1

Physical Design Engineer Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Design Engineer

Fort Collins, CO · On-site

$60.20K - $96.30K/yr

Contribute to the physical design implementation of large-scale ASICs (multi-hundred-million gate complexity). * Support key design activities including floorplanning, placement, clock tree synthesis ...

Design Engineer

Fort Collins, CO · On-site

$60.20K - $96.30K/yr

Contribute to the physical design implementation of large-scale ASICs (multi-hundred-million gate complexity). * Support key design activities including floorplanning, placement, clock tree synthesis ...

Physical Substation Engineer

Denver, CO · On-site

$101.40K - $129.20K/yr

Detailed physical design for high voltage substations including creating or modifying: * Single ... Generating engineering fee estimates * Providing field support during construction and ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Physical Design Engineer information

See Colorado salary details

$99.9K

$148.8K

How much do physical design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of May 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for physical design engineer in Colorado is $146,590.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $143,000.00 and $147,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Physical Design Engineer job?

A Physical Design Engineer is responsible for transforming logical circuit designs into a physical layout that can be manufactured as an integrated circuit (IC). They focus on key aspects like floor planning, placement, clock tree synthesis (CTS), routing, and timing closure while ensuring power and performance optimization. They work with Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools and collaborate with front-end designers to meet design specifications. The role requires proficiency in tools such as Cadence, Synopsys, or Mentor Graphics and knowledge of processes like ASIC or SoC design.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Physical Design Engineer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Physical Design Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering, experience with ASIC or SoC design methodologies, and a deep understanding of digital circuit fundamentals. Proficiency with EDA tools like Synopsys, Cadence, or Mentor Graphics, as well as familiarity with scripting languages and industry certifications, is highly valued. Attention to detail, effective teamwork, and strong problem-solving skills are essential soft skills for this role. These qualifications are crucial as they enable efficient chip design, ensure successful project delivery, and foster productive collaboration in complex engineering environments.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a Physical Design Engineer?

As a Physical Design Engineer, your daily responsibilities typically include taking logical circuit designs and translating them into physical layouts, performing floorplanning, placement, and routing of blocks, and conducting timing closure and verification. You will use specialized EDA tools to ensure that designs meet performance, power, and area requirements, collaborating closely with design, verification, and manufacturing teams. The role also involves resolving design issues, optimizing chip layouts, and preparing design data for fabrication. Working in this position provides exposure to advanced technology nodes and the opportunity to contribute directly to the development of cutting-edge semiconductor products.
What are the most commonly searched types of Physical Design Engineer jobs in Colorado? The most popular types of Physical Design Engineer jobs in Colorado are:
What job categories do people searching Physical Design Engineer jobs in Colorado look for? The top searched job categories for Physical Design Engineer jobs in Colorado are:
What cities in Colorado are hiring for Physical Design Engineer jobs? Cities in Colorado with the most Physical Design Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Physical Design Engineer job openings in Colorado as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 86% In-person, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $146,590 per year, or $70.5 per hour.
Substation Physical Design Engineer

Substation Physical Design Engineer

Kimley-Horn

Greenwood Village, CO

$99.70K - $127K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 9 days ago


Kimley-Horn rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 82 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

36th of 349 rated engineering


Job description

Overview

Kimley-Horn's Denver, CO office is seeking a Substation Physical Design Engineer to support the layout and physical design of highvoltage substations across developer, EPC, and utility projects. This role supports both utilitydriven standards compliance and fastpaced developer schedules, requiring strong engineering judgment and practical constructability focus. Projects span multiple clients and delivery models, requiring adaptability, strong engineering judgment, and comfort working across varied scopes.

Responsibilities
  • Develop substation general arrangements, equipment layouts, and electrical elevations from concept through IFC
  • Design grounding plans, conduit plans, raceway layouts, and cable schedules
  • Provide clear redlined layouts and technical direction to designers and drafters
  • Coordinate with protection & control, civil, and structural disciplines
  • Review vendor drawings and resolve constructability and standards issues
  • Support construction, RFIs, and asbuilt documentation
Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering
  • 4+ years of substation physical design experience
  • Strong understanding of grounding, clearances, and utility design practices
  • Familiarity with NESC, IEEE, and utility standards
  • PE license preferred or in progress

Salary Range:

  • $100,000 - $130,000
  • Eligible for Performance Based Bonus Compensation
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

Get the full story on Breakroom


Kimley-Horn logo

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