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Physical Design Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Substation Physical Design Engineer

Richmond, VA · On-site

$97K - $124K/yr

Kimley-Horn's Richmond office is seeking a Substation Physical Design Engineer with 4+ years of experience to join the Power Delivery team. The successful candidate will support the design, and ...

Substation Physical Design Engineer

Richmond, VA · On-site

$97K - $124K/yr

Overview Kimley-Horn's Richmond office is seeking a Substation Physical Design Engineer with 4+ years of experience to join the Power Delivery team. The successful candidate will support the design ...

Design Engineer CRI is looking to hire a Design Engineer in the Washington DC, Virginia, Maryland ... integrated physical and cybersecurity solutions and cutting-edge IT services, that elevate ...

Design Engineer Would you like to be part of a family who loves to take on exciting challenges ... Hearing protection PPE only required with working in the plant PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS This is an ...

Design Engineer Would you like to be part of a family who loves to take on exciting challenges ... Hearing protection PPE only required with working in the plant PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS This is an ...

Design Engineer Would you like to be part of a family who loves to take on exciting challenges ... Hearing protection PPE only required with working in the plant PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS This is an ...

Design Engineer Would you like to be part of a family who loves to take on exciting challenges ... Hearing protection PPE only required with working in the plant PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS This is an ...

Design Engineer

Winchester, VA · On-site

$70K - $90K/yr

Design Engineer JOB DATA Department Code: 807X Account Code: 701000 Department Name: Engineering ... Hearing protection PPE only required with working in the plant PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS This is an ...

Design Engineer

Suffolk, VA · On-site

$68K - $85K/mo

The Design Engineer is a vital member of the AMADAS product development team, playing a hands-on ... FEA)Willingness to do physical labor through shops and fieldwork.Ability to travel and work ...

Design Engineer

Suffolk, VA · On-site

$68K - $85K/mo

The Design Engineer is a vital member of the AMADAS product development team, playing a hands-on ... FEA)Willingness to do physical labor through shops and fieldwork.Ability to travel and work ...

You will develop complete engineering packages at progressive levels of detail (30%, 80%, 90%, and final design), incorporating physical security infrastructure including intrusion detection, CCTV ...

You will develop complete engineering packages at progressive levels of detail (30%, 80%, 90%, and final design), incorporating physical security infrastructure including intrusion detection, CCTV ...

Mechanical Design Engineer

Richmond, VA · On-site

$100K - $130K/yr

Mechanical Design Engineer Supervisor's Title : Director, Design Engineering Department ... Physical Requirements: • Able to lift 40 pounds unassisted • Able to reach, bend, kneel and ...

Design Engineer Associate

Tysons, VA · On-site

$75K - $94K/yr

We design, build, operate, and maintain cyber-physical solutions for the nation's most mission ... Our people are passionate about engineering innovation that improves lives and drives impactful ...

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Showing results 1-20

Physical Design Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$94.2K

$140.3K

How much do physical design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for physical design engineer in Virginia is $138,213.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $134,800.00 and $138,800.00 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 Virginia? The most popular types of Physical Design Engineer jobs in Virginia are:
What job categories do people searching Physical Design Engineer jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Physical Design Engineer jobs in Virginia are:
Infographic showing various Physical Design Engineer job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $138,213 per year, or $66.4 per hour.
Substation Physical Design Engineer

Substation Physical Design Engineer

Kimley-Horn

Richmond, VA • On-site

$97K - $124K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 7 days ago


Kimley-Horn rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 85 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

38th of 369 rated engineering


Job description

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


• 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.


  • 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.

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.

What Kimley-Horn employees say

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Get the full story on Breakroom


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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