Physical Design Engineer Jobs in District of Columbia
Physical Design Engineer jobs in District of Columbia draw from a concentrated but competitive market anchored in defense electronics, federal contracting, and advanced semiconductor work, with demand at every level from junior layout engineers to principal physical design leads. Most hiring activity centers on the broader metro corridor including Washington, Bethesda, and McLean, where established employers such as Leidos, Raytheon Intelligence and Space, and Booz Allen Hamilton maintain significant engineering operations. The most sought-after specializations include place-and-route for custom ASICs, static timing analysis, and low-power design for government and defense platforms. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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As a member of the Southeast Design Technology team, the Design Technology Lead will research, promote, and strategically implement our ecosystem of tools and processes, with a primary focus on BIM and digital project delivery. This multifaceted role provides technical leadership, strategic direction, and hands-on expertise in design technology across regional offices and project teams.
Reporting to the Regional Design Technology Director, you will leverage strong communication, relationship-building, and technical skills to drive process innovation, optimize workflows, and implement digital platforms in collaboration with regional peers. In partnership with the Southeast Design Technology team, you will help define and execute the strategy and roadmap for advancing BIM-driven digital design practices. This role is critical to improving project outcomes through high-quality model management and effective team enablement.
Your Role
BIM Leadership and Project Delivery
- Develop, implement, and maintain BIM Execution Plans (BEPs) for projects across the region.
- Update and refine BEPs and project-specific training documentation to reflect evolving project needs, standards, and procedures.
- Coordinate and manage BIM project workflows and project setup.
- Set up models and ensure accurate coordination across all project teams.
- Oversee daily model management, including administration, maintenance, and quality control.
Technical Support and Team Enablement
- Proficiently use BIM authoring tools to provide technical support to project teams.
- Deliver project-specific and general BIM training to ensure consistent adoption of workflows, standards, and best practices.
- Develop and maintain training materials, documentation, and guidance to support teams at varying levels of BIM maturity.
- Ensure changes in BIM procedures, standards, and workflows are clearly communicated and adopted by project teams.
Process Improvement and Digital Delivery
- Promote efficient processes through effective use of BIM and design technology tools.
- Translate data-driven insights into practical project applications to improve delivery outcomes.
- Support the development of a strong Design Technology culture focused on quality, consistency, and collaboration.
- Partner with regional leaders to define priorities, requirements, and best practices for BIM implementation.
Collaboration and Strategic Alignment
- Collaborate with IT and global design technology teams to align BIM workflows with broader strategic goals.
- Contribute to the development and evolution of BIM standards, templates, and workflows across studios.
- Champion digital advancements by supporting teams in adopting new tools and processes.
Your Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, or a related field.
- 3-6 years of AEC industry experience.
- Demonstrated experience leading or supporting BIM implementation and digital project delivery.
- Strong proficiency in BIM authoring tools (e.g., Revit) and coordination platforms.
- Experience developing and maintaining BIM Execution Plans and related documentation.
- Proven ability to provide technical support, mentorship, and training to project teams.
- Strong understanding of BIM standards, workflows, and model coordination practices.
- Experience with design collaboration platforms and cloud-based tools (e.g., Autodesk Forma/ACC/BIM 360, Navisworks, Speckle, Revizto).
- Excellent communication and storytelling skills to promote adoption of standards and workflows.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities.
- High level of integrity, reliability, and responsiveness.
- Entrepreneurial mindset with a proactive, solution-oriented approach to innovation and change.
- This role is not remote or hybrid; we look forward to working with our new team members in our dynamic office in Washington, D.C.
**The estimated base salary range for this position is $75,000 - $85,000 plus eligibility for bonuses and a comprehensive benefits package, with final compensation contingent on relevant experience. To learn more about our compensation philosophy and full benefits offerings, please visit Great People, Great Rewards | Gensler.
Life at Gensler
At Gensler, we are as committed to enjoying life as we are to delivering best-in-class design. From curated art exhibits to internal design competitions to “Well-being Week,” our offices reflect our people’s diverse interests.
