Physical Design Engineer
$184K - $324K/yr
Description As a Physical Design engineer you will contribute to all phases of physical design of high performance PHY design from RTL to delivery of our final GDSII. Your responsibilities include ...
Physical Design Engineer
$184K - $324K/yr
Description As a Physical Design engineer you will contribute to all phases of physical design of high performance PHY design from RTL to delivery of our final GDSII. Your responsibilities include ...
Physical Design Engineer
$150K - $277K/yr
Description As a Physical Design engineer you will contribute to all phases of physical design of high performance PHY design from RTL to delivery of our final GDSII. Your responsibilities include ...
Physical Design Engineer
$150K - $277K/yr
Description As a Physical Design engineer you will contribute to all phases of physical design of high performance PHY design from RTL to delivery of our final GDSII. Your responsibilities include ...
Physical Design Engineer
$129K - $225K/yr
Description As a Physical Design engineer you will contribute to all phases of physical design of high performance PHY design from RTL to delivery of our final GDSII.","responsibilities":"Generate ...
Physical Design Engineer
$129K - $225K/yr
Description As a Physical Design engineer you will contribute to all phases of physical design of high performance PHY design from RTL to delivery of our final GDSII.","responsibilities":"Generate ...
Physical Design Engineer
$139K - $143K/yr
Overall, 7 to 12 yrs of exp as a Physical Design Engineer. (Remote Opening) Must Have : Advance Node Exp 3nm/5nm,Full Chip Integration, Advance/Complex SOC Integration, Cadence/Synopsys (Innovus ...
Physical Design Engineer
$139K - $143K/yr
Overall, 7 to 12 yrs of exp as a Physical Design Engineer. (Remote Opening) Must Have : Advance Node Exp 3nm/5nm,Full Chip Integration, Advance/Complex SOC Integration, Cadence/Synopsys (Innovus ...
Physical Design Engineer
$150K - $277K/yr
Description As a Physical Design engineer you will contribute to all phases of physical design of high performance PHY design from RTL to delivery of our final GDSII.","responsibilities":"Your ...
Physical Design Engineer
$150K - $277K/yr
Description As a Physical Design engineer you will contribute to all phases of physical design of high performance PHY design from RTL to delivery of our final GDSII.","responsibilities":"Your ...
Physical Design Engineer
$184K - $324K/yr
Description As a Physical Design engineer you will contribute to all phases of physical design of high performance PHY design from RTL to delivery of our final GDSII. Your responsibilities include ...
Physical Design Engineer
$184K - $324K/yr
Description As a Physical Design engineer you will contribute to all phases of physical design of high performance PHY design from RTL to delivery of our final GDSII. Your responsibilities include ...
Physical Design Engineer
$129K - $225K/yr
Description As a Physical Design engineer you will contribute to all phases of physical design of high performance PHY design from RTL to delivery of our final GDSII. Your responsibilities include ...
Physical Design Engineer
$129K - $225K/yr
Description As a Physical Design engineer you will contribute to all phases of physical design of high performance PHY design from RTL to delivery of our final GDSII. Your responsibilities include ...
Physical Design Engineer
Milpitas, CA · On-site
$195K - $220K/yr
Physical Design Engineer - Socionext America, Milpitas Description Socionext Inc. (SNI) is an innovative enterprise that designs, develops, and delivers System-on-Chip products to customers worldwide.
Physical Design Engineer
Milpitas, CA · On-site
$195K - $220K/yr
Physical Design Engineer - Socionext America, Milpitas Description Socionext Inc. (SNI) is an innovative enterprise that designs, develops, and delivers System-on-Chip products to customers worldwide.
Physical Design Engineer
Cupertino, CA · On-site
$2.0K/mo
Physical Design Engineer Etched is looking for exceptional PD engineers to join our team. The candidate will be responsible for working with 3rd party design services to implement and verify physical ...
Physical Design Engineer
Cupertino, CA · On-site
$2.0K/mo
Physical Design Engineer Etched is looking for exceptional PD engineers to join our team. The candidate will be responsible for working with 3rd party design services to implement and verify physical ...
Physical Design Engineer
$129K - $225K/yr
Description As a Physical Design engineer you will contribute to all phases of physical design of high performance PHY design from RTL to delivery of our final GDSII. Your responsibilities include ...
Physical Design Engineer
$129K - $225K/yr
Description As a Physical Design engineer you will contribute to all phases of physical design of high performance PHY design from RTL to delivery of our final GDSII. Your responsibilities include ...
Physical Design Engineer
$150K - $277K/yr
Description As a Physical Design engineer you will contribute to all phases of physical design of high performance PHY design from RTL to delivery of our final GDSII. Your responsibilities include ...
Physical Design Engineer
$150K - $277K/yr
Description As a Physical Design engineer you will contribute to all phases of physical design of high performance PHY design from RTL to delivery of our final GDSII. Your responsibilities include ...
Physical Design Engineer
Cupertino, CA · On-site
$2.0K/mo
Physical Design Engineer Etched is looking for exceptional PD engineers to join our team. The candidate will be responsible for working with 3rd party design services to implement and verify physical ...
