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Freelance Physical Design Engineer Jobs in Spring Grove, IL

Lead Design Engineer

Cary, IL Β· On-site

$104K - $136K/yr

Cadence's employee-friendly policies focus on the physical and mental well-being of employees ... Interface with Front End RTL design teams and Back End Verification teams Position Requirements ...

Application Engineer

Cary, IL Β· On-site

$74K - $137K/yr

The opportunity to learn from the technical experts, sales and application engineers who provide ... Digital physical design and implementation * Sign-off for timing, IR drop, power analysis, SI ...

Strong background in mechanical engineering principles combined with elite-level programming and system analysis capabilities to bridge the gap between physical design and complex control logic.

Application Engineer

Cary, IL Β· On-site

$74K - $137K/yr

The opportunity to learn from the technical experts, sales and application engineers who provide ... Digital physical design and implementation * Sign-off for timing, IR drop, power analysis, SI ...

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Freelance Physical Design Engineer information

See Spring Grove, IL salary details

$14

$47

$132

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

As of Sep 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance physical design engineer in Spring Grove, IL is $47.90, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.38 and $62.02 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a freelance physical design engineer?

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?

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 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 Spring Grove, IL?

The most popular types of Physical Design Engineer jobs in Spring Grove, IL are:

What cities near Spring Grove, IL are hiring for Freelance Physical Design Engineer jobs?

Cities near Spring Grove, IL with the most Freelance Physical Design Engineer job openings:

Senior Tool Design Engineer

Mundelein, IL β€’ On-site

Torrey Holistics
RetailΒ β€’Β 11 - 50 employees

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 25 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Design, develop, and optimize tooling systems for manufacturing processes.

  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify tooling challenges and develop solutions.

  • Create, update, and manage CAD drawings, bills of materials, and documentation to support manufacturing.


Job description

Role SummaryThe Senior Tool Design Engineer applies advanced engineering knowledge and technical expertise to design, develop, and optimize tooling systems for manufacturing processes. This pivotal role contributes to enhancing product quality, boosting production efficiency, and driving continuous improvement initiatives. The Senior Tool Design Engineer is also responsible for mentoring junior engineers, providing training to machine operators, and playing an instrumental role in solving complex tooling challenges. This position requires active collaboration with cross-functional teams to ensure the successful development and implementation of innovative tooling solutions.Key ResponsibilitiesLead the design and development of high-performance tooling for manufacturing equipment, ensuring tooling meets production requirements, specifications, and industry standards.Spearhead the research, design, and implementation of tooling enhancements and improvements to increase product quality, reliability, and production efficiency.Collaborate effectively with production teams, engineering departments, and quality assurance to identify tooling design challenges, develop solutions, and resolve complex production issues.Drive innovation by proposing and implementing creative and cost-effective tooling solutions or modifications that improve tooling performance and lifespan.Oversee and manage the tool change control process, ensuring compliance with internal company standards, protocols, and regulatory requirements.Provide expert support to production teams by diagnosing, troubleshooting, and resolving complex tooling issues during new product launches and ongoing production runs.Create, update, and manage accurate and detailed CAD drawings, bills of materials (BOMs), and other necessary documentation to support the manufacturing process.Ensure adherence to 5S standards to maintain a clean, organized, and safe working environment.Maintain strict compliance with all safety, environmental, and quality policies and procedures to ensure risk mitigation and operational excellence.Actively participate in continuous improvement initiatives, offering expertise to improve manufacturing efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance process reliability.Mentor, train, and coach junior engineers and machine operators, providing guidance on tooling design, troubleshooting, and best practices.Perform other related duties as assigned.Qualifications (Required)Education: Bachelor'sExperience: Minimum of 4 years of relevant professional experience, with a focus on tooling design in a manufacturing environment.Extensive experience and advanced knowledge of tooling design and related engineering principles, with a proven track record of successful tooling implementations.Proven leadership and mentoring experience, with the ability to effectively coach and develop junior engineers and other technical team members.Benefits at MacLean-FoggMacLean-Fogg offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial well-being, career growth, and work-life balance, including:21 total paid days off, including 10 vacation days and 11 paid holidays.Four medical insurance options through Blue Cross Blue Shield, with 100% coverage for eligible preventive care.Dental insurance and vision insurance.401(k) retirement plan with up to a 3.5% company match, full vesting after two years, and discretionary profit sharing.Health Savings Account with company contributions of up to $1,000 for individual coverage or $2,000 for family coverage.Healthcare and dependent care Flexible Spending Accounts.Four weeks of paid parental leave for eligible employees following a birth, adoption, or placement.Company-paid life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and short-term disability insurance.Voluntary long-term disability insurance.Tuition reimbursement for eligible degrees and continuing education.Spring Health Employee Assistance Program, including mental health, legal, and financial support.Four free therapy sessions each year for employees and each eligible family member.Free 24/7 virtual healthcare through Teladoc.Virtual physical therapy through Hinge Health.On-demand access to earned wages through PayActiv.Wellness incentives, equipment rebates, charitable donation matching, and a new vehicle rebate program.LinkedIn Learning and MacLean-Fogg leadership and professional development programs.Holiday turkeys and hams to share with your family.Benefits are subject to applicable plan terms and eligibility requirements.About MacLean-FoggMacLean-Fogg is a privately held, fourth-generation family-owned manufacturer with more than 100 years of history. We manufacture engineered components for automotive and industrial applications and operate facilities across the United States.Our long-term ownership allows us to invest in our people, manufacturing capabilities, customers, and communities. We are committed to integrity, people, customer excellence, stewardship, continuous improvement, and building lasting relationships with our employees and customers.Equal Employment OpportunityMacLean-Fogg is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.Applicants who require a reasonable accommodation during the hiring process may contact¨NBSP;careers@macleanfogg.com.#ind-exempt#ff-dd-ovYou should be proficient in:CAD SoftwareBlueprint ReadingCold form rollling #J-18808-Ljbffr