1

Physical Design Engineer Internship Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Physical Design Engineer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$167K - $172K/yr

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 ...

Physical Design Engineer

Beaverton, OR

$141K - $145K/yr

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 ...

Physical Design Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$160K - $164K/yr

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 ...

Physical Design Engineer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$167K - $172K/yr

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 ...

Physical Design Engineer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$167K - $172K/yr

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 ...

Physical Design Engineer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$167K - $172K/yr

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 ...

Physical Design Engineer

Beaverton, OR · On-site

$141K - $145K/yr

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 ...

Physical Design Engineer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$167K - $172K/yr

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 ...

Physical Design Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$160K - $164K/yr

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 ...

Physical Design Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$160K - $164K/yr

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 ...

Physical Design Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$159K - $164K/yr

Physical Design Engineer / Staff Engineer Location : San Jose CA Contract More than 12 months Relocation consultants are also considerable.. Job Responsibilities: We are seeking experienced Physical ...

Physical Design Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$160K - $164K/yr

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 ...

$140K - $156K/yr

The Physical Design Engineer willbe an integral part of the physical design team with all aspects of physical design implementation and verification tasks for Ambarella's cutting edgelow powerAISoC ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Physical Design Engineer Internship information

See salary details

$95K

$141.5K

How much do physical design engineer internship jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for physical design engineer internship in the United States is $139,408.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $136,000.00 and $140,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Physical Design Engineer Internship vs Digital IC Design Engineer?

AspectPhysical Design Engineer InternshipDigital IC Design Engineer
Required CredentialsTypically pursuing or recent graduate in Electrical Engineering or Computer EngineeringBachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field
Work EnvironmentInternship setting within semiconductor or electronics companies, hands-on design tasksFull-time professional role, involved in digital circuit design and verification
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by semiconductor companies, chip design firms, and tech companies for trainingFull-time employment in similar companies, focusing on digital IC development

The Physical Design Engineer Internship provides hands-on experience in chip layout and physical implementation, often for students or recent grads. In contrast, the Digital IC Design Engineer role involves full-time digital circuit design and verification. Both roles are essential in semiconductor development, but internships serve as entry points for aspiring engineers to gain industry exposure.

What are Physical Design Engineer internships?

Physical Design Engineer internships are opportunities for students or recent graduates to gain hands-on experience in the field of semiconductor design, focusing on the physical implementation of integrated circuits (ICs). Interns typically work alongside experienced engineers to learn about tasks such as floorplanning, placement, routing, timing analysis, and verification using industry-standard Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools. These internships provide exposure to the complete chip design flow, allowing interns to apply their knowledge of digital design and learn about key challenges in transforming logical circuit designs into manufacturable silicon. The experience is highly valuable for those seeking a career in VLSI or hardware engineering.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Physical Design Engineer Intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Physical Design Engineer Intern, you generally need a solid understanding of digital circuit design, VLSI concepts, and coursework in electrical or computer engineering. Familiarity with EDA tools like Cadence, Synopsys, or Mentor Graphics, along with knowledge of scripting languages such as TCL or Python, is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help interns excel in team environments and complex problem-solving. These skills and qualifications are vital for ensuring accurate, efficient chip design and successful integration within engineering teams.

What are some typical projects or tasks a Physical Design Engineer intern can expect to work on during their internship?

As a Physical Design Engineer intern, you’ll typically assist with tasks such as floorplanning, placement, clock tree synthesis, and routing for integrated circuit (IC) designs. You may also help analyze timing, power, and area, supporting senior engineers in optimizing chip layouts. Interns often use industry-standard EDA tools and collaborate closely with teams in RTL design and verification. This hands-on experience allows you to develop your technical skills while gaining insight into the collaborative workflow of semiconductor design.
More about Physical Design Engineer Internship jobs
What cities are hiring for Physical Design Engineer Internship jobs? Cities with the most Physical Design Engineer Internship 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 Physical Design Engineer Internship jobs? States with the most job openings for Physical Design Engineer Internship jobs include:
Design Engineer Internship - Fall 2026

Design Engineer Internship - Fall 2026

LiquidPiston, Inc.