Physical Design Engineer
Cupertino, CA · On-site
$2.0K/mo
Physical Design Engineer Etched is looking for exceptional PD engineers to join our team. The candidate will be responsible for working with 3rd party design services to implement and verify physical ...
Physical Design Engineer
Austin, TX · On-site
$60K - $135K/yr
Physical Design Engineer City: Austin State/Province: Texas Posting Start Date: 6/18/26 Wipro Limited (NYSE: WIT, BSE: 507685, NSE: WIPRO) is a leading technology services and consulting company ...
Physical Design Engineer
Austin, TX · On-site
$60K - $135K/yr
Physical Design Engineer City: Austin State/Province: Texas Posting Start Date: 6/18/26 Wipro Limited (NYSE: WIT, BSE: 507685, NSE: WIPRO) is a leading technology services and consulting company ...
Physical Design Engineer
$262K - $394K/yr
Description As a Physical Design engineer you will contribute to all phases of physical design of high performance PHY design from RTL to delivery of our final GDSII. Your responsibilities include ...
Physical Design Engineer
$262K - $394K/yr
Description As a Physical Design engineer you will contribute to all phases of physical design of high performance PHY design from RTL to delivery of our final GDSII. Your responsibilities include ...
Physical Design Engineer
San Jose, CA · On-site
$158K - $162K/yr
Physical Design Engineer Location: San Jose, CA (Onsite) Term: Full Time/W2 Exp: 6-15 years Important pointers: profiles with most recent experience in Latest technology with Full PnR and Signoff ...
Physical Design Engineer
San Jose, CA · On-site
$158K - $162K/yr
Physical Design Engineer Location: San Jose, CA (Onsite) Term: Full Time/W2 Exp: 6-15 years Important pointers: profiles with most recent experience in Latest technology with Full PnR and Signoff ...
Physical Design Engineer
$180K - $230K/yr
We're looking for a hands-on Physical Design Engineer to support complex SoC projects for our client who designs and delivers advanced System-on-Chip solutions across multiple emerging technologies.
Quick apply
Apply Early
Physical Design Engineer
$180K - $230K/yr
We're looking for a hands-on Physical Design Engineer to support complex SoC projects for our client who designs and delivers advanced System-on-Chip solutions across multiple emerging technologies.
Apply Early
Physical Design Engineer
Bodega Bay, CA · On-site
$161K - $166K/yr
We're looking for a hands-on Physical Design Engineer to support complex SoC projects for our client who designs and delivers advanced System-on-Chip solutions across multiple emerging technologies.
Physical Design Engineer
Bodega Bay, CA · On-site
$161K - $166K/yr
We're looking for a hands-on Physical Design Engineer to support complex SoC projects for our client who designs and delivers advanced System-on-Chip solutions across multiple emerging technologies.
Physical Design Engineer
San Diego, CA · On-site
$145K - $150K/yr
Physical design engineers are ideally creative, motivated, energetic, pleasant to work with, and put the needs of the team first. These candidates will be responsible for designs and test structures ...
Physical Design Engineer
San Diego, CA · On-site
$145K - $150K/yr
Physical design engineers are ideally creative, motivated, energetic, pleasant to work with, and put the needs of the team first. These candidates will be responsible for designs and test structures ...
Physical Design Engineer - 2202599
$167K - $172K/yr
Physical Design Engineer Building AI chips that are hard-coded for individual model architectures. Physical Design Engineer Seeking exceptional PD engineers to join our team. The candidate will be ...
Quick apply
Apply Early
Physical Design Engineer - 2202599
$167K - $172K/yr
Physical Design Engineer Building AI chips that are hard-coded for individual model architectures. Physical Design Engineer Seeking exceptional PD engineers to join our team. The candidate will be ...
Apply Early
Physical Design Engineer
Frisco, TX · On-site
$127K - $131K/yr
This is a full time position with our company doing Physical Design Engineering. What you'll do * Lead end to end Physical Design from floorplan to GDS * Own full PnR flow: placement, CTS, routing ...
Physical Design Engineer
Frisco, TX · On-site
$127K - $131K/yr
This is a full time position with our company doing Physical Design Engineering. What you'll do * Lead end to end Physical Design from floorplan to GDS * Own full PnR flow: placement, CTS, routing ...
Freelance Physical Design Engineer information
See salary details
$23.52 is the 25th percentile. Wages below this are outliers.
$14.90 - $25.57
31% of jobs
The median wage is $32.14 / hr.
$25.57 - $36.23
31% of jobs
$36.23 - $46.90
4% of jobs
$56.23 is the 75th percentile. Wages above this are outliers.
$46.90 - $57.56
10% of jobs
$57.56 - $68.23
9% of jobs
$68.23 - $78.89
5% of jobs
$78.89 - $89.55
0% of jobs
$89.55 - $100.22
8% of jobs
$100.22 - $110.88
0% of jobs
$110.88 - $121.55
0% of jobs
$121.55 - $132.21
1% of jobs
$14
$47
$132
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 the United States is $47.71, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.28 and $61.78 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.
