Ic Design Engineer Jobs in California
Ic Design Engineer jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in semiconductor design, consumer electronics, mobile SoC development, and defense electronics across a market that runs from fresh graduates through distinguished engineers. The heaviest hiring is in Silicon Valley, San Diego, and Los Angeles, where companies such as Qualcomm, Broadcom, and Intel maintain large design centers and regularly fill roles in analog, mixed-signal, and RF circuit design. Expertise in CMOS layout, high-speed SerDes, or power management ICs gives candidates a clear edge in California's highly competitive talent pool. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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At Cadence, we hire and develop leaders and innovators who want to make an impact on the world of technology.
The Principal Analog IC Designer is responsible for the design and development of analog/mixed signal IC circuit blocks from initial concept/specification through final verification of conformance to customer specifications.
- Candidate’s background should include a minimum of 7 years of experience in CMOS SerDes or high-speed I/O IC design and development.
- Working knowledge of a set of common SerDes standards and their electrical requirements is a plus.
- Must have a thorough understanding of jitter and signal equalization techniques
- Proficient design experience in most of the following SerDes circuit blocks: Driver; Receiver; Serializer; Deserializer; Phase Interpolator; Low jitter PLL; High Speed Clock Distribution; ADC and DAC; Bias and Bandgap; and Voltage Regulators
- Excellent problem solving skills, analog aptitude, good communication skills, and ability to work cooperatively in a team environment
- Position requires proficiency in using CAD tools for circuit simulation, layout, and physical verification
- Cadence tool experience, lab test experience, and design experience at >10Gbps and in <28nm technologies are a plus
- MS or PhD in EE
The annual salary range for California is $136,500 to $253,500. You may also be eligible to receive incentive compensation: bonus, equity, and benefits. Sales positions generally offer a competitive On Target Earnings (OTE) incentive compensation structure. Please note that the salary range is a guideline and compensation may vary based on factors such as qualifications, skill level, competencies and work location. Our benefits programs include: paid vacation and paid holidays, 401(k) plan with employer match, employee stock purchase plan, a variety of medical, dental and vision plan options, and more.
We’re doing work that matters. Help us solve what others can’t.
At Cadence, we hire and develop leaders and innovators who want to make an impact on the world of technology.
The Principal Analog IC Designer is responsible for the design and development of analog/mixed signal IC circuit blocks from initial concept/specification through final verification of conformance to customer specifications.
- Candidate’s background should include a minimum of 7 years of experience in CMOS SerDes or high-speed I/O IC design and development.
- Working knowledge of a set of common SerDes standards and their electrical requirements is a plus.
- Must have a thorough understanding of jitter and signal equalization techniques
- Proficient design experience in most of the following SerDes circuit blocks: Driver; Receiver; Serializer; Deserializer; Phase Interpolator; Low jitter PLL; High Speed Clock Distribution; ADC and DAC; Bias and Bandgap; and Voltage Regulators
- Excellent problem solving skills, analog aptitude, good communication skills, and ability to work cooperatively in a team environment
- Position requires proficiency in using CAD tools for circuit simulation, layout, and physical verification
- Cadence tool experience, lab test experience, and design experience at >10Gbps and in <28nm technologies are a plus
- MS or PhD in EE
The annual salary range for California is $136,500 to $253,500. You may also be eligible to receive incentive compensation: bonus, equity, and benefits. Sales positions generally offer a competitive On Target Earnings (OTE) incentive compensation structure. Please note that the salary range is a guideline and compensation may vary based on factors such as qualifications, skill level, competencies and work location. Our benefits programs include: paid vacation and paid holidays, 401(k) plan with employer match, employee stock purchase plan, a variety of medical, dental and vision plan options, and more.
We’re doing work that matters. Help us solve what others can’t.
See All 37 Ic Design Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Ic Design Engineer JobsIc Design Engineer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Ic Design Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Electronics & Hardware14
- Technology & Software6
- Science & Research3
- Aerospace & Defense2
- Manufacturing1
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in ic design engineer jobs across California.
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field required
- Proficiency in Cadence Virtuoso or Synopsys custom IC design tools
- Hands-on experience with analog, mixed-signal, or RF circuit design
- Solid understanding of CMOS process nodes and device physics
- Experience with simulation tools such as SPICE or Spectre for circuit verification
- Strong collaboration skills for working within cross-functional silicon development teams
Ic Design Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become an ic design engineer in California?
The standard path into ic design engineering in California starts with a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, though most competitive roles at California semiconductor companies prefer or require a Master's degree focused on analog, digital, or mixed-signal design. California does not require a state-issued license to work as an ic design engineer in private industry. Building a strong design portfolio, completing academic tape-outs, and pursuing internships at California fab-adjacent companies are the practical steps that move candidates from education into hired roles.
How much do ic design engineers make in California?
Ic design engineers 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 ic design engineers in California?
Employers hiring ic design engineers in California right now include Broadcom, Apple, and NEURALINK, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. California's dense cluster of fabless semiconductor firms, defense contractors, and consumer electronics giants makes it one of the deepest hiring markets for this role nationwide.
Which California cities have the most ic design engineer jobs?
The California cities with the most ic design engineer openings are San Jose, San Diego, and Santa Clara. Silicon Valley dominates due to its concentration of fabless semiconductor headquarters and hyperscaler chip teams, San Diego draws heavy hiring from Qualcomm's mobile and RF design divisions, and Los Angeles reflects aerospace and defense electronics demand from contractors based across the greater metro.
Are there remote ic design engineer jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. About 15% of ic design engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, which reflects the hands-on lab and EDA tool infrastructure most design work requires. The portions of the role most likely to be done remotely are RTL coding, simulation, and verification, while layout, bring-up, and characterization almost always require on-site access.
How can I get hired as an ic design engineer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a Master's program with a tape-out project, which California universities including UC Berkeley, UCLA, and UC San Diego structure specifically to produce job-ready candidates. Large California employers such as Qualcomm and Broadcom run structured new-graduate hiring programs that absorb candidates directly from these programs. Lateral entry from FPGA design, PCB design, or embedded firmware roles is also common, and candidates who add Cadence Virtuoso proficiency or a public design portfolio close the gap faster than those without demonstrable tool experience.
Where can I find and apply to ic design engineer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to ic design engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across semiconductor, defense electronics, consumer hardware, and related sectors. Find the roles that fit your background and apply directly from each listing.
See All 37 Ic Design Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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