The 5 Best Semiconductor Companies in California

One of the best things about working with the semiconductor industry is the opportunities it brings. If you have the skills, they can take you anywhere. And one of the most influential places in the industry today is California. Employing more than 63,000 people, California has the highest total number of semiconductor factories in the world. So, let’s take a look at some of its most important players.

The 5 Best Semiconductor Companies in California

Nvidia Corporation

Based in Santa Clara, Nvidia Corporation is one of the semiconductor industry’s biggest names. Globally recognised, with a value of $3.595 trillion, Nvidia specialises in graphics processing units (GPUs) and AI. But while those are the products that make it famous, Nvidia also produces professional semiconductor products used in edge-to-cloud computing, supercomputers, and workstations. Nvidia’s GPUs were also instrumental in training ChatGPT.

Broadcom Inc.

While Broadcom Inc. may not be such a recognisable name as Nvidia, this Palo Alto-based semiconductor and infrastructure company could easily be seen as one of the industry’s founding fathers. Established in 1961, the company is celebrated in the sector for its semiconductor and infrastructure software. Working across a broad range of markets, including data centre networking, servers and storage, telecommunications and smartphones, mainframe operations, and factory automation, Broadcom has successfully evolved to keep pace with industry requirements.  

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD)

AMD is another Santa Clara-based company with a global reputation. Broadly recognised in the consumer market, thanks to its work on computer processors and motherboard chipsets, AMD has recently expanded to other markets. While CPUs and GPUs remain integral to its offering, the company is now making strides in the highly competitive arenas of AI and cybersecurity. AMD’s focus is on providing the processing power necessary to feed the integral developments needed for next-generation development.

Qualcomm Incorporated

Specialising in semiconductor components for both cellular and Wi-Fi networks, Qualcomm has carved a lucrative niche for itself. Producing chips for use in smartphones, watches, laptops, and other wireless and 5G devices, this San Diego-based firm is known globally for its leadership and technological innovation.

Applied Materials Inc.

Based in Santa Clara and founded in 1967, Applied Materials is another of the US semiconductor industry’s founding fathers. While the company plays an integral role within the semiconductor industry, it has its fingers in multiple pies, including flat panel displays, and solar products. Using thin film engineering Applied Materials is able to create electronic structures that are as small as 1/2,000th the width of a human hair. This level of technological innovation makes the company indispensable within the industry. And with more than 34,000 employees, Applied Materials provides plenty of opportunities for anyone looking to move into the US semiconductor space.

California is vital to the semiconductor industry. With more than 600 fabrication facilities and some of the most innovative minds, it’s a veritable powerhouse. And for those looking to advance within the semiconductor sector, it provides endless opportunities.

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