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Physical Design Jobs in Massachusetts (NOW HIRING)

Conductor

Physical Design Engineer

Boston, MA · On-site

$130 - $170/hr

We're looking for physical design engineers to help manage and execute the physical design process for the various dies that comprise our A-0 and A-1 systems. This will involve deciding what to do in ...

Apple

SoC Physical Design Engineer, PnR

Waltham, MA · On-site

$146K - $151K/yr

We are seeking a seasoned Physical Design technical leader with deep expertise in high-performance & low-power design. In this highly visible role, you will work closely with cross-functional teams ...

Apple

SoC Physical Design Engineer, PnR

Waltham, MA · On-site

$146K - $151K/yr

Description In Physical Design, you will be at the center of design effort collaborating with architecture, CAD, timing and logic design teams, with a critical impact on delivering best in class ...

Cisco

ASIC Physical Design Engineer

Maynard, MA · On-site

$128K - $184K/yr

Your Impact As a Physical Design Engineer with Acacia, you will focus on the technical execution of high-performance ASIC designs. Working as an individual contributor, you will lead the RTL-to-GDSII ...

Nvidia

Senior Physical Design Engineer

Westford, MA · On-site

NVIDIA is looking for best-in-class Senior Physical Design Engineers to join our outstanding Networking Silicon engineering team, developing the industry's best high speed communication devices ...

Apple

SoC Physical Design Engineer, PnR

Waltham, MA

$116K - $175K/yr

Description In Physical Design, you will be at the center of design effort collaborating with architecture, CAD, timing and logic design teams, with a critical impact on delivering best in class ...

Apple

SoC Physical Design Engineer, PnR

Waltham, MA

$134K - $249K/yr

We are seeking a seasoned Physical Design technical leader with deep expertise in high-performance & low-power design. In this highly visible role, you will work closely with cross-functional teams ...

Lightmatter

Sr. Staff Physical Design Engineer

Boston, MA

$147K - $152K/yr

We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Physical Design Engineer to work on the implementation of complex digital blocks. In this role, you will leverage your expertise in advanced process nodes (3nm ...

Lightmatter

Sr. Staff Physical Design Engineer

Boston, MA · On-site

$217K - $267K/yr

We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Physical Design Engineer to work on the implementation of complex digital blocks. In this role, you will leverage your expertise in advanced process nodes (3nm ...

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Physical Design information

See Massachusetts salary details

$103.8K

$154.5K

How much do physical design jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for physical design in Massachusetts is $152,251.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $148,500.00 and $152,900.00 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.

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.

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 future of physical design?

The future of physical design involves increased automation through advanced EDA tools, integration of machine learning for optimization, and a focus on low-power, high-performance chip layouts. Physical design engineers will need to stay updated on emerging technologies like 3D ICs and advanced process nodes to meet industry demands.

What are the most commonly searched types of Physical Design jobs in Massachusetts?

The most popular types of Physical Design jobs in Massachusetts are:

What are popular job titles related to Physical Design jobs in Massachusetts?

For Physical Design jobs in Massachusetts, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Physical Design jobs in Massachusetts look for?

The top searched job categories for Physical Design jobs in Massachusetts are:

Physical Design jobs near you
Infographic showing various Physical Design job openings in Massachusetts as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $152,251 per year, or $73.2 per hour.

Physical Design Engineer

Boston, MA • On-site

Conductor
See more jobs at Conductorexternal

$130 - $170/hr

Other

Posted 15 days ago

Job description

We’re looking for physical design engineers to help manage and execute the physical design process for the various dies that comprise our A-0 and A-1 systems. This will involve deciding what to do in-house and outsource, and then managing the outsourced process and integrating it with the in-house flow and effort.

Ideal Candidates:

Ideal candidates will have:

  • Hands-on experience with the physical design process for at least one block in multiple advanced node tapeouts
  • Ability to understand what PPA limiters are from RTL and coordinate with microarchitects to change the RTL to improve/fix them
  • Experience both with in-house and outsourced physical design flows
Nice to Have:
  • Experience with physical design process for multi-die/multi-chiplet/MCM designs
  • Experience with physical design process for reticle-max or near reticle max designs
  • Experience with very high power density chips
  • Experience with the physical design process for AI chips
  • Experience with the physical design process of analog and mixed signal blocks and macros
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