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Senior Physical Design Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

TSMC

Senior Physical Design Engineer(7051)

San Jose, CA · Hybrid

$155K - $160K/yr

Overview of Role As a Senior Physical Design Engineer, you will be responsible for the physical design implementation PnR run, Performance/Power/Area (PPA) comparison, congestion & DRC analysis, and ...

TSMC

Senior Physical Design Engineer(7051)

San Jose, CA · On-site

$155K - $160K/yr

Overview of Role As a Senior Physical Design Engineer, you will be responsible for the physical design implementation PnR run, Performance/Power/Area (PPA) comparison, congestion & DRC analysis, and ...

Nvidia

Physical Design Engineer

Westford, MA · On-site

$141K - $145K/yr

NVIDIA is looking for best-in-class Senior Physical Design Engineers to join our outstanding Networking Silicon engineering team, developing the industry's best high speed communication devices ...

Nvidia Corporation

Physical Design Engineer

Westford, MA · On-site

$141K - $145K/yr

NVIDIA is looking for best-in-class Senior Physical Design Engineers to join our outstanding Networking Silicon engineering team, developing the industry's best high speed communication devices ...

Baya Systems

Physical Design Engineer

Santa Clara, CA

$159K - $164K/yr

Physical Design Engineer Location: Santa Clara, CA About the role: We are seeking a seasoned Physical Design Engineer with a strong background in all aspects of Physical Design and Implementation ...

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 ...

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Senior Physical Design Engineer information

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$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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What cities are hiring for Senior Physical Design Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Senior Physical Design Engineer job openings:
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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.
Sr Physical Design Engineer (Remote)

Sr Physical Design Engineer (Remote)

Encore Semi, Inc.

Raleigh, NC • Remote

$140K - $165K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 15 days ago

Job description

Sr Physical Design Engineer  – Remote
Location:  Remote – Anywhere in US 
Full-time: Salary + Benefits + Bonuses / Contractor
Work Status: Must be US citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident.
  •  Min. 10+ years of experience in 3 nm and/or 5 nm technology node.
  • Block and top-level P&R experience
  • Timing closure experience with Tempus and/or Primetime
  • Arm or similar embedded processor experience
  • Physical Verification experience
  • Knowledge of industry standard tools and flows Cadence, Synopsys, Siemens
The anticipated annual base salary for this position is between $140,000 to $165,000 which also includes a comprehensive benefits package.
Full-Time Benefits:
• 15 days of PTO per calendar year
• 10 paid Holidays per calendar year
• Comprehensive Medical Benefits: Company covers 80% of premiums for Employee and Dependents
• Dental & Vision: Company covers 50% of premiums for Employee and Dependents
• Voluntary Benefits: Life Insurance, FSA (Health and Dependent, Limited Purpose), HAS, and Gap Insurance
• Employee Assistant Program (EAP)
• 401k - Traditional & Roth
• Life/AD&D and Long-Term Disability
• Tuition reimbursement
Equal Opportunity Policy Statement
Encore Semi, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, religion, creed, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, genetics, ancestry, marital status, civil union status, medical condition, disability (mental and physical), military and veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances.
Encore Semi is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.