H-1B Visa Silicon Design Engineer Jobs

H-1B visa jobs for Silicon Design Engineers are concentrated at semiconductor companies and fabless chip designers that routinely sponsor foreign nationals in this specialty occupation. The role requires a bachelor's degree or higher in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a closely related field, and the LCA your employer files with DOL must list each worksite where you'll work.

Find H-1B Visa Silicon Design Engineer Jobs

Overview

Open Jobs32+
Work Type88% On-site
Top LocationSanta Clara, CA
Most JobsAMD

Showing 5 of 32+ Silicon Design Engineer jobs

Sr. Silicon Design Engineer
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Added 2d ago
Sr. Silicon Design Engineer
AMD
Austin, Texas
Specialized Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Manufacturing Engineering
On-Site
Master's
5,001-10,000

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Silicon Physical Design Engineer V
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Added 1w ago
Silicon Physical Design Engineer V
Fresh Consulting
Remote
Specialized Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Manufacturing Engineering
$75 - $115/hr
Remote (US)
Bachelor's
201-500

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Silicon Co-Design Engineer
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Added 2w ago
Silicon Co-Design Engineer
NVIDIA
Santa Clara, California
Specialized Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
$116k - $219k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Lead Silicon Photonics Design Engineer
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Added 4mo ago
Lead Silicon Photonics Design Engineer
Coherent Corp.
Horsham, Pennsylvania
Specialized Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
$101k - $172k/yr
Hybrid
Doctorate
10,000+

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Silicon Photonics Design Engineer
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Added 5mo ago
Silicon Photonics Design Engineer
Nokia
New York, New York
Specialized Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
On-Site
Master's

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Tips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Silicon Design Engineer

Align your credentials to SOC codes

Silicon Design Engineers typically map to SOC 17-2061 (Electrical Engineers) or 17-2064 (Computer Hardware Engineers). Confirm which code your target employer uses by checking O*NET, then make sure your degree transcript and resume reflect the same field-specific coursework that justifies the specialty occupation classification.

Verify prevailing wage before negotiating

Use OFLC Wage Search to look up the Level I through Level IV prevailing wages for your target SOC code and worksite ZIP code. Your H-1B visa LCA must certify a wage at or above that threshold, so knowing the floor before you get an offer protects you from accidentally accepting a below-compliant salary.

Find sponsors through verified LCA history

Search Migrate Mate to browse Silicon Design Engineer roles at employers with confirmed H-1B LCA filing history. DOL disclosure data shows which companies have sponsored this exact occupation, so you can skip outreach to employers who have no track record sponsoring chip design roles.

Ask about multi-site LCA coverage early

If the role involves work at a customer fab, an external test facility, or a second office, your employer must file a separate certified LCA for each worksite. Raise this during offer negotiations so your employer's immigration counsel can prepare the additional filings before your start date.

Time your petition around cap-gap risk

If you're transitioning from F-1 OPT to H-1B, your cap-gap authorization ends on September 30 regardless of petition approval timing. Confirm with your employer that the I-129 is filed well before your OPT expires and that USCIS acknowledges receipt, so you have documented status continuity.

Document design tools and EDA software proficiency

USCIS adjudicators reviewing Silicon Design Engineer petitions sometimes issue RFEs questioning specialty occupation status. A strong support letter names the specific EDA tools, HDL languages, and silicon IP workflows your role requires, tying each to your degree-level training rather than on-the-job learning alone.

H-1B Visa Silicon Design Engineer: Frequently Asked Questions

Does a Silicon Design Engineer role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?

Yes. Silicon Design Engineer roles typically qualify as a specialty occupation because they require at least a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a directly related field. The position involves complex IC architecture, RTL design, or physical implementation work that cannot be performed without that specific technical foundation. USCIS expects the job description and employer support letter to explicitly connect the degree requirement to the actual duties.

Which employers sponsor H-1B visas for Silicon Design Engineers?

Semiconductor companies, fabless chip designers, and large technology firms with in-house silicon teams are the most active H-1B sponsors for this occupation. DOL LCA disclosure data shows which specific employers have certified positions in silicon design. Migrate Mate surfaces that filing history by role, so you can identify and apply to employers with a documented track record sponsoring this occupation.

What happens to my H-1B status if my employer is acquired by another chip company?

If the acquiring company qualifies as a successor-in-interest and assumes the liabilities of the original petitioner, your H-1B status and I-129 approval may carry over without a new petition. USCIS evaluates whether the terms and conditions of employment remain the same. Your employer's immigration counsel should confirm the succession analysis before the acquisition closes, since a material change in duties or worksite still requires an amended petition.

Can I work at a customer site or external fab on the same H-1B?

Only if your employer filed a certified LCA that covers that specific worksite location. Each physical location where you perform work must be listed on a valid LCA. Temporarily working at an unlisted fab or customer facility, even for tape-out support or bring-up activities, without an amended or new LCA puts both you and your employer out of compliance with DOL rules.

How long does H-1B status last for a Silicon Design Engineer, and what are the extension options?

H-1B status is initially granted for up to three years and can be extended to a maximum of six years. Beyond six years, extensions in one-year or three-year increments are available if your employer has filed a PERM labor certification or an I-140 immigrant petition that has been pending or approved for at least 365 days. The extension pathway depends on your place in the employment-based green card backlog, which varies significantly by country of birth.