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Senior Physical Design Engineer Jobs in Tennessee

Mesa Associates Inc.

Senior Engineer - Physical

Knoxville, TN · Hybrid

$93K - $127K/yr

Don't delay, plug in today for an inclusive meaningful career in power engineering design at Mesa ... As a Senior Engineer, this individual will be expected to be skilled in all aspects of Physical ...

Mesa Associates, Inc.

Senior Engineer - Physical

Knoxville, TN · On-site

$99K - $137K/yr

Don't delay, plug in today for an inclusive meaningful career in power engineering design at Mesa ... As a Senior Engineer, this individual will be expected to be skilled in all aspects of Physical ...

Mesa Accosiates

Senior Engineer - Physical

Knoxville, TN · On-site

$93K - $127K/yr

Don't delay, plug in today for an inclusive meaningful career in power engineering design at Mesa ... As a Senior Engineer, this individual will be expected to be skilled in all aspects of Physical ...

KeyLogic, LLC

Senior Electrical Design Engineer

Oak Ridge, TN · On-site

$99K - $133K/yr

Senior Electrical Design Engineer Location: Onsite in Oak Ridge, TN Clearance: Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q clearance Job Summary The Senior Electrical Design Engineer in FMD provides ...

Mesa Associates Inc.

Senior Engineer

Knoxville, TN · Hybrid

$93K - $127K/yr

Mesa is seeking an experienced engineer for a position in Power Substation Physical Design. The ... As a Senior Engineer, this individual will be expected to be skilled in all aspects of Physical ...

Mesa Associates, Inc.

Senior Engineer

Knoxville, TN · Hybrid

$93K - $127K/yr

Mesa is seeking an experienced engineer for a position in Power Substation Physical Design. The ... As a Senior Engineer, this individual will be expected to be skilled in all aspects of Physical ...

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Senior Physical Design Engineer information

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$64K

$122.1K

$177K

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

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior physical design engineer in Tennessee is $122,145.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $97,600.00 and $142,900.00 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?

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.

How much does a senior physical design engineer make in the US?

A senior physical design engineer in the US typically earns between $110,000 and $160,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and company size. Compensation may also include bonuses and stock options, especially in high-tech industries or large corporations.

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

The most popular types of Physical Design Engineer jobs in Tennessee are:

What are popular job titles related to Senior Physical Design Engineer jobs in Tennessee?

For Senior Physical Design Engineer jobs in Tennessee, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Senior Physical Design Engineer jobs in Tennessee look for?

The top searched job categories for Senior Physical Design Engineer jobs in Tennessee are:

What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Senior Physical Design Engineer jobs?

Cities in Tennessee with the most Senior Physical Design Engineer job openings:

Senior Physical Design Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Physical Design Engineer job openings in Tennessee as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 4% As Needed, 71% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 6% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $122,145 per year, or $58.7 per hour.

Senior Physical Design Engineer

Mesa Accosiates

Chattanooga, TN • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 8 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.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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