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Entry Level Physical Design Engineer Jobs in Madison, WI

Vierbicher Associates, Inc

Project Engineer 1

Madison, WI · On-site

$67K - $89K/yr

Design & Engineering Execution * Complete the full design cycle using AutoCAD Civil 3D to create ... Technical Proficiency : Entry-level proficiency in AutoCAD Civil 3D is required. Familiarity with ...

InterCon Construction, Inc.

CAD Drafter

Waunakee, WI · On-site

$23 - $31/hr

The CAD Drafter works under the direction of multiple engineers to complete construction drawings ... physical disability, veteran status, or any other category protected by law. Equal Employment ...

Kleinschmidt

Entry-Level Structural Engineer

Madison, WI · Hybrid

$65K - $86K/yr

Kleinschmidt has a full-time opening for an Entry Level Structural Engineer to perform analysis, design and engineering related field work for hydroelectric, fisheries, and water resources projects ...

Wisconsin

Design Studies Lecturer

Madison, WI

The Interior Architecture program combines creativity and design, with social and physical sciences ... DESIGN PROGRAMMING Programming is the problem definition phase of design process. An architectural ...

Sierra Space Corporation

Propulsion Engineer I

Madison, WI · On-site

$70K - $96K/yr

This entry-level position provides an opportunity to gain valuable experience under the guidance of ... In this role, you will assist in the design and development of propulsion systems, subsystems, and ...

Dashiell Corportaion

CAD Technician

Madison, WI · On-site

Engineering Location: Madison, WI Description Dashiell is a leading national provider of technical ... This position requires minimal physical effort. * Must be able to endure prolonged periods sitting ...

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All JobsPhysical Design Engineer JobsEntry Level Physical Design Engineer JobsEntry Level Physical Design Engineer Jobs in Madison, WI

Entry Level Physical Design Engineer information

See Madison, WI salary details

$30.2K

$69.9K

$118.9K

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

As of Jul 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level physical design engineer in Madison, WI is $69,891.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $51,900.00 and $79,100.00 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 Madison, WI? The most popular types of Physical Design Engineer jobs in Madison, WI are:
What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Physical Design Engineer jobs in Madison, WI? For Entry Level Physical Design Engineer jobs in Madison, WI, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Physical Design Engineer jobs in Madison, WI look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Physical Design Engineer jobs in Madison, WI are:
Entry Level Physical Design Engineer jobs near you

Industrial Design Engineer

Universal Presentation Concepts

Madison, WI • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 10 days ago

Job description

Who We Are
UPC has been designing and manufacturing retail store fixtures and point-of-purchase displays in Madison, Wisconsin since 1978. We operate out of a 120,000 sq ft facility, and we're family-owned, growing, and hands-on at every level. If you've ever walked into a store and noticed how a product was presented - the fixture that held it, the display that drew your eye - there's a good chance someone like you built it.
We work with real customers on real problems, and our design and engineering team is central to that. We're not a big anonymous corporation. Your ideas will be seen, your work will be built, and your fingerprints will be on the final product.
The Role
We're looking for a practical, creative designer who can take a concept from idea to production-ready - independently, and without a lot of hand-holding. This isn't a role for someone who only sketches and hands off to someone else. You'll own the full arc: conceive it, model it, document it, and hand it to the shop floor ready to build.
The right person thinks visually, works methodically, communicates clearly, and finds genuine satisfaction in seeing their design become a physical thing. Some background in manufacturing or fabrication - even as a hobbyist - is a real advantage here.
What You'll Do
-Take customer needs and translate them into original design concepts - from rough sketches to refined models.
-Build 3D models and produce complete, accurate drawings and BOMs ready for shop floor production.
-Manage your own projects: file organization, version control, drawing updates, and design documentation.
-Work directly with production teams to make sure what you designed can actually be built as intended.
-Support the adoption of new tools and processes that make the team faster and more consistent.
-Contribute to continuous improvement - when you see a better way to do something, you say so.
What You Bring
We're more interested in what you can do than what your resume says. That said, here's what tends to predict success in this role:
-Solid working knowledge of AutoCAD. Blender or other 3D modeling experience is a strong plus.
-Ability to produce clear, complete technical drawings and BOMs - not just pretty renders.
-Comfortable managing your own work: you don't need someone checking in on you every day.
-Enough IT fluency to manage files, formats, cloud storage, and design tool integrations without getting stuck.
-Good communicator - you can explain your design decisions to people who aren't engineers.
-Experience with or exposure to an ERP system (we use Odoo) is helpful, not required.
-2+ years in a manufacturing, design, or fabrication environment is preferred - but show us your portfolio and let's talk.
Recent technical college grads with strong portfolios are encouraged to apply. So are career changers who've spent time in a shop or fabrication environment and taught themselves CAD. We care about capability and drive, not just credentials.
Tools You'll Use
-AutoCAD (primary CAD platform)
-Blender (3D modeling)
-Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator - as needed)
-Odoo ERP (for project and BOM management)
-Google Drive / file sharing and cloud collaboration tools
Benefits
✓ 401(k)✓ Paid holidays
✓ Health insurance✓ Stable, family-owned workplace
✓ Paid Time Off (PTO)✓ Your work gets built - guaranteed
How to Apply
Send your resume and a portfolio (or portfolio link) to HR@upcdisplays.com. We're not looking for perfection - we're looking for someone who can show us how they think and what they've built. Even if your background is unconventional, reach out.
Phone: 608-222-5658 | Fax: 608-222-3933 | www.upcdisplays.com
UPC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs.

Apply