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Physical Design Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Evs

Substation Physical Design Engineer

Eden Prairie, MN · On-site +1

$85K - $120K/yr

SUBSTATION PHYSICAL DESIGN ENGINEER Location: Eden Prairie, MN | Hybrid | Remote Schedule: Full-Time Salary: $85,000 - $120,000 (based on experience) EVS is seeking a Substation Physical Design ...

Leidos

Senior Substation Physical Engineer

Minneapolis, MN · On-site +1

$109K - $149K/yr

In this role, you'll apply your expertise in digital logic design and AC/DC circuits to develop safe, reliable, and efficient substation physical layouts. From equipment arrangement to grounding and ...

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All JobsPhysical Design JobsPhysical Design Jobs in Minnesota

Physical Design information

See Minnesota salary details

$93K

$138.6K

How much do physical design jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for physical design in Minnesota is $136,538.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $133,200.00 and $137,100.00 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 in chip design involves increased automation through advanced EDA tools, integration of machine learning for optimization, and a focus on power efficiency and performance. As technology nodes shrink, physical design engineers will need to adapt to more complex constraints and tighter schedules, often requiring expertise in scripting and tool customization.

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

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

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

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

What cities in Minnesota are hiring for Physical Design jobs?

Cities in Minnesota with the most Physical Design job openings:

Physical Design jobs near you
Infographic showing various Physical Design job openings in Minnesota as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 18% 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 $136,538 per year, or $65.6 per hour.

Hardware Developer/ Physical Design Engineer

Donato Technologies, Inc

Rochester, MN • On-site

$138K - $142K/yr

Contractor

Re-posted 19 days ago

Job description

Job details
Job role: Hardware Developer/ Physical Design Engineer
Location: Rochester, MN
Duration: 12 months
 

Required Professional and Technical Expertise
 BS Computer/Electrical Engineering or related
 5+ years of experience in high-frequency processor physical design
 Proficiency in scription languages such as Python, Tcl, SKILL, etc.
 Hands-on experience with industry-standard Physical Design tools
 Strong understanding of physical design flows and methodologies
 Excellent teamwork and collaboration skills
 Strong verbal and written communication skills
 Demonstrated ability in influence cross-functional teams and mentor peers
 Proven track record of solving complex design problems and implementing innovative
solutions
Preferred Professional and Technical Expertise
 Experience with Cadence tools, including:
 Genus for synthesis
 Innovus for implementation and timing closure
 Tempus for timing signoff
 Virtuoso for integration
 Physical checking and verification
 Cross-disciplinary design experience (e.g. analog/digital co-design)
 Familiarity with Agile development processes and iterative design cycles