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Freelance Physical Design Engineer Jobs in Atlanta, GA

Substation Physical Engineer

Atlanta, GA · On-site

$94.70K - $120.70K/yr

We are looking for a Substation Physical Engineer to join our team. As an Career Substation ... Candidates will be expected to use knowledge of digital logic design, AC and DC circuits to design ...

Design Engineer - Substation

Atlanta, GA · On-site

$94.70K - $120.70K/yr

Design physical substation components, including yard layouts, grounding, lightning protection ... Conduct engineering calculations, including voltage drop, cable pulling, flicker analysis, and ...

Lead Substation Physical Engineer - REMOTE

Atlanta, GA · On-site +1

$98.60K - $129.80K/yr

ICF is seeking an experienced Substation Physical Engineer to lead the design and execution of high-voltage substation projects (typically 69kV to 500kV) with the goal of providing excellent quality ...

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Freelance Physical Design Engineer information

See Atlanta, GA salary details

$14

$45

$127

How much do freelance physical design engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of May 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance physical design engineer in Atlanta, GA is $45.88, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23.37 and $59.42 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Freelance Physical Design Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Freelance Physical Design Engineer, you need expertise in ASIC/FPGA physical design, knowledge of VLSI concepts, and a degree in electrical or electronics engineering. Familiarity with EDA tools such as Cadence, Synopsys, or Mentor Graphics, and experience with scripting languages like TCL or Python are typically required. Strong problem-solving, communication, and time management skills help freelancers efficiently collaborate with clients and meet project deadlines. These skills and qualities are vital for delivering high-quality chip designs and succeeding in a competitive, project-based environment.

What are some common challenges faced by freelance physical design engineers, and how can they be addressed?

Freelance physical design engineers often encounter challenges such as limited access to advanced EDA tools, variable project scopes, and the need to quickly adapt to different clients' design methodologies. To address these, it’s important to invest in personal tool licenses or partner with clients who provide access, maintain a strong network to secure consistent projects, and stay updated on industry trends and technologies. Effective communication and documentation also help ensure alignment with client expectations and avoid misunderstandings during the project lifecycle.

What are Freelance Physical Design Engineers?

Freelance Physical Design Engineers are specialized professionals who work independently, often on a contract basis, to design and implement the physical layout of integrated circuits (ICs) and chips. They are responsible for taking a digital circuit design and transforming it into a manufacturable physical layout, which includes tasks such as floorplanning, placement, routing, timing analysis, and verification. These engineers typically use electronic design automation (EDA) tools and collaborate remotely with semiconductor companies, startups, or design teams. Freelance Physical Design Engineers offer flexibility and specialized expertise for projects without requiring long-term employment commitments.

What is the difference between Freelance Physical Design Engineer vs Full-Time Physical Design Engineer?

AspectFreelance Physical Design EngineerFull-Time Physical Design Engineer
CredentialsTypically requires a relevant degree and industry experience; certifications are optionalRequires a degree and often certifications or ongoing training
Work EnvironmentIndependent, project-based, remote or on-siteCompany office or dedicated team environment
Employer & Industry UsageHired by multiple clients across various companies; flexible engagementsEmployed by a single company; stable employment
Work ScopeSpecific projects, often short-termOngoing responsibilities within a team or department

The main difference between a Freelance Physical Design Engineer and a Full-Time Physical Design Engineer lies in employment type, work environment, and project scope. Freelancers work independently on short-term projects for multiple clients, offering flexibility. Full-time engineers are employed by a single company, focusing on continuous, long-term responsibilities within a team.

What are the most commonly searched types of Physical Design Engineer jobs in Atlanta, GA? The most popular types of Physical Design Engineer jobs in Atlanta, GA are:
What are popular job titles related to Freelance Physical Design Engineer jobs in Atlanta, GA? For Freelance Physical Design Engineer jobs in Atlanta, GA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Freelance Physical Design Engineer jobs in Atlanta, GA look for? The top searched job categories for Freelance Physical Design Engineer jobs in Atlanta, GA are:
What cities near Atlanta, GA are hiring for Freelance Physical Design Engineer jobs? Cities near Atlanta, GA with the most Freelance Physical Design Engineer job openings:
Substation Physical Engineer

Substation Physical Engineer

Leidos

Atlanta, GA • On-site

$94.70K - $120.70K/yr

Full-time

Posted 18 hours ago


Leidos rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 146 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

58th of 424 rated business services


Job description

Job Description

Looking for an opportunity to make an impact?

At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers' success. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community. Our Mission, Vision, and Values guide the way we do business.

Your greatest work is ahead!

We are looking for a Substation Physical Engineer to join our team. As an Career Substation Physical Engineer, candidates will have the opportunity to work on projects for electric utilities at voltages from 12kV up to 500kV. This is an exciting and growing field in the power systems industry and allows candidates to get exposure to how the power generation such as that of renewable energy ties into the electric system. Candidates will be expected to use knowledge of digital logic design, AC and DC circuits to design substation electrical projects.