Suffield, CT • On-site

Full-time, Internship

Posted 28 days ago


Job description

Design Engineer Internship-LiquidPiston: Multiple Openings Available
Location: This role is fully onsite in Bloomfield, CT, five days per week, and the company will be relocating to Suffield, CT later in 2026. (relocation assistance not available)
Employment Type: Full-time Internship (Fall 2026)
Compensation: Paid
About LiquidPiston:
LiquidPiston is a fast-growing propulsion technology company reinventing the internal combustion engine with our patented X-Engine rotary architecture and High Efficiency Hybrid Cycle (HEHC). Our engines deliver dramatically higher power density, efficiency, fuel flexibility, and compactness than traditional piston designs - making them ideal for UAVs, defense systems, hybrid-electric propulsion, portable power, and aerospace applications.
We're transitioning from pure R&D to industrialization and commercialization, creating exciting opportunities to impact real product development in a small, high-energy team.
Internship Overview:
LiquidPiston has multiple openings for Design Engineer Interns within our mechanical design and engine development teams. These roles focus on hands-on component and subsystem design for our rotary engines and related systems. You'll work closely with senior design engineers, simulation specialists, and test teams in a collaborative, prototype-heavy environment.
This is a high-ownership internship - expect to take real designs from concept through CAD modeling, analysis support, prototyping, and testing iteration. Ideal for students passionate about mechanical design, engines, and rapid prototyping who want meaningful contributions to next-generation power systems.
Key Responsibilities:
  • Support conceptual and detailed design of rotary engine components (housings, rotors, seals, bearings, combustors, cooling systems, etc.) using SolidWorks or similar CAD tools
  • Create and modify 3D models, assemblies, and detailed drawings following ASME standards
  • Assist in design analysis using hand calculations, basic FEA (structural/thermal), and collaboration with simulation engineers
  • Participate in rapid prototyping: prepare files for additive manufacturing (polymer/metal), CNC machining, or in-house fabrication
  • Support design reviews, tolerance stack-ups, and manufacturability assessments
  • Help iterate designs based on test results, simulation feedback, or manufacturing constraints
  • Contribute to fixture/tooling design for engine assembly or testing
  • Document designs, changes, and findings in reports, Asana tasks, or shared drives
  • Collaborate across mechanical, manufacturing, controls, and test teams
Qualifications (Required):
  • Currently pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field (rising junior/senior or graduate level preferred)
  • Strong proficiency in SolidWorks (or equivalent: Fusion 360, Creo, CATIA) for solid modeling, assemblies, and drawings
  • Solid fundamentals in mechanical design, mechanics of materials, thermodynamics, and manufacturing processes
  • Hands-on mindset - comfortable with prototyping, basic machining, or 3D printing
  • Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail
  • U.S. person status (citizen or permanent resident) preferred due to defense/aerospace-related projects
  • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, small-team environment with quick iteration cycles
Preferred Skills & Experience:
  • Prior project experience with engines, rotaries, high-performance vehicles, Formula SAE, UAVs, or robotics
  • Exposure to GD&T, tolerance analysis, or design for manufacturing/assembly (DFM/DFA)
  • Basic FEA experience (SolidWorks Simulation, ANSYS, or similar)
  • Familiarity with additive manufacturing workflows or topology optimization
  • Interest in internal combustion engines, hybrid systems, or advanced propulsion
  • Previous internship or co-op in mechanical design, automotive, or aerospace

Our Culture
At LiquidPiston, we challenge convention and solve hard problems. We move fast, think boldly, and iterate quickly. Our team thrives on collaboration, creativity, and resilience. We take calculated risks and believe that every setback is a steppingstone toward breakthrough innovation.
Equal Opportunity Employer
LiquidPiston, Inc. is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or veteran status, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.
All offers of employment at LiquidPiston are contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment background check, drug screening and credit check.