Design Verification Jobs in California
Design Verification jobs in California are in strong and consistent demand, concentrated in the semiconductor, consumer electronics, and defense electronics sectors at seniority levels from entry-level verification engineer through principal and staff engineer. The heaviest hiring activity is in San Jose, San Diego, and Santa Clara, where companies like Qualcomm, Intel, and Apple maintain large engineering campuses. Functional verification, UVM and SystemVerilog testbench development, and formal verification are the specialties California employers request most often. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Design Verification JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 127+ Design Verification jobs
As a member of our dynamic group, you will have the unrivaled and rewarding opportunity to craft upcoming products that will delight and encourage millions of Apple’s customers every single day. Apple is looking for a talented and motivated Design Verification Intern to be part of a highly talented team. You will be at the heart of the chip design effort collaborating with all disciplines (vertical product model) with critical impact in getting functional products to millions of customers quickly.
Description
- Ensuring the quality of the SOC
- Working closely with the team to review specifications, develop attributes, tests & coverage plans, and define methodology & test benches
- Teaming up with the design and micro-architecture teams to understand the functional and performance goals of the design
- Work independently and manage deliverables to align with the project goals plus support cross- functional engineering efforts
Preferred Qualifications
- Enrolled in BSEE/MSEEorMSCEprogram
- Knowledge of CPU&SOC architecture/design
- Low-level programming of complex computer systems in C/C++/assembly
- Coding in a scripting language, Perl,Python,Ruby,etc.
- Exposure to object oriented programming concepts
- Knowledge of industry standard interfaces, good understanding of Verilog, Verilog simulator and debug
- Strong problem solving and analytical skills
- Strong communication skills combined with team-oriented approaches to own the verification efforts in a specific area of the design
Minimum Qualifications
- Enrolled in BSEE/CS or MSEE/CS program
Pay & Benefits
At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $129,300 and $194,700, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple's discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple's Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You'll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses - including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. Learn more about Apple Benefits
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
As a member of our dynamic group, you will have the unrivaled and rewarding opportunity to craft upcoming products that will delight and encourage millions of Apple’s customers every single day. Apple is looking for a talented and motivated Design Verification Intern to be part of a highly talented team. You will be at the heart of the chip design effort collaborating with all disciplines (vertical product model) with critical impact in getting functional products to millions of customers quickly.
Description
- Ensuring the quality of the SOC
- Working closely with the team to review specifications, develop attributes, tests & coverage plans, and define methodology & test benches
- Teaming up with the design and micro-architecture teams to understand the functional and performance goals of the design
- Work independently and manage deliverables to align with the project goals plus support cross- functional engineering efforts
Preferred Qualifications
- Enrolled in BSEE/MSEEorMSCEprogram
- Knowledge of CPU&SOC architecture/design
- Low-level programming of complex computer systems in C/C++/assembly
- Coding in a scripting language, Perl,Python,Ruby,etc.
- Exposure to object oriented programming concepts
- Knowledge of industry standard interfaces, good understanding of Verilog, Verilog simulator and debug
- Strong problem solving and analytical skills
- Strong communication skills combined with team-oriented approaches to own the verification efforts in a specific area of the design
Minimum Qualifications
- Enrolled in BSEE/CS or MSEE/CS program
Pay & Benefits
At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $129,300 and $194,700, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple's discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple's Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You'll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses - including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. Learn more about Apple Benefits
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
See All 127+ Design Verification Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Design Verification JobsDesign Verification Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Design Verification Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Google15
- Apple12
- Qualcomm10
- AMD9
- Meta5
Top Industries Hiring
- Electronics & Hardware24
- Technology & Software12
- Aerospace & Defense2
- Artificial Intelligence2
- Construction & Real Estate2
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in design verification jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a closely related field
- Proficiency in SystemVerilog and UVM for constrained-random testbench development
- Experience with industry-standard simulation tools such as VCS, Xcelium, or Questa
- Familiarity with formal verification methods and tools including JasperGold or Questa Formal
- Strong understanding of digital logic design, microarchitecture, and hardware description languages
- Experience with scripting languages such as Python or Perl for test automation and coverage analysis
Design Verification Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a design verification in California?
Most design verification roles in California require at least a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or computer science from an accredited program. There is no state-issued license specific to this role, so employers focus on demonstrated skills in SystemVerilog, UVM, and simulation tools. Many California engineers supplement their degree with coursework or projects in digital design and verification methodology, and a strong portfolio of testbench work or silicon tape-out experience is a significant advantage when applying to California semiconductor and electronics companies.
How much do design verifications make in California?
Design verifications in California earn a median of about $160,520 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $97,140 for the lowest 10% to over $225,400 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire design verifications in California?
Employers hiring design verifications in California right now include Google, Apple, and Qualcomm, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's dense concentration of semiconductor companies, fabless chip designers, and consumer electronics firms means design verification is one of the most consistently posted engineering roles across the state.
Which California cities have the most design verification jobs?
The California cities with the most design verification openings are San Jose, Sunnyvale, and Santa Clara. This distribution reflects the Silicon Valley and Bay Area's deep concentration of semiconductor and fabless chip companies, while San Diego's strength is driven by Qualcomm's large verification organization and a cluster of wireless and defense electronics firms that have grown around it.
Are there remote design verification jobs in California?
Yes, but they're less common than in purely software-focused engineering fields, since design verification often requires access to proprietary simulation servers, lab hardware, and secure design databases. About 39% of design verification openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, which is lower than many tech disciplines. Roles focused on pre-silicon simulation and formal verification are the most likely to allow partial remote work, while positions involving emulation platforms or lab-based debugging typically require on-site presence.
How can I get hired as a design verification in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying to new-graduate or associate verification engineer programs at large California semiconductor companies, which recruit directly from California's engineering schools and regularly hire candidates whose only hands-on experience comes from coursework projects or internships. Building a public portfolio of SystemVerilog testbenches on GitHub and completing a capstone project that demonstrates UVM methodology can substitute for professional experience at many California fabless startups. Adjacent roles such as FPGA design assistant, hardware quality assurance technician, or EDA applications support engineer are also common stepping stones into full verification positions at California employers.
Where can I find and apply to design verification jobs in California?
You can find and apply to design verification jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings from employers actively hiring for this role. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience level, preferred metro, and specialty area, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 127+ Design Verification Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Design Verification Jobs