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Physical Design Engineer Intern Jobs in Elgin, IL

SWE Solutions

Construction Engineer Intern

Lombard, IL · On-site

$20 - $30/hr

... design plans, specifications, and safety standards. * Support engineers in preparing project ... Physical Requirements: * Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions. * Capacity to ...

SWE Solutions

Construction Engineer Intern

Lombard, IL · On-site

$20 - $30/hr

... design plans, specifications, and safety standards. * Support engineers in preparing project ... Physical Requirements: * Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions. * Capacity to ...

SWE Solutions

Construction Engineer Intern

Lombard, IL · On-site

$20 - $30/hr

... design plans, specifications, and safety standards. * Support engineers in preparing project ... Physical Requirements: * Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions. * Capacity to ...

zahgroup

Electrical Engineer Intern

Lincolnshire, IL

$28/hr

... Design and build prototypes and test fixtures to make recommendations for product improvements. 5. ... Pay: $28/hour Physical Demand Requirements Occasionally required to stand, walk or sit; use hands ...

New

zahgroup

Mechanical Engineer Intern

Lincolnshire, IL

$26 - $28/hr

Design and build prototypes and test fixtures to make recommendations for improvement. * Work in ... Pay: $26-28/hour Physical Demand Requirements Occasionally required to stand, walk or sit; use ...

New

zahgroup

Mechanical Engineer Intern

Lincolnshire, IL

$28/hr

Design and build prototypes and test fixtures to make recommendations for improvement. * Work in ... Pay: $28/hour Physical Demand Requirements Occasionally required to stand, walk or sit; use hands ...

New

zahgroup

Mechanical Engineer Intern

Lincolnshire, IL · On-site

$28/hr

Design and build prototypes and test fixtures to make recommendations for improvement. * Work in ... Pay: $28/hour Physical Demand Requirements Occasionally required to stand, walk or sit; use hands ...

New

DRW

Platform Engineer Intern

Chicago, IL · On-site

$175K/yr

As a Platform Engineer Intern , you will be part of our advanced technology team focused on ... Design, write, and deliver software to improve the availability, scalability, latency, and ...

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All JobsPhysical Design Engineer Intern JobsPhysical Design Engineer Intern Jobs in Elgin, IL

Physical Design Engineer Intern information

See Elgin, IL salary details

$10

$19

$29

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

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for physical design engineer intern in Elgin, IL is $19.09, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.91 and $20.67 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 are the most commonly searched types of Physical Design Engineer jobs in Elgin, IL?

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

What are popular job titles related to Physical Design Engineer Intern jobs in Elgin, IL?

For Physical Design Engineer Intern jobs in Elgin, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Physical Design Engineer Intern jobs in Elgin, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Physical Design Engineer Intern jobs in Elgin, IL are:

What cities near Elgin, IL are hiring for Physical Design Engineer Intern jobs?

Cities near Elgin, IL with the most Physical Design Engineer Intern job openings:

Physical Design Engineer Intern jobs near you
Infographic showing various Physical Design Engineer Intern job openings in Elgin, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $39,713 per year, or $19.1 per hour.

Substation Physical Design Engineer

Kimley-Horn

Chicago, IL

$100K - $160K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 10 days ago

Kimley-Horn rating

8.9

Company rating: 8.9 out of 10

Based on 86 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

59th of 450 rated engineering

Job description

Overview

Kimley-Horn's Chicago, Illinois (IL) office is seeking a Substation Physical Design Engineer with 4+ years of experience to join the Power Delivery team. This is not a remote position.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will support the design, and execution of high-voltage and medium-voltage substation projects for utility, renewable energy, and industrial clients. Responsibilities include developing physical layouts, equipment arrangements, grounding systems, lightning protection systems, and construction drawing packages while coordinating closely with protection and control, civil, structural, and electrical disciplines. The ideal candidate is a self-driven engineer with strong technical skills, experience in substation design standards and industry practices, and the ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.

  • Perform conceptual and detailed HV and MV substation physical/electrical design for utilities and substations, including basic layout, electrical arrangement, one-line diagrams, three-line drawings, plan-section drawings, and grounding.
  • Perform engineering studies and calculations.
  • Perform quality control reviews on substation physical design projects.
  • Assume the role of technical lead on projects with limited guidance.
  • Create and review bills of materials for substation physical projects.
  • Develop and review proposals and scopes of work for smaller substation physical projects.
  • Plan and lead client meetings, or meeting sections, related to physical design as required.
  • Support the continued professional development of less experienced engineers, including technical guidance and training recommendations.
  • Communicate effectively with internal teams and clients to meet project objectives.
  • Develop leadership skills in preparation for future roles on the team.
Qualifications
  • 4+ years of relevant engineering experience in substation design.
  • Preferred (but not required): Professional Engineering (P.E.) license, or ability to obtain within 12 months.
  • Proficiency with industry-standard design software such as AutoCAD, MicroStation and inventor.
  • Experience with grounding studies, lightning protection studies, and lighting studies.

Salary Range: $100,000-$160,000

Why Kimley-Horn?

At Kimley-Horn, we do things differently. People, clients, and employees are at the forefront of who we are. Clients know we prioritize achieving their goals and growing their success. Employees know our culture and approach to business are built on a desire to provide an environment for everyone to flourish. Our commitment to quality is only as good as the people behind it- that's why we welcome and develop passionate, hardworking, and proactive employees. We take pride in how our employee retention, robust benefits package, and company values have led to Kimley-Horn's placement on the Fortune "100 Best Companies to Work" list for 19 years!

Key Benefits at Kimley-Horn

  • Exceptional Retirement Plan: 2-to1- company match on up to 4% of eligible compensation (salary + bonus) and additional profit-sharing contribution.
  • Comprehensive Health Coverage: Low-cost medical, dental, and vision insurance options.
  • Time Off: Personal leave, flexible scheduling, floating holidays, and half-day Fridays.
  • Financial Wellness: Student loan matching in our 401(k), and performance-based bonuses.
  • Professional Development: Tuition reimbursement and extensive internal training programs.
  • Family-Friendly Benefits: New Parent Leave, family building benefits, and childcare resources.
Education:Bachelor's DegreeEmployment Type: FULL_TIME

What Kimley-Horn employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

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About Kimley-Horn

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

We are a full-service consulting firm that provides a wide range of infrastructure and land development planning and engineering services to both public and private clients. Though we have more than 6,000 employees in 100+ offices, we pride ourselves on our small company feel. At Kimley-Horn, we do things differently. People--clients and employees--are at the forefront of our business. Clients know we are laser-focused on their success. Employees know our culture and approach to business are built on a desire to see our staff flourish, one and all. Both groups know that with Kimley-Horn, they can expect more and experience better.

Industry

Specialized design services

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Raleigh, NC, US

Year founded

1967

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