We encourage every person at Gensler to lead a healthy and balanced life. Our comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, vision, disability, wellness programs, flex spending, paid holidays, and paid time off. We also offer a 401k, profit sharing, employee stock ownership, and twice annual bonus opportunities. Our annual base salary range has been established based on local markets.
As part of the firm’s commitment to licensure and professional development, Gensler offers reimbursement for certain professional licenses and associated renewals and exam fees. In addition, we reimburse tuition for certain eligible programs or classes. We view our professional development programs as strategic investments in our future.
#LI-SS1
As a member of the Southeast Design Technology team, the Design Technology Lead will research, promote, and strategically implement our ecosystem of tools and processes, with a primary focus on BIM and digital project delivery. This multifaceted role provides technical leadership, strategic direction, and hands-on expertise in design technology across regional offices and project teams.
Reporting to the Regional Design Technology Director, you will leverage strong communication, relationship-building, and technical skills to drive process innovation, optimize workflows, and implement digital platforms in collaboration with regional peers. In partnership with the Southeast Design Technology team, you will help define and execute the strategy and roadmap for advancing BIM-driven digital design practices. This role is critical to improving project outcomes through high-quality model management and effective team enablement.
Your Role
BIM Leadership and Project Delivery
- Develop, implement, and maintain BIM Execution Plans (BEPs) for projects across the region.
- Update and refine BEPs and project-specific training documentation to reflect evolving project needs, standards, and procedures.
- Coordinate and manage BIM project workflows and project setup.
- Set up models and ensure accurate coordination across all project teams.
- Oversee daily model management, including administration, maintenance, and quality control.
Technical Support and Team Enablement
- Proficiently use BIM authoring tools to provide technical support to project teams.
- Deliver project-specific and general BIM training to ensure consistent adoption of workflows, standards, and best practices.
- Develop and maintain training materials, documentation, and guidance to support teams at varying levels of BIM maturity.
- Ensure changes in BIM procedures, standards, and workflows are clearly communicated and adopted by project teams.
Process Improvement and Digital Delivery
- Promote efficient processes through effective use of BIM and design technology tools.
- Translate data-driven insights into practical project applications to improve delivery outcomes.
- Support the development of a strong Design Technology culture focused on quality, consistency, and collaboration.
- Partner with regional leaders to define priorities, requirements, and best practices for BIM implementation.
Collaboration and Strategic Alignment
- Collaborate with IT and global design technology teams to align BIM workflows with broader strategic goals.
- Contribute to the development and evolution of BIM standards, templates, and workflows across studios.
- Champion digital advancements by supporting teams in adopting new tools and processes.
Your Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, or a related field.
- 3-6 years of AEC industry experience.
- Demonstrated experience leading or supporting BIM implementation and digital project delivery.
- Strong proficiency in BIM authoring tools (e.g., Revit) and coordination platforms.
- Experience developing and maintaining BIM Execution Plans and related documentation.
- Proven ability to provide technical support, mentorship, and training to project teams.
- Strong understanding of BIM standards, workflows, and model coordination practices.
- Experience with design collaboration platforms and cloud-based tools (e.g., Autodesk Forma/ACC/BIM 360, Navisworks, Speckle, Revizto).
- Excellent communication and storytelling skills to promote adoption of standards and workflows.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities.
- High level of integrity, reliability, and responsiveness.
- Entrepreneurial mindset with a proactive, solution-oriented approach to innovation and change.
- This role is not remote or hybrid; we look forward to working with our new team members in our dynamic office in Washington, D.C.
**The estimated base salary range for this position is $75,000 - $85,000 plus eligibility for bonuses and a comprehensive benefits package, with final compensation contingent on relevant experience. To learn more about our compensation philosophy and full benefits offerings, please visit Great People, Great Rewards | Gensler.
Life at Gensler
At Gensler, we are as committed to enjoying life as we are to delivering best-in-class design. From curated art exhibits to internal design competitions to “Well-being Week,” our offices reflect our people’s diverse interests.
