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Physical Design Engineer Intern Jobs in Chelsea, MI

Engineer innovative design concepts for new products utilizing CAD and other software tools ... PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS * This position is subject to medium work; Exerting up to 50 pounds of force ...

Engineer innovative design concepts for new products utilizing CAD and other software tools ... PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS * This position is subject to medium work; Exerting up to 50 pounds of force ...

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Physical Design Engineer Intern information

See Chelsea, MI salary details

$10

$18

$28

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

As of Aug 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for physical design engineer intern in Chelsea, MI is $18.31, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.24 and $19.81 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a physical design engineer intern do?

A Physical Design Engineer Intern assists in the process of transforming a circuit design (RTL) into a real, manufacturable layout for semiconductor chips. They work on tasks such as floorplanning, placement, routing, timing analysis, and verifying that the chip design meets all physical and electrical requirements. Interns typically use electronic design automation (EDA) tools to perform these tasks and collaborate with experienced engineers. Their work is crucial in ensuring that chips are both functional and manufacturable at scale.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a physical design engineer intern?

To thrive as a Physical Design Engineer Intern, you generally need a solid background in electrical engineering, digital circuit design, and semiconductor fundamentals, often supported by ongoing university studies in a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard EDA tools such as Cadence, Synopsys, or Mentor Graphics, as well as scripting languages like TCL or Python, is highly valuable. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork are crucial soft skills for excelling in this role. These skills and qualifications are important because they ensure accurate chip layouts, efficient workflows, and successful collaboration within complex engineering teams.

What types of projects and tasks can a physical design engineer intern expect to work on during their internship?

As a Physical Design Engineer Intern, you will typically be involved in supporting the design and verification of integrated circuits at the physical level. Common tasks include assisting with floorplanning, placement and routing, timing analysis, and running design rule checks using industry-standard EDA tools. You may also participate in team meetings, collaborate with senior engineers, and help resolve issues related to power, performance, and area optimization. These hands-on experiences are designed to help you build practical skills and gain a deeper understanding of the physical design flow in VLSI chip development.

What is the difference between Physical Design Engineer Intern vs Digital Design Engineer Intern?

AspectPhysical Design Engineer InternDigital Design Engineer Intern
Required CredentialsTypically pursuing or holding a degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer EngineeringTypically pursuing or holding a degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering
Work EnvironmentDesigning and implementing physical chip layouts, working with EDA toolsDesigning digital logic circuits, working on HDL coding and simulation
Industry UsageFoundries, semiconductor companies, integrated circuit design firmsSemiconductor companies, integrated circuit design firms, tech companies

Physical Design Engineer Interns focus on translating digital logic designs into physical layouts for chips, working closely with EDA tools. Digital Design Engineer Interns concentrate on creating and simulating digital logic circuits using hardware description languages. Both roles are essential in chip development but differ in their specific tasks and focus areas.

What cities near Chelsea, MI are hiring for Physical Design Engineer Intern jobs?

Cities near Chelsea, MI with the most Physical Design Engineer Intern job openings:

Infographic showing various Physical Design Engineer Intern job openings in Chelsea, MI as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $38,075 per year, or $18.3 per hour.

Electrical Engineer - Senior Level - Substation Physical Design Focus (Hybrid/Remote)

Barr

Ann Arbor, MI โ€ข On-site, Remote

$120K - $145K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 12 days ago


Job description

The role - what you'll do

Barr is seeking a substation physical design engineer to join our electrical engineering team. In this hybrid role, you will support the Engineering and Design business unit by interfacing with clients to support the development of substation physical design deliverables for utility upgrades, including greenfield/brownfield substations, wind facilities, and developer interconnection facilities. You will be responsible for understanding client and internal standards and developing deliverables for projects on time and within the budget.

A successful person in this role will have strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills. They must possess a flexible working style and be willing to occasionally modify their schedule to meet deadlines and/or client needs. They must be able to work cooperatively in a project team environment that encourages self-initiative and demonstrate effective project organization and management skills.

Your impact - key responsibilities

  • Technical knowledge: substation and switching station physical design; substation general arrangement drawings; substation elevation views; bill of materials; equipment layout; conduit layout; calculations including grounding analysis and design, cable, conduit, and transformer, sizing, lightning protection, and bus bracing; and specification preparation.

