ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Senior Physical Design Engineer Jobs in Virginia

Fractile

Physical Design Engineer

Bristol, VA · On-site

$80 - $120/hr

As a Physical Design Engineer, you will support the implementation of complex IC physical designs, from synthesis to sign‑off. You will collaborate with cross‑functional teams, including logic ...

New

Fractile

Lead Physical Design Engineer

Bristol, VA · On-site

$120 - $180/hr

As a Lead Physical Design Engineer, you will be responsible for the end-to-end implementation of complex IC physical designs, from synthesis to sign-off. In this role, you will take on leadership ...

New

Kimley-Horn

Substation Physical Design Engineer

Richmond, VA · On-site

$97K - $124K/yr

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 ...

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 ...

Quanta Services

Design Engineer I

Blacksburg, VA · On-site

$80K - $87K/yr

Support of substation and transmission line physical design consisting of layout, conduit ... Work under supervision of Project Engineer, Senior Engineer, or Project Manager in a professional ...

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 ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsPhysical Design Engineer JobsSenior Physical Design Engineer JobsSenior Physical Design Engineer Jobs in Virginia

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 Aug 8, 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?

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 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 August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 72% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $133,423 per year, or $64.1 per hour.

Physical Design Engineer

Fractile

Bristol, VA • On-site

$80 - $120/hr

Other

Posted 3 days ago

New

Job description

Fractile’s mission is to enable a new chapter in the AI revolution. We’re pioneering AI innovation where hardware and software join to create something extraordinary, unlocking the power of the world’s largest language models with speed increases of x100. Our team is rapidly expanding, and we're searching for visionary engineers, scientists, and thinkers who share our passion for pushing boundaries and redefining what's possible. If you're ready to join a dynamic group of innovators shaping AI's future, we want to hear from you!

We are seeking a Physical Design Engineer to contribute to our next‑generation chip designs. As a Physical Design Engineer, you will support the implementation of complex IC physical designs, from synthesis to sign‑off. You will collaborate with cross‑functional teams, including logic design, verification, and process technology, to optimise performance, power, and area (PPA) while ensuring design integrity and manufacturability.

Key Responsibilities:
  • Support the physical implementation of ASIC/SoC designs, including floor planning, placement, clock tree synthesis (CTS), routing, and sign‑off.
  • Work on synthesis, timing analysis (STA), and optimisation to achieve strong PPA metrics.
  • Assist in power planning and analysis, addressing IR drop, electromigration, and related effects.
  • Ensure design rule check (DRC), layout vs. schematic (LVS), and other physical verification compliance.
  • Collaborate with DFT engineers to integrate design‑for‑test (DFT) structures into the physical implementation.
  • Develop flows in EDA tools such as Cadence Innovus, Synopsys Fusion Compiler, Mentor Graphics Calibre, and others.
  • Work closely with RTL and architecture teams to support design feasibility, constraints, and physical‑aware RTL design.
  • Work with advanced AI tools and models to improve productivity, analysis, and design quality.
Preferred Qualifications:
  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
  • 0–5 years of experience in physical design for advanced technology nodes (e.g., 7nm, 5nm, or below), including internships.
  • Familiarity with EDA tools for place & route, STA, and sign‑off.
  • Basic understanding of CMOS technology, semiconductor physics, and process limitations.
  • Exposure to timing closure, signal integrity, IR drop analysis, and formal verification.
  • Proficiency in scripting languages like TCL, Perl, or Python for automation is a plus.
  • Excellent problem‑solving skills, communication, and teamwork in a collaborative design environment.
  • Interest in working with advanced AI tools and models as part of the design workflow.
  • Experience or coursework in high‑performance computing (HPC), AI accelerators, or networking chips is a plus.
#J-18808-Ljbffr

Apply