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Entry Level Physical Design Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

Ebco Inc

Mechanical Design Project Engineer

Elgin, IL · On-site

$75K - $90K/yr

Contribute to the design, development and physical validation of products * Support the creation ... Familiarity with basic engineering and manufacturing principles * Proficient in basic computer ...

Ebco Inc

Mechanical Design Project Engineer

Elgin, IL · On-site

$75K - $101K/yr

Contribute to the design, development and physical validation of products * Support the creation ... Familiarity with basic engineering and manufacturing principles * Proficient in basic computer ...

Ebco Inc

Mechanical Design Project Engineer

Elgin, IL · On-site

$75K - $101K/yr

Contribute to the design, development and physical validation of products * Support the creation ... Familiarity with basic engineering and manufacturing principles * Proficient in basic computer ...

The LaSalle Group

Mechanical Engineer Designer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

Carry out drafting and design assignments; assist Project Engineer, Mechanical/Electrical Engineer ... LEED accredited professional preferred * Entry-level position; minimum of one year of experience

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All JobsPhysical Design Engineer JobsEntry Level Physical Design Engineer JobsEntry Level Physical Design Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

Entry Level Physical Design Engineer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$30.9K

$71.5K

$121.6K

How much do entry level physical design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level physical design engineer in Chicago, IL is $71,453.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $53,100.00 and $80,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an entry level physical design engineer do?

An Entry Level Physical Design Engineer works on the layout and implementation of integrated circuits (ICs), specifically focusing on translating logical circuit designs into physical layouts that can be manufactured. Their responsibilities often include tasks such as floorplanning, placement, routing, timing analysis, and design rule checking using specialized software tools. They collaborate with other engineers to ensure that the chip meets performance, power, and area requirements. Entry-level engineers are typically involved in supporting more experienced team members while learning industry-standard design flows and tools. This role plays a crucial part in bringing new electronic products to market.

What are some common challenges entry level physical design engineers face when transitioning from academic projects to industry roles?

Entry Level Physical Design Engineers often find that real-world projects are larger in scale and complexity compared to academic assignments. Adapting to industry-standard tools like Cadence or Synopsys, managing strict deadlines, and collaborating within multidisciplinary teams can be challenging at first. Additionally, understanding and following established workflows, as well as dealing with the nuances of process technology and design constraints, require a steep learning curve. However, many companies provide mentorship and training to help new engineers integrate smoothly and develop their expertise.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level physical design engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Physical Design Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering, digital logic design, and VLSI concepts, typically supported by a relevant bachelor’s or master’s degree. Familiarity with industry-standard tools like Cadence, Synopsys, or Mentor Graphics for layout, synthesis, and verification, as well as scripting languages such as TCL or Python, is essential. Strong problem-solving, teamwork, and attention to detail are standout soft skills for this role. These skills ensure the efficient translation of circuit designs into manufacturable layouts, driving successful chip development and collaboration in complex engineering environments.

What is the difference between Entry Level Physical Design Engineer vs Digital IC Design Engineer?

AspectEntry Level Physical Design EngineerDigital IC Design Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Electrical Engineering or Computer EngineeringBachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering
Work EnvironmentDesign teams, CAD tools, chip fabrication facilitiesDesign teams, simulation tools, hardware labs
Industry UsageFoundries, semiconductor companies, EDA firmsSemiconductor companies, integrated circuit design firms
Common Search IntentEntry level, physical implementation, chip layoutDigital logic, circuit design, RTL coding

Entry Level Physical Design Engineers focus on translating digital circuit designs into physical layouts, ensuring manufacturability and performance. Digital IC Design Engineers primarily work on designing digital circuits at the RTL level. While both roles require a background in electrical engineering and involve working with semiconductor companies, physical design emphasizes layout and fabrication, whereas digital design emphasizes circuit functionality and logic.

What are the most commonly searched types of Physical Design Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Physical Design Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Physical Design Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL? For Entry Level Physical Design Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Physical Design Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Physical Design Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Entry Level Physical Design Engineer jobs? Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Entry Level Physical Design Engineer job openings:
Entry Level Physical Design Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Physical Design Engineer job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $71,453 per year, or $34.4 per hour.

Civil Design Engineer-2607240DG01

Ardmore Roderick

Chicago, IL • On-site

$83K - $91K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 3 days ago

Job description

About Us
Ardmore Roderick is a full-service infrastructure solutions firm that specializes in Utilities, Transportation, Aviation, Rail and Transit, Building and Facilities Projects. We are headquartered in Chicago, IL with offices in Florida, Illinois, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Texas.
Our Vision
Reimaging infrastructure to improve lives and communities
Our Mission
Transforming communities by empowering the best minds to deliver innovative infrastructure solutions.
Our Values
  • Caring
  • Excellence
  • Impact
  • Innovation
  • Inclusion
  • Safety
Job Overview
We are seeking a new Civil Design Engineer to join our team at Ardmore Roderick. As an Civil Design Engineer, you join a team of infrastructure solutions experts working to solve our client's ever-evolving project needs. This opportunity will be located in our Chicago or Downers Grove, IL offices and could have potential to be hybrid depending on the specific client, project and team needs.
Key Responsibilities
  • Work with Project Manager to break down project into tasks to be completed
  • Use Client objectives and engineering standards to design and implement projects
  • Be able to work on multiple projects at once and communicate with different practices throughout the project cycle (from bidding to construction)
  • Be able to learn new systems and programs requested by the client, AutoCAD specifically and other client specific programs
  • Constant communication with project managers to ensure timely execution of project, and early detection of potential engineering difficulties
  • This teammate will work in the development of overhead and underground physical construction design packages for various projects related to the electric utility industry in the Greater Chicago area
  • Produce design plans for overhead (OH), underground (UG), or underground residential development (URD) designs
  • Develop work packages using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Computer Aided Design (CAD) programs and work management systems
  • Performing engineering calculations that may include structural analysis of poles, guying, cable pulling, transformer sizing, voltage drop and flicker and coordination of protective devices
  • Assignments may also include preparing tree trimming requests, facilitating permits, development of bill of materials and estimating costs

Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor of Science in electrical or civil engineering
  • Zero to three years of experience with electrical design projects
  • EIT certification
  • Proficiency in AutoCAD
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office
  • Have a team player mindset with the ability to communicate proficiently in written and verbal forms
  • Have good to great organizational skills

Preferred Qualifications
  • Advanced degree(s)
  • Licensed Professional Engineer (PE)
  • Proficient in TED/CEGIS
  • MicroStation experience
  • ComEd or other similar power provider project experience
  • Experience in the energy and utilities fields, specifically electrical distribution aerial and underground design and or transmission design
Benefits
  • We offer Medical, Dental, and Vision Plans
  • 401K, Paid Maternity Leave, Competitive PTO
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and more
Sponsorship and relocation are not available for this opportunity.
Ardmore Roderick is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal law. Ardmore Roderick participates in E-Verify.
We are committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. Please reach out to us if you require reasonable accommodation in responding to a job announcement, interviewing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process.
Salary Range: $83,824-91,520, Ardmore Roderick is providing the compensation range that the company believes it might pay and/or offer for this position, based on the successful applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities in addition to internal equity and specific geographic location.

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