  • Project management: assist in planning, coordinating, and executing projects. Help ensure project milestones are met and provide regular updates to team members and clients.

  • Staff development: support the growth and development of team members.

  • Collaboration: build and sustain strong relationships with clients and internal teams. Collaborate across disciplines to align technical approaches with client goals while contributing to a positive, inclusive team culture.

About you - required core competencies

  • Education: bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a related field.

  • Experience: at least 10 years of relevant experience related to the job responsibilities described above.

  • Licenses/certifications: Professional Engineer (PE) certification or ability to obtain within one year.

  • Software: power systems analysis experience (SKM, EasyPower, ETAP).

  • Driver's license: possession of a current, valid driver's license and acceptable driving record.

  • Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for sponsorship by Barr, now or in the future.

Helpful additional experience (not required)

  • 15+ years of experience at a consulting engineering or industrial company.

  • Experience working directly with clients.

  • Familiarity with industry codes and standards (NEC, NESC, IEEE, NFPA).

About the opportunity

  • Hybrid: a hybrid work arrangement may be considered for this position. A hybrid work arrangement refers to splitting time worked between a Barr office and a home office. This position can be based out of Barr's Denver or Fort Collins, Colorado; Minneapolis, Duluth, or Hibbing, Minnesota; Grand Rapids or Ann Arbor, Michigan; Bismarck, North Dakota; or Salt Lake City, Utah, offices.

  • Remote: a remote work arrangement may be considered for this position. A remote arrangement refers to working primarily from a home office. Remote arrangements will be considered based on candidate qualifications, local regulations, and Barr's needs.

  • Travel expectation: Up to 10-15 percent domestic fieldwork.

  • Work environment: ability to work in locations that feature the rough terrain typical of construction sites or require lifting or moving field testing equipment. Safety training will be provided prior to being given work assignments on these sites. Applicants may be asked to participate in a drug screening program at the request of specific clients. Candidates must be able to perform job duties with or without reasonable accommodation.

  • Compensation: anticipated range of $120,000-$145,000 annually. Compensation will vary based on relevant experience, education, skill level, and other compensable factors. Employees in this position may also be eligible for a discretionary cash bonus based on team and individual performance. This position is classified as exempt (salaried) under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

#LI-Hybrid#LI-Remote

Benefits - what we offer

We are committed to providing an employee experience that attracts and retains top talent. That's why we offer a competitive package of employee benefits - including some unique offerings not found at other companies. At Barr, we also believe that learning doesn't stop when you get your degree, which is why we provide coaching, mentoring, and support for ongoing educational opportunities to foster professional development at every stage of your career.

  • Competitive, affordable insurance plans: Medical, dental, vision, life, disability, accidental death insurance, and flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care

  • Retirement benefits: 401(k) retirement savings plan with company contribution and an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) with company contribution in Barr stock

  • Profit distribution: Barr has a "no retained earnings" model and distributes all profit to our employees through our annual bonus distribution plan, ESOP, and dividends to shareholders

  • Professional development benefits: Annual time and expense allowances, mentorship program, and many internal training opportunities

  • Work/life balance: Paid time off, holidays, overtime for non-exempt/hourly staff, and compensatory time for exempt/salaried staff (time off or pay for extra time worked), paid family leave

  • Wellness focus: Ergonomic analysis and equipment, Personal Protective Equipment allowance, wellbeing-focused educational opportunities

Please note that benefits eligibility is determined and may change based on part-time, reduced-time, or full-time status.

About us - why choose Barr

At Barr, you'll join a community of engineers, scientists, and professionals who will help you achieve your ambitions and build a meaningful, rewarding career. You'll serve as a trusted advisor to clients who value Barr's tailored solutions and commitment to exceptional service.

As part of our employee-owned firm, you'll contribute to a culture of commitment and camaraderie where staff can thrive as professionals. We value diverse perspectives and experiences and believe an inclusive workplace is critical to our success.

To learn more about Barr's culture and values, visit: https://www.barr.com/Careers/Our-culture

Open positions at Barr Engineering Co. do not have application deadlines. Barr Engineering Co. is an equal opportunity employer, and all applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.