What is the difference between Freelance Physical Design Engineer vs Full-Time Physical Design Engineer?
| Aspect | Freelance Physical Design Engineer | Full-Time Physical Design Engineer |
|---|---|---|
| Credentials | Typically requires a relevant degree and industry experience; certifications are optional | Requires a degree and often certifications or ongoing training |
| Work Environment | Independent, project-based, remote or on-site | Company office or dedicated team environment |
| Employer & Industry Usage | Hired by multiple clients across various companies; flexible engagements | Employed by a single company; stable employment |
| Work Scope | Specific projects, often short-term | Ongoing 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.
More about Freelance Physical Design Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Freelance Physical Design Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Freelance Physical Design Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Physical Design Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Physical Design Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Freelance Physical Design Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Freelance Physical Design Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Freelance Physical Design Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Freelance Physical Design Engineer jobs are:
$184K - $324K/yr
Full-time
Medical, Dental, Retirement
Posted 7 days ago
Apple rating
8.1
Based on 667 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz
5th of 30 rated technology retailers
Job description
At Apple we work every single day to craft products that enrich people’s lives. Do you love working on challenges that no one has solved yet? Do you like changing the game? We have an opportunity for a forward-thinking and unusually hardworking Physical Design Engineer. As a member of our wide-ranging group, you will have the rare and great opportunity to craft upcoming products that will delight and encourage millions of Apple’s customers every single day. In this role, we will be at the center of a PHY design effort working with architecture, CAD, timing, and logic design teams, with a critical impact on delivering outstanding PHY designs. You will be required to do physical designs of outstanding PHY design.
Description
As a Physical Design engineer you will contribute to all phases of physical design of high performance PHY design from RTL to delivery of our final GDSII. Your responsibilities include but are not limited to: Generate block/chip level static timing constraints. Build full chip floor-plan including pin placement, partitions and power grid. Develop and validate high performance low power clock network guidelines. Perform block level place and route and close the design to meet timing, area and power constraints. Generate and Implement ECOs to fix timing, noise and EM IR violations. Run Physical Design verification flow at chip/block level and provide guidelines to fix LVS/DRC violations to other designers. Participate in establishing CAD and physical design methodologies for correct by construction designs. Assist in flow development for chip integration.
Preferred Qualifications
The ideal candidate will have deep design experience in high PHY and/or SOC designs.
Deep Knowledge about industry standards and practices in Physical Design, including Physically aware synthesis, Floor-planning, and Place & Route.
Experience in developing and implementing Power-grid and Clock specifications.
Strong understanding of all aspects of Physical construction, Integration and Physical Verification.
Shown Knowledge of Basic SoC Architecture and HDL languages like Verilog to be able with logic design team for timing fixes.
Power user of industry standard Physical Design & Synthesis tools.
Deep Understanding of scripting languages such as Perl/Tcl, solid understanding of Extraction and STA methodology and tools.
Deep Understanding of Physical Design Verification methodology to debug LVS/DRC issues at chip/block level.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering and 10+ years experience preferred.
Pay & Benefits
At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $184,700 and $324,800, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple's discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple's Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You'll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses - including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. Learn more about Apple Benefits
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
Description
As a Physical Design engineer you will contribute to all phases of physical design of high performance PHY design from RTL to delivery of our final GDSII. Your responsibilities include but are not limited to: Generate block/chip level static timing constraints. Build full chip floor-plan including pin placement, partitions and power grid. Develop and validate high performance low power clock network guidelines. Perform block level place and route and close the design to meet timing, area and power constraints. Generate and Implement ECOs to fix timing, noise and EM IR violations. Run Physical Design verification flow at chip/block level and provide guidelines to fix LVS/DRC violations to other designers. Participate in establishing CAD and physical design methodologies for correct by construction designs. Assist in flow development for chip integration.
Preferred Qualifications
The ideal candidate will have deep design experience in high PHY and/or SOC designs.
Deep Knowledge about industry standards and practices in Physical Design, including Physically aware synthesis, Floor-planning, and Place & Route.
Experience in developing and implementing Power-grid and Clock specifications.
Strong understanding of all aspects of Physical construction, Integration and Physical Verification.
Shown Knowledge of Basic SoC Architecture and HDL languages like Verilog to be able with logic design team for timing fixes.
Power user of industry standard Physical Design & Synthesis tools.
Deep Understanding of scripting languages such as Perl/Tcl, solid understanding of Extraction and STA methodology and tools.
Deep Understanding of Physical Design Verification methodology to debug LVS/DRC issues at chip/block level.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering and 10+ years experience preferred.
Pay & Benefits
At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $184,700 and $324,800, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple's discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple's Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You'll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses - including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. Learn more about Apple Benefits
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
About Apple
Sourced by ZipRecruiter
Imagine what you could do here! At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming extraordinary products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your job and there's no telling what you could accomplish. Dynamic, intelligent people and inspiring, innovative technologies are the norm here. The people who work here have reinvented entire industries with all Apple Hardware products. The same real passion for innovation that goes into our products also applies to our practices strengthening our dedication to leave the world better than we found it.
Industry
Computer and electronic product manufacturing
Company size
10,000+ Employees
Headquarters location
Cupertino, CA, US
Year founded
1976