STEM OPT Circuit Design Engineer Jobs
Circuit Design Engineer roles in semiconductors, RF systems, and embedded hardware fall squarely within STEM OPT eligibility. Your STEM degree lets you apply for a 24-month OPT extension, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization, as long as your employer is enrolled in E-Verify before your training plan is filed.
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Get Access To All JobsDo you have a passion for crafting entirely new solutions? As part of our Digital Design Engineering group, you’ll take imaginative and revolutionary ideas and determine how to turn them into reality! You and your team will apply engineering fundamentals and start from scratch if needed, bringing forward-thinking ideas to the real world. Join us, and you’ll help design the tools that allow us to bring customers experiences they’ve never before envisioned! We have an extraordinary opportunity for Standard Cell Designers. In this highly visible role, you will be at the heart of a processor design effort, working with the custom digital circuits team and library development, making a critical impact in delivering products to market quickly.
Description
Imagine yourself at the center of our cutting-edge processor design in deep submicron technologies, and on standard cell library designs. You will drive concepts of transistor level circuit design, modeling and performance analysis, collaborating with all fields, playing a strategic role of getting functional products to millions of customers quickly. You will have the opportunity to integrate and come up with new ideas, as well as work with a team of hardworking engineers. As a Circuit Design Engineer for the custom circuits team, you will perform the following:
- Work on library architecture discussion & optimization effort to improve overall Library PPA.
- Drive layout optimization effort by identifying & reducing parasitics to push circuit PPA.
- Work on Library PPA for different technology, architecture, PDK releases.
- Develop standard cell circuits that push design PPA.
- Work on PNR block to validate the IP in testchips & benchmark new tech/PDK libraries.
- Work on Library Characterization (Timing/Power/Variation/etc) for all libraries.
- Engage with CPU, SOC and GPU teams on physical design requirements.
Minimum Qualifications
BS in a relevant field of study and a minimum of 3 years of relevant industry experience.
Preferred Qualifications
- Strong understanding of CMOS device characteristics and design rules.
- Strong understanding of Digital circuits & optimization for better PPA.
- Good layout design knowledge & parasitic optimization in various types of layouts.
- Hands-on experience running SPICE simulations and high sigma variation analysis.
- Experience in Circuit design of high-performance flip flops, level shifters, retention flops and other complex circuits is a plus.
- Experience in RTL2GDSII flow and/or Static Timing Analysis (STA) is a plus.
- Knowledge of deep submicron process issues & Finfet Technologies is a plus.
- Understanding of Timing characterization & modeling of Standard cell circuits is a plus.
- Strong proficiency in scripting languages like Perl, Python, and Tcl.
- Great teammate with good communication and analytical skills.
- MSEE preferred*
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 $134,800 and $245,800, 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.
Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant.
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
Do you have a passion for crafting entirely new solutions? As part of our Digital Design Engineering group, you’ll take imaginative and revolutionary ideas and determine how to turn them into reality! You and your team will apply engineering fundamentals and start from scratch if needed, bringing forward-thinking ideas to the real world. Join us, and you’ll help design the tools that allow us to bring customers experiences they’ve never before envisioned! We have an extraordinary opportunity for Standard Cell Designers. In this highly visible role, you will be at the heart of a processor design effort, working with the custom digital circuits team and library development, making a critical impact in delivering products to market quickly.
Description
Imagine yourself at the center of our cutting-edge processor design in deep submicron technologies, and on standard cell library designs. You will drive concepts of transistor level circuit design, modeling and performance analysis, collaborating with all fields, playing a strategic role of getting functional products to millions of customers quickly. You will have the opportunity to integrate and come up with new ideas, as well as work with a team of hardworking engineers. As a Circuit Design Engineer for the custom circuits team, you will perform the following:
- Work on library architecture discussion & optimization effort to improve overall Library PPA.
- Drive layout optimization effort by identifying & reducing parasitics to push circuit PPA.
- Work on Library PPA for different technology, architecture, PDK releases.
- Develop standard cell circuits that push design PPA.
- Work on PNR block to validate the IP in testchips & benchmark new tech/PDK libraries.
- Work on Library Characterization (Timing/Power/Variation/etc) for all libraries.
- Engage with CPU, SOC and GPU teams on physical design requirements.
