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Physical Design Engineer Internship Jobs in Chicago, IL

Filtration Group Corp

Design Engineer

Des Plaines, IL · On-site

$85K - $96K/yr

Previous product design experience (professional and/or internship). * Proficient in Creo with ... Working Conditions & Physical Requirements * Primarily office-based and requires the ability to ...

Filtration Group Corp

Design Engineer

Des Plaines, IL

$85K - $96K/yr

Previous product design experience (professional and/or internship). * Proficient in Creo with ... Working Conditions & Physical Requirements * Primarily office-based and requires the ability to ...

Ashby

Design Engineer - Americas

Chicago, IL · Remote

$126K - $250K/yr

You have 2+ years of continuous experience (e.g., internships don't count) as an Engineer or a Designer. You have good proficiency in both Design and Engineering, with exceptional proficiency in the ...

SWE Solutions

Design Engineer I

Chicago, IL · On-site

$33 - $48/hr

Internship or co-op experience in civil design or construction projects. * Knowledge of local, state, and federal engineering standards and permitting processes. * Engineer-In-Training (EIT ...

SWE Solutions

Design Engineer I

Chicago, IL · On-site

$33 - $48/hr

Internship or co-op experience in civil design or construction projects. * Knowledge of local, state, and federal engineering standards and permitting processes. * Engineer-In-Training (EIT ...

SWE Solutions

Design Engineer I

Chicago, IL · On-site

$33 - $48/hr

Internship or co-op experience in civil design or construction projects. * Knowledge of local, state, and federal engineering standards and permitting processes. * Engineer-In-Training (EIT ...

OPTO International

Be Seen First

Design Engineer

Wood Dale, IL · On-site

$70K - $90K/yr

The Design Engineer will work within OPTO's component driven modular based store fixture system to ... and Physical Requirements: This position is based in an office environment. The role involves ...

County Materials Corporation

Design Engineer

Westmont, IL · On-site

$82K - $124K/yr

The Design Engineer (Precast Concrete) supports projects from initial design through fabrication ... Physical & Work Expectations: An individual in this position must be able to successfully perform ...

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Physical Design Engineer Internship information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$97.9K

$145.8K

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

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for physical design engineer internship in Chicago, IL is $143,611.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $140,100.00 and $144,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a physical design engineer internship?

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 do physical design engineer interns do?

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.

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

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 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 the most commonly searched types of Physical Design Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL?

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

What are popular job titles related to Physical Design Engineer Internship jobs in Chicago, IL?

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

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

The top searched job categories for Physical Design Engineer Internship jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Physical Design Engineer Internship jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Physical Design Engineer Internship job openings:

Physical Design Engineer Internship jobs near you
Infographic showing various Physical Design Engineer Internship job openings in Chicago, IL as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 13% Internship, 71% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 97% In-person, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $143,611 per year, or $69 per hour.

Substation Physical Design Engineer

Kimley-Horn

Chicago, IL

$100K - $160K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 5 days ago

Kimley-Horn rating

8.9

Company rating: 8.9 out of 10

Based on 86 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

57th 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

Workplace

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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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