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes/applications.
EEO Employer: Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or any other protected classification.
Qualcomm expects its employees to abide by all applicable policies and procedures, including but not limited to security and other requirements regarding protection of Company confidential information and other confidential and/or proprietary information, to the extent those requirements are permissible under applicable law.
Pay range and Other Compensation & Benefits :
$121,800.00 - $182,600.00The above pay scale reflects the broad, minimum to maximum, pay scale for this job code for the location for which it has been posted. Even more importantly, please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Qualcomm. We also offer a competitive annual discretionary bonus program and opportunity for annual RSU grants (employees on sales-incentive plans are not eligible for our annual bonus). In addition, our highly competitive benefits package is designed to support your success at work, at home, and at play. Your recruiter will be happy to discuss all that Qualcomm has to offer – and you can review more details about our US benefits at this link .
If you would like more information about this role, please contact Qualcomm Careers .
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Find Design Engineer JobsDesign Engineer Job Market in San Diego
Who's Hiring
- Qualcomm238
- Amazon43
- Meta33
- Quanta Services33
- Elevate Semiconductor33
Top Industries Hiring
- Electronics & Hardware22
- Consulting & Professional Services22
- Construction & Real Estate11
Design Engineer Jobs in San Diego: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a design engineer job in San Diego?
Target the defense contractors, aerospace firms, and medical device companies that anchor San Diego's engineering economy, particularly those clustered in Kearny Mesa, Sorrento Valley, and the Miramar corridor. Candidates with CAD proficiency, systems design experience, or a background in electromechanical or biomedical products stand out locally. Networking through San Diego's engineering and defense industry events also opens doors that online applications alone do not.
Which companies hire design engineers in San Diego?
San Diego design engineer roles are posted by Qualcomm, Amazon, and Meta and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. San Diego's hiring base leans heavily toward defense primes, medical device manufacturers, and aerospace suppliers, with a growing presence from clean energy and autonomous systems startups.
Are there remote design engineer jobs in San Diego?
Yes, though with limits, since most design engineer roles involve hands-on prototyping, lab access, or hardware collaboration that requires on-site presence. About 36% of design engineer openings tied to San Diego are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those arrangements tend to apply to documentation-heavy, systems integration, or software-adjacent design roles rather than product development positions.
How can I get a design engineer job in San Diego with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in San Diego is targeting contract or junior design roles at medical device companies and defense subcontractors, which regularly bring on early-career engineers for CAD drafting, component testing, and design documentation. UC San Diego and SDSU co-op programs place students directly with local employers. Building a portfolio of SolidWorks or AutoCAD projects and pursuing a CSWA certification strengthens applications for these entry-level openings.
Which industries hire the most design engineers in San Diego?
Most design engineer openings in San Diego sit in Electronics & Hardware, Consulting & Professional Services, and Construction & Real Estate, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. San Diego's concentration of defense contracts, FDA-regulated medtech firms, and aerospace suppliers creates sustained demand for design engineers across all experience levels.
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