Minimum Qualifications
BS in a relevant field of study and a minimum of 3 years of relevant industry experience.
Preferred Qualifications
- Strong understanding of CMOS device characteristics and design rules.
- Strong understanding of Digital circuits & optimization for better PPA.
- Good layout design knowledge & parasitic optimization in various types of layouts.
- Hands-on experience running SPICE simulations and high sigma variation analysis.
- Experience in Circuit design of high-performance flip flops, level shifters, retention flops and other complex circuits is a plus.
- Experience in RTL2GDSII flow and/or Static Timing Analysis (STA) is a plus.
- Knowledge of deep submicron process issues & Finfet Technologies is a plus.
- Understanding of Timing characterization & modeling of Standard cell circuits is a plus.
- Strong proficiency in scripting languages like Perl, Python, and Tcl.
- Great teammate with good communication and analytical skills.
- MSEE preferred*
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 $134,800 and $245,800, 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.
Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant.
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
See all Circuit Design Engineer jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Circuit Design Engineer roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Circuit Design Engineer
Verify your CIP code matches circuit engineering
Your STEM OPT eligibility depends on your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code. Electrical Engineering (14.1001) and Computer Engineering (14.0901) both qualify, but confirm your specific code with your DSO before applying to roles.
Check E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify before you submit your I-983 training plan. Search the E-Verify employer search tool by company name to confirm enrollment status. An unenrolled employer cannot legally authorize your STEM OPT extension.
Build a portfolio of tape-out or simulation projects
Circuit Design Engineer roles require demonstrated proficiency in tools like Cadence, Synopsys, or SPICE. Hiring managers at semiconductor firms often filter candidates by tape-out experience. Document any academic or internship designs you contributed to before applying.
Target fabless and EDA companies with OPT hiring history
Use Migrate Mate to filter Circuit Design Engineer roles by employers who have filed Labor Condition Applications for STEM roles. DOL LCA data shows which companies actively hire STEM OPT students into hardware and design positions.
Structure your I-983 around specific design deliverables
Your I-983 training plan must list concrete learning objectives tied to your Circuit Design Engineer role. Vague descriptions get rejected by DSOs. Specify milestones like schematic design reviews, layout sign-offs, or silicon bring-up participation with projected completion dates.
Benchmark your offer against OFLC Wage Search data
Before signing an offer, look up your job title and work location in the OFLC Wage Search to confirm the salary meets the prevailing wage for that metro area. Underpaid STEM OPT positions can create problems if the employer later files an H-1B petition on your behalf.
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Find Circuit Design Engineer JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does a Circuit Design Engineer role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, if your degree is in an eligible STEM field. Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, and Computer Science degrees all carry qualifying CIP codes. The role itself must also relate directly to your degree field. Your DSO reviews both the job description and your degree when approving your I-983 training plan, so confirm the connection is explicit before they submit.
How do I confirm my employer is enrolled in E-Verify before starting?
Use the E-Verify employer search tool to look up your employer by company name or employer identification number. Enrollment must be active before you submit your I-983 training plan to your DSO. If your employer is not yet enrolled, they can register directly through E-Verify, but that process takes time, so raise it early in the offer negotiation stage.
What should my I-983 training plan include for a Circuit Design Engineer position?
Your I-983 must describe how the role connects to your STEM degree with specific, measurable learning goals. For circuit design roles, list objectives like mastering a particular EDA toolchain, completing a design review cycle, or contributing to a tape-out milestone. Generic descriptions like 'gain industry experience' are not sufficient and will delay DSO approval.
What happens to my work authorization if my H-1B is selected in the lottery while on STEM OPT?
If your employer files an H-1B petition on your behalf and it is selected in the lottery, cap-gap protection extends your STEM OPT work authorization through September 30 of that fiscal year. USCIS issues cap-gap coverage automatically if your OPT EAD is still valid when the petition is filed. You can continue working as a Circuit Design Engineer during this period without interruption.
Where can I find Circuit Design Engineer jobs where employers are already familiar with STEM OPT?
Migrate Mate lists Circuit Design Engineer roles filtered by employers with active DOL Labor Condition Application filings, which shows they have experience hiring international candidates in STEM roles. Targeting these employers reduces the time you spend educating hiring managers about E-Verify enrollment and I-983 requirements, which are non-negotiable parts of your extension approval.
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