OPT Ic Design Engineer Jobs
IC design engineer jobs on OPT are available across semiconductor companies, fabless startups, and defense contractors. Most roles require STEM OPT eligibility, giving you up to three years of work authorization. Employers typically sponsor H-1B visa after OPT, making this one of the stronger visa pathways in hardware engineering.
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Get Access To All JobsJob Title: Analog/RF IC Design Engineer
Posting Start Date: 10/27/26
Job Location(s): Ft Lauderdale
If you are looking for a challenging and exciting career in the world of technology, then look no further. Skyworks is an innovator of high-performance analog semiconductors whose solutions are powering the wireless networking revolution. Through our broad technology expertise and one of the most extensive product portfolios in the industry, we are Connecting Everyone and Everything, All the Time.
At Skyworks, you will find a fast-paced environment with a strong focus on global collaboration, minimal layers of management, and the freedom to make meaningful contributions in a setting that encourages creative thinking. We are excited about the opportunity to work with you and glad you want to be part of a team of talented individuals who together are changing the way the world communicates.
Requisition ID: 78903
Summary
As an Analog/RF/Mixed-Signal IC Design Engineer, you will work as part of a cross-functional, global team delivering System-on-Chip (SoC) products from concept to high volume production for the consumer, industrial, and automotive industries.
Responsibilities
- Specify, architect, and design Analog/RF/Mixed-Signal integrated circuits from product definition through characterization and qualification.
- Prepare, document and participate in concept, schematic/layout and final design reviews for analog/RF/Mixed-Signal circuit blocks.
- Collaborate with global team to ensure designs are specification compliant and on time.
- Develop, implement and execute test plans for lab characterization of post-fab circuit and chip designs.
Qualifications
- MSEE or higher with IC-focus design coursework
- Solid theoretical understanding of power-management, control, and/or communication systems including architectures and circuit implementations
- Knowledge of digital design techniques & tools (DSP, MATLAB, Verilog, VHDL)
- Experience with analog/RF IC design tools (Virtuoso required & ADS/HFSS desired)
- Experience with scripting/programming (e.g. Python, C-code)
- Excellent verbal and written communications skills
Desired Experience and Skills
The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is currently USD $74,000 - $147,200 per year. Starting base pay will depend on relevant experience and skills, training and education, business needs, market demands, the ultimate job duties and requirements, and work location. Skyworks has different base pay ranges for different work locations in the U.S. Benefits include access to healthcare benefits (including a premium-free medical plan option), a 401(k) plan and company match, an employee stock purchase plan, paid time off (including vacation, sick/wellness, parental leave), among others. Employees are eligible to participate in an incentive plan, and certain roles are also eligible for additional awards, including recognition and stock. These incentives and awards are based on individual and/or company performance.
Skyworks is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Skyworks strives to create an accessible workplace; if you need an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at accommodations@skyworksinc.com.
Apply now
Job Title: Analog/RF IC Design Engineer
Posting Start Date: 10/27/26
Job Location(s): Ft Lauderdale
If you are looking for a challenging and exciting career in the world of technology, then look no further. Skyworks is an innovator of high-performance analog semiconductors whose solutions are powering the wireless networking revolution. Through our broad technology expertise and one of the most extensive product portfolios in the industry, we are Connecting Everyone and Everything, All the Time.
At Skyworks, you will find a fast-paced environment with a strong focus on global collaboration, minimal layers of management, and the freedom to make meaningful contributions in a setting that encourages creative thinking. We are excited about the opportunity to work with you and glad you want to be part of a team of talented individuals who together are changing the way the world communicates.
Requisition ID: 78903
Summary
As an Analog/RF/Mixed-Signal IC Design Engineer, you will work as part of a cross-functional, global team delivering System-on-Chip (SoC) products from concept to high volume production for the consumer, industrial, and automotive industries.
Responsibilities
- Specify, architect, and design Analog/RF/Mixed-Signal integrated circuits from product definition through characterization and qualification.
- Prepare, document and participate in concept, schematic/layout and final design reviews for analog/RF/Mixed-Signal circuit blocks.
- Collaborate with global team to ensure designs are specification compliant and on time.
- Develop, implement and execute test plans for lab characterization of post-fab circuit and chip designs.
