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Freelance Physical Design Engineer Jobs in Decatur, AL

Amentum

Design Engineer

Huntsville, AL · On-site

As an experienced Design Engineer, you will provide insight in the development, test, and ... Requires travel in the domestic USA ( Physical Requirements Requires sitting for extended periods ...

Pae

Design Engineer

Huntsville, AL · On-site

As an experienced Design Engineer, you will provide insight in the development, test, and ... Requires travel in the domestic USA ( Physical Requirements Requires sitting for extended periods ...

Pae

Mechanical Design Engineer (ES2)

Huntsville, AL · On-site

$74K - $101K/yr

We are searching for an engineer to provide structural and mechanical design support for SLS ... Physical Requirements: Requires sitting for extended periods of time in meetings with peers ...

Amentum

Mechanical Design Engineer (ES2)

Huntsville, AL · On-site

$74K - $101K/yr

We are searching for an engineer to provide structural and mechanical design support for SLS ... Physical Requirements: Requires sitting for extended periods of time in meetings with peers ...

Pae

Structural Design Engineer (ES5)

Huntsville, AL · On-site

As an Experienced Propulsion Design Engineer, you will provide inline design, development, and test ... Physical Requirements: Requires sitting for extended periods of time in meetings with peers ...

Pae

Structural/Mechanical Design Engineer (ES5)

Huntsville, AL · On-site

$74K - $101K/yr

... during design presentations and status meetings. Work with a team of engineers and structural ... Requires travel in the domestic USA ( Physical Requirements Requires sitting for extended periods ...

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All JobsFreelance Physical Design Engineer JobsFreelance Physical Design Engineer Jobs in Decatur, AL

Freelance Physical Design Engineer information

See Decatur, AL salary details

$13

$44

$123

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

As of Jul 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance physical design engineer in Decatur, AL is $44.72, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $22.74 and $57.93 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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.
Freelance Physical Design Engineer jobs near you
Senior Physical Design Engineer

Senior Physical Design Engineer

Mesa Associates Inc.

Madison, AL • On-site, Remote

Full-time

Posted 23 days ago

Job description

PDS 6 / Power Delivery Substation

This position is not eligible for recruiting or sourcing by outside parties.

Disclaimer: Be cautious and only respond to emails from our “mesainc.com” domain. We will never ask for sensitive information, such as bank account details, SSN, etc., via email. If you receive any communication asking for such information, it is not from Mesa. For any concerns, or to verify the authenticity of a message, please contact us through our official channels.

We have the power to energize YOUR career and spark YOUR Work/Life Balance through professional development and exceptional benefits. Don’t delay, plug in today for an inclusive meaningful career in power, distribution, transmission, engineering, design, technology, or innovation at Mesa Associates, Inc.

Mesa seeks a Senior Physical Design Engineer to be responsible for supervising the design and checking of deliverables associated with a high voltage substation design projects. Candidate must be familiar with the design of One Line Diagrams, Substation Layouts, Foundation Plans, Conduit/Raceway Plans, Grounding Plans, Bills of Materials, and Cable Schedules. The design will be completed using Autodesk products, mainly Inventor and AutoCAD. 

Responsibilities

  • Provide mentorship and training for junior level team members
  • Must be able to complete assignments within budget and schedule with a high degree of accuracy
  • Utilize AutoCAD based physical design standards
  • Performs technical preparation of deliverables and other project documents
  • Ensures deliverables comply with IEEE and/or client standards and meet applicable design requirements

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering (ABET Accredited)
  • 8-12 years experience in the design of substation physical design deliverables
  • Proficiency in verbal and written communication
  • Proficiency with layout designs in 2D

Preferred Qualifications

  • Expertise utilizing AutoCAD and/or Inventor
  • Knowledge of Power Systems or Substation Design
  • Keen interest in learning and using the latest Autodesk software tools, methods, and technologies to develop Power Substation design
  • Proficiency with layout designs in 3D

This opportunity is a hybrid arrangement located in Mesa's Knoxville, TN office. A fully remote arrangement may be considered for highly qualified candidates located in the Southeast region of the United States.

Notice to External Search Firms: Mesa Associates, Inc. and its subsidiaries do not accept unsolicited resumes and will not be obligated to pay a placement fee for unsolicited resumes. Mesa Associates, Inc. Talent Acquisition engages with approved search firms directly for specific hiring needs.

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