We encourage every person at Gensler to lead a healthy and balanced life. Our comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, vision, disability, wellness programs, flex spending, paid holidays, and paid time off. We also offer a 401k, profit sharing, employee stock ownership, and twice annual bonus opportunities. Our annual base salary range has been established based on local markets.
As part of the firm’s commitment to licensure and professional development, Gensler offers reimbursement for certain professional licenses and associated renewals and exam fees. In addition, we reimburse tuition for certain eligible programs or classes. We view our professional development programs as strategic investments in our future.
#LI-SS1
See All 38 Physical Design Engineer Jobs in District of Columbia
Find roles in District of Columbia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Physical Design Engineer JobsPhysical Design Engineer Jobs by City in District of Columbia
Where District of Columbia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Physical Design Engineer Job Market in District of Columbia
A snapshot from current District of Columbia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Booz Allen Hamilton2
- Technology Service Corporation2
- KBR1
- NPR1
- GuROO1
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services5
- Aerospace & Defense1
- Technology & Software1
- Marketing & Advertising1
- Construction & Real Estate1
What District of Columbia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in physical design engineer jobs across District of Columbia.
- Proficiency in industry-standard EDA tools such as Cadence Innovus or Synopsys ICC2
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a closely related field
- Experience with static timing analysis, power analysis, and physical verification flows
- Hands-on background in place-and-route for custom ASIC or SoC designs
- Familiarity with low-power design techniques including clock gating and multi-voltage flows
- Active security clearance or eligibility for clearance given District of Columbia's federal contracting environment
Physical Design Engineer Jobs in District of Columbia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a physical design engineer in District of Columbia?
Physical design engineering does not require a state-issued license in District of Columbia, so the path centers on earning a bachelor's degree in electrical or computer engineering, building proficiency in EDA toolchains like Cadence or Synopsys, and accumulating hands-on layout or place-and-route experience. Given the region's heavy federal contracting presence, obtaining or maintaining eligibility for a security clearance is a practical requirement that significantly expands the pool of available roles.
Which companies hire physical design engineers in District of Columbia?
Companies currently hiring physical design engineers in District of Columbia include Booz Allen Hamilton, Technology Service Corporation, and KBR, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. The District of Columbia market is particularly shaped by defense and intelligence contractors who need physical design talent for classified hardware and embedded systems programs.
Which District of Columbia cities have the most physical design engineer jobs?
The cities with the most physical design engineer openings in District of Columbia are Washington, Naval Research Laboratory, and Washington Navy Yard. This distribution reflects the concentration of major defense contractors and federal agency technology offices along the northern Virginia and Maryland corridors that surround Washington, pulling the bulk of semiconductor and ASIC engineering work into those suburban employment hubs.
Are there remote physical design engineer jobs in District of Columbia?
Yes, but they're rare. Physical design engineering involves tightly controlled EDA tool environments and, in the District of Columbia market specifically, frequent security classification requirements that make fully remote arrangements uncommon. About 55% of physical design engineer openings tied to District of Columbia are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, with the remote-eligible portion most often covering early-stage RTL review or timing analysis tasks rather than full place-and-route work.
How can I get hired as a physical design engineer in District of Columbia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a new-graduate or associate engineer program at one of the large defense contractors in the region, such as those run by Leidos or Raytheon Intelligence and Space, where junior engineers support senior layout teams on government chip programs. Candidates who build a portfolio demonstrating completed place-and-route projects using open-source PDKs, or who hold an EDA vendor certification, stand out considerably in a market that otherwise defaults to cleared, experienced hires.
Where can I find and apply to physical design engineer jobs in District of Columbia?
You can find and apply to physical design engineer jobs in District of Columbia on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings in the region. Search the available roles, find the ones that fit your background and target specialization, and apply directly to the positions that match your experience level.
See All 38 Physical Design Engineer Jobs in District of Columbia
Find roles in District of Columbia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Physical Design Engineer Jobs