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Physical Design Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

DensityAI

Physical Design Engineer

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$230K - $400K/yr

About the role Own floorplan-to-signoff physical design for one or more blocks of our AI accelerator silicon. Work with chip-design and software teams driving DensityAI's AI accelerator program from ...

Etched

Physical Design Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$200K - $300K/yr

Job Summary Etched is looking for exceptional Physical Design engineers to join our team. In this role, you will own block-level implementation and verification, drive timing closure and PPA ...

Etched

Physical Design Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$150K - $275K/yr

Job Summary Etched is looking for exceptional Physical Design engineers to join our team. In this role, you will own block-level implementation and verification, drive timing closure and PPA ...

The Consensus

Physical Design Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$180 - $240/hr

Job Summary Etched is looking for exceptional Physical Design engineers to join our team. In this role, you will own block-level implementation and verification, drive timing closure and PPA ...

Mirafra Technology

Physical Design Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$144K - $148K/yr

Job Overview: The Graphics team is looking for Experienced Physical Design Engineers to work on Adreno Graphics cores in the area of Physical Implementation. Responsibilities: The Physical ...

CivicMinds, Inc.

Physical Design Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$145K - $150K/yr

Physical design engineers are ideally creative, motivated, energetic, pleasant to work with, and put the needs of the team first. These candidates will be responsible for designs and test structures ...

Mirafra Technology

Physical Design Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$144K - $148K/yr

Physical Design Engineer Location : San Diego,CA Type : Full Time Job Overview: To do Floor planning, P&R, timing closure SI prevention/fixing, power planning, CTS, PV and I/R drop for Block as well ...

Broadcom

Physical Design Engineer

San Jose, CA

$159K - $164K/yr

Broadcom is searching for a Physical IC Design Engineer to join the Data Center Solutions Group at our main campus in Colorado Springs, Colorado. This position involves working with the latest ...

Meta

ASIC Engineer, Physical Design

Sunnyvale, CA

$178K/yr

The Physical Design team is responsible for translating RTL into manufacturable, high-performance silicon by owning the full physical implementation flow from floorplanning through signoff. In this ...

Broadcom

Physical Design Engineer

San Jose, CA

$159K - $164K/yr

Broadcom is searching for a Physical IC Design Engineer to join the Data Center Solutions Group at our main campus in Colorado Springs, Colorado.This position involves working with the latest ...

Eridu Corporation

Physical Design Engineer

Saratoga, CA · On-site

$210 - $250/hr

Involving all aspects of physical design functions such as P&R, timing, floorplan, clocking, electrical analysis, and power. * Proficiency in Synthesis design constraints (SDC). * Design and ...

Altera

Senior Physical Design Engineer

San Jose, CA

$133K - $192K/yr

Perform physical design implementation of custom IP and SoC designs from RTL through GDSII to create a manufacturing-ready design database. * Execute all aspects of the physical design flow ...

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All JobsPhysical Design JobsPhysical Design Jobs in California

Physical Design information

See California salary details

$93.8K

$139.6K

How much do physical design jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for physical design in California is $137,583.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $134,200.00 and $138,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is physical design in the context of electronics and semiconductors?

Physical design refers to the process of transforming a circuit's logical representation into a geometrical layout that can be manufactured on a semiconductor chip. This involves placing and routing the various components, such as transistors and interconnections, while meeting performance, power, and area constraints. Physical design engineers use specialized software tools to optimize the layout and ensure it adheres to manufacturing rules. The process is a critical step in the development of integrated circuits (ICs) and directly impacts the chip’s speed, power consumption, and size.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a physical design engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Physical Design Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering, digital circuit design, and VLSI concepts, usually supported by a relevant degree. Proficiency with EDA tools like Cadence, Synopsys, or Mentor Graphics, as well as familiarity with scripting languages (e.g., TCL, Perl), is essential. Strong problem-solving, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you address complex design challenges and collaborate within cross-functional teams. These competencies are crucial for optimizing chip layouts, ensuring manufacturability, and meeting performance and timing requirements in semiconductor development.

What are some common challenges faced by physical design engineers in meeting timing closure during chip development?

Physical Design engineers often encounter challenges in achieving timing closure due to factors such as increasing circuit complexity, tight power and area constraints, and process variations. Meeting timing goals requires careful floorplanning, placement, and routing, as well as close collaboration with logic design and verification teams to resolve critical path issues. Engineers must also frequently iterate designs and use advanced EDA tools to optimize performance while balancing trade-offs between speed, power, and manufacturability.

How to get into physical design?

To enter physical design, candidates typically need a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a related field. Gaining experience with hardware description languages like VHDL or Verilog, and proficiency in EDA tools such as Synopsys or Cadence, is essential. Internships or entry-level positions in chip design can also provide valuable practical experience.

What is the difference between Physical Design vs Logic Design?

AspectPhysical DesignLogic Design
Primary FocusTranslating logical circuits into physical layoutsCreating logical circuit schematics and functional specifications
Skills RequiredEDA tools, layout constraints, circuit optimizationHardware description languages, digital logic, circuit theory
Work EnvironmentASIC/FPGA design teams, semiconductor companiesDesign teams, electronic design automation (EDA) environments
CertificationsTypically none specific, but EDA tool proficiency is valuedHardware description language certifications (e.g., VHDL, Verilog)

Physical Design and Logic Design are closely related stages in chip development. Logic Design focuses on creating the logical circuit functions, while Physical Design involves implementing those functions into physical layouts on silicon. Both roles require knowledge of digital circuits, but Physical Design emphasizes layout optimization and tool proficiency, whereas Logic Design centers on circuit behavior and description.

What are the most commonly searched types of Physical Design jobs in California? The most popular types of Physical Design jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Physical Design jobs in California? For Physical Design jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Physical Design jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Physical Design jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Physical Design jobs? Cities in California with the most Physical Design job openings:
Physical Design jobs near you
Infographic showing various Physical Design job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $137,583 per year, or $66.1 per hour.

Physical Design Engineer

System Canada Technologies

Irvine, CA

$146K - $150K/yr

Contractor

Re-posted 14 days ago

Job description

Company Description

SCT resources have a broad range of skills in different technologies. The large skill-set has been made possible by a conscious focus on strengthening our skills base. Every person selected for our team brings something new, something that adds to our offerings. We learn continuously, both on the job and through formal training programs.

Job Description

Job Description:

Physical design implementation at block or top level, low power techniques and timing closure

Job Duties Include:

- Will own all parts of the physical design process from netlist handoff to tapeout including floorplanning, place and route, clock tree synthesis, timing closure and physical verification

- Verify effects of crosstalk, IR drop and electromigration

- Very comfortable writing scripts in TCL and Perl to achieve higher performance and productivity through automation

- Work very closely with logic designers, who are members of this same group, to build complex SOC's

Job Requirements:

- BSEE with 6+ (or MSEE with 3+) years related experience;

- Physical design knowledge, from netlist handoff to GDS tapeout including floorplanning, place and route, clock tree synthesis, timing closure and physical verification

- Experience with 45nm or 28nm technology

- Experience with low power techniques

- Experience with TCL and Perl

- Excellent communication and presentation skills

- Well organized, methodical and detail oriented

System Canada logo

About System Canada

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

System Canada delivers high end solutions in corporate world. Our resources have a broad range of skills in different technologies.The large skill-set has been made possible by a conscious focus on strengthening our skills base. Every person selected for our team brings something new, something that adds to our offerings. We learn continuously, both on the job and through formal training programs.

Industry

It services

Company size

11 - 50 Employees

Headquarters location

Toronto, ON, CA

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