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Principal Physical Design Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

INA Solution Inc

Physical Design Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$159K - $164K/yr

Physical Design Engineer / Lead Location: San Jose, CA * We are seeking an experienced Physical Design Engineer / Lead with 10+ years of experience in ASIC/SoC physical design. The ideal candidate ...

Apetan Consulting

Physical Design Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$161K - $166K/yr

Physical Design Engineer Location :: Sunnyvale, CA (Onsite) We are seeking a Physical Design Engineer with extensive industry experience to join our world-class silicon engineering team in Sunnyvale ...

New

Apple

Physical Design Engineer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$167K - $172K/yr

We have an opportunity for a forward-thinking and unusually hardworking Physical Design Engineer. As a member of our wide-ranging group, you will have the rare and great opportunity to craft upcoming ...

Apple

Physical Design Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$160K - $164K/yr

We have an opportunity for a forward-thinking and unusually hardworking Physical Design Engineer. As a member of our wide-ranging group, you will have the rare and great opportunity to craft upcoming ...

Apple

Physical Design Engineer

Beaverton, OR

$141K - $145K/yr

We have an opportunity for a forward-thinking and unusually hardworking Physical Design Engineer. As a member of our wide-ranging group, you will have the rare and great opportunity to craft upcoming ...

Apple

Physical Design Engineer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$167K - $172K/yr

We have an opportunity for a forward-thinking and unusually hardworking Physical Design Engineer. As a member of our wide-ranging group, you will have the rare and great opportunity to craft upcoming ...

Stellent IT LLC

Physical Design Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$159K - $164K/yr

Title :: Physical Design Engineer Location :: San Jose, CA Job Type:- Full Time We are seeking a Physical Design Engineer with extensive industry experience to join our world-class silicon ...

New

Apple

Physical Design Engineer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$167K - $172K/yr

We have an opportunity for a forward-thinking and unusually hardworking Physical Design Engineer. As a member of our wide-ranging group, you will have the rare and great opportunity to craft upcoming ...

Apple

Physical Design Engineer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$167K - $172K/yr

We have an opportunity for a forward-thinking and unusually hardworking Physical Design Engineer. As a member of our wide-ranging group, you will have the rare and great opportunity to craft upcoming ...

Apple

Physical Design Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$160K - $164K/yr

We have an opportunity for a forward-thinking and unusually hardworking Physical Design Engineer. As a member of our wide-ranging group, you will have the rare and great opportunity to craft upcoming ...

Apple

Physical Design Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$160K - $164K/yr

We have an opportunity for a forward-thinking and unusually hardworking Physical Design Engineer. As a member of our wide-ranging group, you will have the rare and great opportunity to craft upcoming ...

K2 Space

Principal ASIC Physical Design Engineer

$190K - $280K/yr

The Role We are looking for a Principal ASIC Physical Design Engineer to lead the implementation of complex SoCs for next-generation satellite and space systems. You will own the full physical design ...

Apple

Physical Design Engineer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$167K - $172K/yr

We have an opportunity for a forward-thinking and unusually hardworking Physical Design Engineer. As a member of our wide-ranging group, you will have the rare and great opportunity to craft upcoming ...

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All JobsPrincipal Physical Design Engineer Jobs

Principal Physical Design Engineer information

See salary details

$74K

$147.2K

$212.5K

How much do principal physical design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal physical design engineer in the United States is $147,220.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $118,500.00 and $173,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Principal Physical Design Engineer vs Physical Design Engineer?

AspectPrincipal Physical Design EngineerPhysical Design Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's/Master's in Electrical Engineering or related; extensive experienceBachelor's/Master's in Electrical Engineering or related; some experience
Work EnvironmentLead design teams, oversee complex chip layouts, strategic planningImplement physical design tasks, optimize layouts, follow design flows
Industry UsageUsed in advanced semiconductor companies, high-level design rolesCommon in semiconductor companies, entry to mid-level roles

The Principal Physical Design Engineer typically holds a senior role with leadership responsibilities, overseeing complex projects and guiding teams. In contrast, a Physical Design Engineer focuses on executing physical design tasks under supervision. Both roles require similar technical skills and industry experience, but the principal position involves strategic planning and higher-level decision-making.

What are Principal Physical Design Engineers?

Principal Physical Design Engineers are senior professionals in the semiconductor industry responsible for overseeing the physical implementation of integrated circuit (IC) designs. They lead teams in tasks like floorplanning, placement, routing, timing closure, and verification to ensure that chip layouts meet performance, power, and area requirements. These engineers use specialized design tools and collaborate closely with other engineering teams throughout the chip development process. Their expertise is crucial for translating circuit schematics into manufacturable silicon.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Principal Physical Design Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Principal Physical Design Engineer, you need deep expertise in ASIC/FPGA physical design, strong knowledge of RTL-to-GDSII flow, and a relevant degree in electrical or computer engineering. Proficiency with EDA tools such as Synopsys, Cadence, or Mentor Graphics, as well as familiarity with scripting languages and industry-standard verification methodologies, is essential. Exceptional problem-solving, leadership, and communication skills help drive complex projects and collaborate across cross-functional teams. These skills are crucial to ensure optimal chip performance, timely delivery, and successful integration within advanced semiconductor development environments.

What are some typical challenges faced by Principal Physical Design Engineers when managing complex chip development projects?

Principal Physical Design Engineers often navigate challenges such as balancing power, performance, and area (PPA) requirements while meeting tight project deadlines. They must coordinate across multiple teams, including logic design and verification, to resolve integration issues and ensure that design constraints are met. Additionally, they frequently address timing closure and signal integrity concerns, requiring advanced problem-solving and project management skills. The role demands staying current with EDA tools and process technologies to drive innovation and efficiency in chip design workflows.
More about Principal Physical Design Engineer jobs
What job categories do people searching Principal Physical Design Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Principal Physical Design Engineer jobs are:
Principal Physical Design Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Physical Design Engineer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $147,220 per year, or $70.8 per hour.
Physical Design Engineer

Physical Design Engineer

INA Solution Inc

San Jose, CA • On-site

$159K - $164K/yr

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

Title: Physical Design Engineer / Lead
Location: San Jose, CA
Job Description

  • We are seeking an experienced Physical Design Engineer / Lead with 10+ years of experience in ASIC/SoC physical design. The ideal candidate will have hands-on expertise in the complete RTL-to-GDSII flow, including synthesis, floorplanning, placement, CTS, routing, timing closure, and signoff for advanced technology nodes (5nm/3nm).
  • Key Responsibilities
  • Drive end-to-end physical design implementation from RTL to GDSII.
  • Perform synthesis, floorplanning, place & route, CTS, routing, timing closure, and signoff.
  • Implement low-power designs using UPF methodologies.
  • Resolve SoC integration challenges, including SDC constraints and UPF.
  • Develop automation scripts using TCL, Python, or Shell.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams and lead/mentor engineers, including managing offshore teams.

Required Skills

  • 10+ years of ASIC/SoC Physical Design experience.
  • Hands-on experience with 5nm/3nm process nodes and successful tape-outs.
  • Strong knowledge of RTL-to-GDSII implementation and timing closure.
  • Experience with Innovus/ICC2, Design Compiler/Genus, PrimeTime, RedHawk/Voltus, and Calibre.
  • Expertise in Floorplanning, Place & Route, CTS, STA, SDC, UPF, and Low-Power Design.
  • Proficiency in TCL, Python, Perl, or Shell scripting.
  • Must have experience leading and managing offshore teams.