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Senior Physical Design Engineer Jobs in Virginia

Kimley-Horn

Substation Physical Design Engineer

Richmond, VA · On-site

$97K - $124K/yr

Overview Kimley-Horn's Richmond office is seeking a Substation Physical Design Engineer with 4+ years of experience to join the Power Delivery team. The successful candidate will support the design ...

Kimley-Horn

Substation Physical Design Engineer

Richmond, VA · On-site

$97K - $124K/yr

Overview Kimley-Horn's Richmond office is seeking a Substation Physical Design Engineer with 4+ years of experience to join the Power Delivery team. The successful candidate will support the design ...

Moog

Senior Slip Ring Design Engineer

Blacksburg, VA · On-site

$90K - $130K/yr

Senior Slip Ring Design Engineer Reporting To: Manager, Slip Ring Engineering Work Schedule: Onsite - Blacksburg, VA Senior Slip Ring Design Engineer Moog Inc. Blacksburg, Virginia Moog's Space and ...

Moog, Inc.

Senior Slip Ring Design Engineer

Blacksburg, VA · On-site

$90K - $130K/yr

Senior Slip Ring Design Engineer Reporting To: Manager, Slip Ring Engineering Work Schedule: Onsite - Blacksburg, VA Senior Slip Ring Design Engineer Moog Inc. Blacksburg, Virginia Moog's Space and ...

Imperative Systems

Design Engineer

Alexandria, VA · On-site

Present information and briefings to senior managers, government clients, and technical ... Physical Requirements: Work can on occasion be physically demanding, including site surveys ...

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Senior Physical Design Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$69.9K

$133.4K

$193.3K

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

As of Jul 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior physical design engineer in Virginia is $133,423.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $106,600.00 and $156,100.00 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.
What are the most commonly searched types of Physical Design Engineer jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Physical Design Engineer jobs in Virginia are:
What are popular job titles related to Senior Physical Design Engineer jobs in Virginia? For Senior Physical Design Engineer jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Senior Physical Design Engineer jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Senior Physical Design Engineer jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Senior Physical Design Engineer jobs? Cities in Virginia 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 Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $133,423 per year, or $64.1 per hour.

Substation Physical Design Engineer

Kimley-Horn

Richmond, VA

$97K - $124K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 20 days ago

Kimley-Horn rating

8.9

Company rating: 8.9 out of 10

Based on 86 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

54th of 438 rated engineering

Job description

Kimley-Horn's Richmond office is seeking a Substation Physical Design Engineer with 4+ years of experience to join the Power Delivery team. The successful candidate will support the design, and execution of high-voltage and medium-voltage substation projects for utility, renewable energy, and industrial clients. Responsibilities include developing physical layouts, equipment arrangements, grounding systems, lightning protection systems, and construction drawing packages while coordinating closely with protection and control, civil, structural, and electrical disciplines. The ideal candidate is a self-driven engineer with strong technical skills, experience in substation design standards and industry practices, and the ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment. This is not a remote position.


• Perform conceptual and detailed HV and MV substation physical/electrical design for utilities and substations, including basic layout, electrical arrangement, one-line diagrams, three-line drawings, plan-section drawings, and grounding.
• Perform engineering studies and calculations.
• Perform quality control reviews on substation physical design projects.
• Assume the role of technical lead on projects with limited guidance.
• Create and review bills of materials for substation physical projects.
• Develop and review proposals and scopes of work for smaller substation physical projects.
• Plan and lead client meetings, or meeting sections, related to physical design as required.
• Support the continued professional development of less experienced engineers, including technical guidance and training recommendations.
• Communicate effectively with internal teams and clients to meet project objectives.
• Develop leadership skills in preparation for future roles on the team.


  • 4+ years of relevant engineering experience in substation design.
  • Preferred (but not required): Professional Engineering (P.E.) license, or ability to obtain within 12 months.
  • Proficiency with industry-standard design software such as AutoCAD, MicroStation and inventor.
  • Experience with grounding studies, lightning protection studies, and lighting studies.

At Kimley-Horn, we do things differently. People, clients, and employees are at the forefront of who we are. Clients know we prioritize achieving their goals and growing their success. Employees know our culture and approach to business are built on a desire to provide an environment for everyone to flourish. Our commitment to quality is only as good as the people behind it— that’s why we welcome and develop passionate, hardworking, and proactive employees. We take pride in how our employee retention, robust benefits package, and company values have led to Kimley-Horn’s placement on the Fortune “100 Best Companies to Work” list for 19 years!

Key Benefits at Kimley-Horn

  • Exceptional Retirement Plan: 2-to1- company match on up to 4% of eligible compensation (salary + bonus) and additional profit-sharing contribution.
  • Comprehensive Health Coverage: Low-cost medical, dental, and vision insurance options.
  • Time Off: Personal leave, flexible scheduling, floating holidays, and half-day Fridays.
  • Financial Wellness: Student loan matching in our 401(k), and performance-based bonuses.
  • Professional Development: Tuition reimbursement and extensive internal training programs.
  • Family-Friendly Benefits: New Parent Leave, family building benefits, and childcare resources.

What Kimley-Horn employees say

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About Kimley-Horn

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

We are a full-service consulting firm that provides a wide range of infrastructure and land development planning and engineering services to both public and private clients. Though we have more than 6,000 employees in 100+ offices, we pride ourselves on our small company feel. At Kimley-Horn, we do things differently. People--clients and employees--are at the forefront of our business. Clients know we are laser-focused on their success. Employees know our culture and approach to business are built on a desire to see our staff flourish, one and all. Both groups know that with Kimley-Horn, they can expect more and experience better.

Industry

Specialized design services

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Raleigh, NC, US

Year founded

1967

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