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Senior Physical Design Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Credo, Inc

Senior Physical Design Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$140K - $170K/yr

About the Role As a Senior Physical Design Engineer, you will manage all aspects of physical design and implementation for Credo SoC designs. This role involves close collaboration with the local ...

Credo, Inc

Senior Physical Design Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$140K - $170K/yr

About the Role As a Senior Physical Design Engineer, you will manage all aspects of physical design and implementation for Credo SoC designs. This role involves close collaboration with the local ...

E-Space

Senior Physical Design Engineer

Saratoga, CA · On-site

$120K - $220K/yr

We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Physical Design Engineer to join our ASIC implementation team. In this role, you will be responsible for the physical implementation of complex digital SoC ...

E-Space

Senior Physical Design Engineer

Saratoga, CA · On-site

$120K - $220K/yr

We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Physical Design Engineer to join our ASIC implementation team. In this role, you will be responsible for the physical implementation of complex digital SoC ...

E-Space

Senior Physical Design Engineer

Saratoga, CA · On-site

$120K - $220K/yr

We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Physical Design Engineer to join our ASIC implementation team. In this role, you will be responsible for the physical implementation of complex digital SoC ...

Nvidia

Senior Physical Design Engineer

Austin, TX · On-site

We are now looking for a Senior Physical Design Engineer. NVIDIA has continuously reinvented itself over two decades. Our invention of the GPU in 1999 sparked the growth of the PC gaming market ...

Nvidia

Senior Physical Design Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

We are now looking for a Senior Physical Design Engineer. NVIDIA has continuously reinvented itself over two decades. Our invention of the GPU in 1999 sparked the growth of the PC gaming market ...

Nvidia

Senior Physical Design Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

We are now looking for a Senior Physical Design Engineer. NVIDIA has continuously reinvented itself over two decades. Our invention of the GPU in 1999 sparked the growth of the PC gaming market ...

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Senior Physical Design Engineer information

See salary details

$70.5K

$134.6K

$195K

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

As of Jun 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior physical design engineer in the United States is $134,577.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $107,500.00 and $157,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by Senior Physical Design Engineers during the chip tape-out phase?

Senior Physical Design Engineers often encounter tight deadlines and last-minute design changes during the chip tape-out phase, which can make ensuring timing closure and meeting power, performance, and area (PPA) targets particularly challenging. Collaborating closely with verification and layout teams is essential to quickly resolve any critical design rule violations or integration issues. Effective communication, attention to detail, and thorough knowledge of EDA tools are key to successfully managing these high-pressure situations and delivering a manufacturable design on schedule.

What is a Senior Physical Design Engineer?

A Senior Physical Design Engineer is a highly skilled professional in the field of semiconductor engineering who specializes in transforming circuit designs (netlists) into physical layouts for integrated circuits (ICs). They are responsible for tasks such as floorplanning, placement, clock tree synthesis, and routing, ensuring that the chip meets performance, area, and power requirements. Senior engineers in this role often lead projects, mentor junior engineers, and collaborate closely with other design and verification teams to deliver high-quality silicon products.

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

AspectSenior Physical Design EngineerPhysical Design Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering; experience in physical design toolsBachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering; entry to mid-level experience
Work EnvironmentDesign teams in semiconductor or chip design companies, using EDA toolsDesign teams in semiconductor or chip design companies, using EDA tools
Employer & Industry UsageCommonly employed in advanced chip design companies, focusing on complex ICsUsed across various semiconductor companies for standard physical design tasks

The main difference is experience level and responsibility. Senior Physical Design Engineers typically lead complex projects and mentor junior staff, while Physical Design Engineers focus on executing design tasks under supervision. Both roles require similar technical skills and work in similar environments, but the senior role involves more leadership and strategic planning.

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

To thrive as a Senior Physical Design Engineer, you need expertise in VLSI design, ASIC/SoC implementation, and a solid background in electrical or computer engineering, often complemented by a relevant degree. Mastery of EDA tools such as Cadence, Synopsys, or Mentor Graphics, and familiarity with scripting languages like TCL and Python, is typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication are critical soft skills for collaborating with cross-functional teams and managing complex projects. These skills and qualifications ensure efficient, high-quality chip design, meeting both technical and timeline requirements in a competitive industry.
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Senior Physical Design Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Physical Design Engineer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 79% Full Time, 20% Part Time, and 1% Temporary. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $134,577 per year, or $64.7 per hour.
Senior Physical Design Engineer

Senior Physical Design Engineer

Mesa Associates Inc.

Chattanooga, TN • On-site, Remote

Full-time

Posted 29 days ago

Job description

PDS 6 / Power Delivery Substation

This position is not eligible for recruiting or sourcing by outside parties.

Disclaimer: Be cautious and only respond to emails from our “mesainc.com” domain. We will never ask for sensitive information, such as bank account details, SSN, etc., via email. If you receive any communication asking for such information, it is not from Mesa. For any concerns, or to verify the authenticity of a message, please contact us through our official channels.

We have the power to energize YOUR career and spark YOUR Work/Life Balance through professional development and exceptional benefits. Don’t delay, plug in today for an inclusive meaningful career in power, distribution, transmission, engineering, design, technology, or innovation at Mesa Associates, Inc.

Mesa seeks a Senior Physical Design Engineer to be responsible for supervising the design and checking of deliverables associated with a high voltage substation design projects. Candidate must be familiar with the design of One Line Diagrams, Substation Layouts, Foundation Plans, Conduit/Raceway Plans, Grounding Plans, Bills of Materials, and Cable Schedules. The design will be completed using Autodesk products, mainly Inventor and AutoCAD. 

Responsibilities

  • Provide mentorship and training for junior level team members
  • Must be able to complete assignments within budget and schedule with a high degree of accuracy
  • Utilize AutoCAD based physical design standards
  • Performs technical preparation of deliverables and other project documents
  • Ensures deliverables comply with IEEE and/or client standards and meet applicable design requirements

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering (ABET Accredited)
  • 8-12 years experience in the design of substation physical design deliverables
  • Proficiency in verbal and written communication
  • Proficiency with layout designs in 2D

Preferred Qualifications

  • Expertise utilizing AutoCAD and/or Inventor
  • Knowledge of Power Systems or Substation Design
  • Keen interest in learning and using the latest Autodesk software tools, methods, and technologies to develop Power Substation design
  • Proficiency with layout designs in 3D

This opportunity is a hybrid arrangement located in Mesa's Knoxville, TN office. A fully remote arrangement may be considered for highly qualified candidates located in the Southeast region of the United States.

Notice to External Search Firms: Mesa Associates, Inc. and its subsidiaries do not accept unsolicited resumes and will not be obligated to pay a placement fee for unsolicited resumes. Mesa Associates, Inc. Talent Acquisition engages with approved search firms directly for specific hiring needs.

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