*Candidates must be located in or able to relocate to the office location:

  • Atlanta, GA

*Hybrid Work Schedule: (2-3 days a week)

  • 2-3 Days of In-Person Connection: Build strong relationships with colleagues and clients by being in the office or on-site. It's the perfect way to strengthen collaboration and ensure seamless communication.
  • Networking Events: Expand your horizons and make valuable connections at industry-leading events. You'll be in the right rooms, with the right people, at the right time.
  • Continuous Development: Stay at the forefront of innovation by participating in top-tier training programs and conferences. Personal growth isn't optional here; it's part of the package.
  • The Best of Both Worlds: With the flexibility to work remotely on other days, you'll have the freedom to focus, recharge, and bring your A-game to every opportunity.

Successful candidates can look forward to a fast paced, diverse work environment and flexible work hours/work arrangements as well as managers who will encourage career development and growth including:

  • Engineer in Training Certificate (EIT).
  • Professional Engineer License (PE).
  • Project Management Professional (PMP).
  • Technical & Non-Technical Training Opportunities.
  • Leadership Opportunities.
  • Mentorship & Training Opportunities.
  • Opportunity to Lead, Grow, and Inspire a Dynamic Team

Are you ready to make an impact? Begin your journey of a flourishing and meaningful career, share your resume with us today!

The Challenge:

  • Experience in executing substation physical projects
  • Excellent communication skills and ability to interact with the internal team and clients to meet project needs.
  • Performing quality control checks on substation physical design projects.
  • Expected to read and design substation physical drawings such as one-line drawings, three-line drawings, plan-section drawings, foundation, grounding drawings.
  • Create and check bill of materials for substation physical
  • Expected to attend site visit at customer location

Successful candidates must comply with quality control and safe work practices and maintain compliance with project scope, schedule, and budget. This position will be a member of a design team comprised of engineers, designers, and CAD technicians and will work with client standards to implement design.


What Sets You Apart:

  • Mid-Level: Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, or related degree with two (2+) or more years of related substation physical design experience.
  • Senior-Level: Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, or related degree with four (4+) or more years of related substation physical design experience.
  • Experience with grounding studies/lightning protection and lighting studies.
  • Demonstrate Excellent communication skills and ability to interact with the internal team and clients to meet project needs.
  • Ability to meet deadlines under pressure situations.
  • Collaborator and leader who can work effectively in team environment.
  • Self-starter who works independently with minimal direction.
  • Strong analytical skills and proven problem solver in both team and independent environments.
  • High level of computer competency.
  • Willingness to travel to project and/or client sites.

You Might Also have:

  • US Citizen and able to pass a DOE Background
  • Engineer Intern ("EI" or "EIT") professional certification.
  • Professional Engineer ("PE") License.
  • Working knowledge of protection and control design
  • Experience with bus calculation
  • Experience with WinIGS or CDEGS
  • Master's degree in related field.

WHAT WE DO

Leidos is a trusted and technology-focused solutions provider. Utilities and mobile operators rely on our Power Delivery Services Team for reliable power and telecommunication expertise, as reflected through our work with more than 50 investor-owned utilities, more than 160municipals/cooperatives,as well as a growing number of mobile operators, local utility providers and private developers. In addition to providing engineering and project management services, Leidos works with an established group of industry-leading construction partners delivering meaningful Energy Delivery Solutions. Our recognition as an industry leader is confirmed by the latest national rankings by Engineering News-Record (ENR) ranking Leidos within the Top 10 T&D Firms, and Top 10 Power Firms. To explore and learn more, click here!

At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers' success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainably. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community. Our Mission, Vision, and Values guide the way we do business.

We take care of our employees. Leidos seeks the best and the brightest, and in return, we invest in you, with an eye on your future, through career advancement, growth opportunities and continuous improvement via mentoring, formal and informal project management training and assistance with obtaining pertinent certifications. We challenge you to help solve some of the world's toughest problems, and reward you with a welcoming culture that recognizes the importance of a strong work/life balance, as well as competitive compensation and benefits. We believe that diversity and inclusion make us all better and offer the chance to have fun and make a difference.

PowerDelivery

PDSSUBSTATION

At Leidos, we don't want someone who "fits the mold"-we want someone who melts it down and builds something better. This is a role for the restless, the over-caffeinated, the ones who ask, "what's next?" before the dust settles on "what's now."

If you're already scheming step 20 while everyone else is still debating step 2... good. You'll fit right in.

Original Posting:January 12, 2026

For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Pay Range:Pay Range $69,550.00 - $125,725.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline onlyand not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.


What Leidos employees say

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Leidos logo

About Leidos

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers' success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainable practices. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community.

Industry

It services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Reston, VA, US

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