Qualifications
- MSEE or higher with IC-focus design coursework
- Solid theoretical understanding of power-management, control, and/or communication systems including architectures and circuit implementations
- Knowledge of digital design techniques & tools (DSP, MATLAB, Verilog, VHDL)
- Experience with analog/RF IC design tools (Virtuoso required & ADS/HFSS desired)
- Experience with scripting/programming (e.g. Python, C-code)
- Excellent verbal and written communications skills
Desired Experience and Skills
The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is currently USD $74,000 - $147,200 per year. Starting base pay will depend on relevant experience and skills, training and education, business needs, market demands, the ultimate job duties and requirements, and work location. Skyworks has different base pay ranges for different work locations in the U.S. Benefits include access to healthcare benefits (including a premium-free medical plan option), a 401(k) plan and company match, an employee stock purchase plan, paid time off (including vacation, sick/wellness, parental leave), among others. Employees are eligible to participate in an incentive plan, and certain roles are also eligible for additional awards, including recognition and stock. These incentives and awards are based on individual and/or company performance.
Skyworks is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Skyworks strives to create an accessible workplace; if you need an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at accommodations@skyworksinc.com.
Apply now
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as an Ic Design Engineer
Target fabless semiconductor companies
Fabless companies like Qualcomm, AMD, and Broadcom hire IC design engineers at scale and have established OPT and H-1B visa sponsorship pipelines. Their recruiting teams are familiar with F-1 work authorization requirements, which reduces friction during the hiring process.
Highlight your EDA tool proficiency
Cadence, Synopsys, and Mentor Graphics experience signals immediate productivity to hiring managers. List specific tools by name on your resume alongside the process nodes you have worked with. Sponsors want engineers who can contribute from day one without extensive onboarding.
Apply before your OPT start date
IC design roles have long interview cycles involving multiple technical rounds. Start applying three to four months before your OPT begins so you can accept an offer and start without authorization gaps. Waiting until graduation compresses your timeline significantly.
Clarify your STEM OPT eligibility upfront
Electrical engineering, computer engineering, and related programs qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirming this eligibility early reassures sponsors that you have three years of runway, which makes the investment in hiring and H-1B sponsorship worthwhile for them.
Pursue tape-out experience before graduating
Even a small chip tape-out through a university program or research project is a meaningful differentiator. Sponsors hiring for IC design roles prioritize candidates who have seen a design through to physical implementation, not just completed coursework in digital or analog circuits.
Research employer H-1B filing history
Check whether a company has sponsored IC design engineers for H-1B visas in recent years before investing time in their interview process. Consistent H-1B filing history signals genuine sponsorship intent, not just openness to OPT. This protects your time during a constrained work authorization window.
Ic Design Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do IC design engineer roles qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes. IC design engineering falls under electrical engineering, computer engineering, and related STEM fields that qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Combined with your initial 12-month OPT period, you get up to three years of work authorization. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify to support the extension, which most large semiconductor companies already are.
How common is H-1B sponsorship for IC design engineers?
H-1B sponsorship is relatively common in this field because IC design is classified as a specialty occupation requiring at least a bachelor's degree in a specific technical discipline. Semiconductor companies, defense contractors, and fabless chip designers regularly sponsor engineers for H-1B status after OPT. You can browse OPT-friendly IC design roles on Migrate Mate to identify which employers have active hiring pipelines.
Can I work on ITAR-controlled projects as an F-1 OPT student?
It depends on the project and the employer's export control compliance program. Many defense and aerospace companies require engineers to be U.S. citizens or permanent residents for ITAR-restricted work. Some commercial semiconductor roles involve no export control restrictions. Be direct with recruiters about your visa status early so both sides can assess whether the specific role is accessible to you.
What types of employers hire IC design engineers on OPT?
Fabless semiconductor companies, integrated device manufacturers, defense electronics firms, automotive chip suppliers, and consumer electronics companies all hire IC design engineers. Startups working on custom silicon for AI accelerators and networking have also been active hiring markets. Roles span analog, digital, mixed-signal, RF, and physical design, so the specific team structure matters when evaluating sponsorship practices.
What should I do if my OPT expires before the H-1B lottery result?
If you are selected in the H-1B lottery with an October 1 start date but your OPT expires before then, a cap-gap provision automatically extends your work authorization. Your OPT EAD remains valid through September 30 of the lottery year if your employer files the H-1B petition before your OPT expires. Confirm your employer's timeline and work with your DSO to document the extension correctly.