Physical Design Engineer Jobs in Iowa
Physical Design Engineer jobs in Iowa are concentrated in Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, and Iowa City, where established electronics, defense, and semiconductor-adjacent employers maintain engineering teams. Rockwell Collins (now Collins Aerospace), Motorola Solutions, and the University of Iowa are among the anchor employers with lasting physical design footprints in the state. The most in-demand specialties include floor planning, static timing analysis, and power integrity work, with openings at both early-career and senior levels. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Senior Engineer (Electrical Planning and Design), Electrical Engineering ESMP
National Grid is hiring a Senior Engineer (Electrical Planning and Design) for our Asset Mgmt and Engineering Department in Northboro, MA
Every day, we deliver safe and secure energy to homes, communities, and businesses. We are there when people need us most, connecting them to the energy they need for the lives they live. As the pace of change across society and our industry accelerates, our expertise and track record position us to help shape a more sustainable energy future.
To succeed, we must anticipate customer needs, reduce the cost of energy delivery today, and pioneer the flexible energy systems of tomorrow. This requires us to deliver on our commitments while continually identifying opportunities to grow our people and our business.
Job Purpose
National Grid is seeking a Telecom Asset Management Specialist to lead both the strategic and day-to-day management of telecom infrastructure assets within Electricity Transmission. In this role, you will oversee lifecycle planning, apply predictive analytics for asset performance, conduct risk analysis, and drive capital optimization. You will also facilitate the integration of both legacy and new telecom systems into a unified asset management framework that aligns with National Grid’s Electric Sector Modernization Plan (ESMP) objectives. The specialist will be responsible for maintaining accurate records of telecom infrastructure, ensuring the integrity of asset data within the Telecom Operations Management System (TOMS), and supporting efforts to build and enhance the company’s telecom asset management capabilities. Your work will directly contribute to grid reliability and support the ongoing modernization of the Telecom infrastructure.
Key Accountabilities
- Develop, update, and maintain an accurate inventory of telecom assets across substations, field sites, towers, data centers and other telecom critical sites.
- Conduct and coordinate field audits to validate asset data and capture undocumented infrastructure and integrate them into the asset database. (e.g., Microwave, DFAN, OTNs).
- Ensure data integrity and consistency within TOMS and related systems (Cascade, Transmission Explorer, GE Small World).
- Collaborate with Telecom stakeholders managing telecom asset, and configuration visibility using TOMS (Telecommunication Operating Management System).
- Assist in developing dashboards and reporting tools for lifecycle visibility, performance tracking, and regulatory compliance.
- Support lifecycle modeling, including depreciation schedules, replacement standards, and end-of-life planning
- Develop and execute asset replacement plans based on lifecycle analysis, risk assessment, and operational priorities.
- Apply industry best practices such as ISO 55000, IAM principles, and utility-specific asset management frameworks.
- Support predictive analytics for asset failure forecasting and replacement prioritization.
- Provide expert technical leadership and guidance to project teams and maintenance personnel, ensuring effective execution and knowledge transfer.
- Review, update, and enforce technical policies and standards aligned with industry best practices and regulatory requirements.
- Contribute to annual and strategic reports on asset lifecycle performance, risk, and investment optimization.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Telecommunications, Information Systems, or related field; or equivalent relevant experience.
- 5+ years of experience in telecom infrastructure, asset management, or related field.
- Familiarity with lifecycle planning, capital forecasting, Risk analysis and asset inventory systems.
- Strong understanding of telecom infrastructure and OT/IT integration.
- Certification in IAM (Institute of Asset Management) or ability to obtain a relevant asset management certification.
- Familiarity with telecom technologies (Microwave, fiber optic, DFAN, OTNs, network devices).
- Experience with asset management or GIS systems (e.g., TOMS, Cascade, GE Small World).
- Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
- Ability to thrive when working to challenging deadlines.
- Ability to communicate issues associated with your area of expertise in a clear and concise manner, both verbally and in writing
- Proven knowledge and understanding of the principles of Asset Management, particularly within telecom infrastructure.
- Focus on continuous improvement and innovation.
Salary
$134k - $157k a year
National Grid will not be providing visa sponsorship for this position now or in the future. You must have the ability to work without a need for current or future visa sponsorship.
National Grid utilizes an assessment that evaluates the job qualifications/characteristics using AI or statistically based scoring.
This position has a career path which provides for advancement opportunities within and across bands as you develop and evolve in the position; gaining experience, expertise and acquiring and applying technical skills. Candidates will be assessed and provided offers against the minimum qualifications of this role and their individual experience.
National Grid is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment regardless of protected class. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. National Grid maintains affirmative action programs for individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.
Our employment practices are designed to ensure that all individuals are treated fairly and with respect throughout the hiring process and during employment. National Grid complies with all applicable federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws. We are dedicated to fostering a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination and harassment, and we encourage a culture of respect for all.
Senior Engineer (Electrical Planning and Design), Electrical Engineering ESMP
National Grid is hiring a Senior Engineer (Electrical Planning and Design) for our Asset Mgmt and Engineering Department in Northboro, MA
Every day, we deliver safe and secure energy to homes, communities, and businesses. We are there when people need us most, connecting them to the energy they need for the lives they live. As the pace of change across society and our industry accelerates, our expertise and track record position us to help shape a more sustainable energy future.
To succeed, we must anticipate customer needs, reduce the cost of energy delivery today, and pioneer the flexible energy systems of tomorrow. This requires us to deliver on our commitments while continually identifying opportunities to grow our people and our business.
Job Purpose
National Grid is seeking a Telecom Asset Management Specialist to lead both the strategic and day-to-day management of telecom infrastructure assets within Electricity Transmission. In this role, you will oversee lifecycle planning, apply predictive analytics for asset performance, conduct risk analysis, and drive capital optimization. You will also facilitate the integration of both legacy and new telecom systems into a unified asset management framework that aligns with National Grid’s Electric Sector Modernization Plan (ESMP) objectives. The specialist will be responsible for maintaining accurate records of telecom infrastructure, ensuring the integrity of asset data within the Telecom Operations Management System (TOMS), and supporting efforts to build and enhance the company’s telecom asset management capabilities. Your work will directly contribute to grid reliability and support the ongoing modernization of the Telecom infrastructure.
Key Accountabilities
- Develop, update, and maintain an accurate inventory of telecom assets across substations, field sites, towers, data centers and other telecom critical sites.
- Conduct and coordinate field audits to validate asset data and capture undocumented infrastructure and integrate them into the asset database. (e.g., Microwave, DFAN, OTNs).
- Ensure data integrity and consistency within TOMS and related systems (Cascade, Transmission Explorer, GE Small World).
- Collaborate with Telecom stakeholders managing telecom asset, and configuration visibility using TOMS (Telecommunication Operating Management System).
- Assist in developing dashboards and reporting tools for lifecycle visibility, performance tracking, and regulatory compliance.
- Support lifecycle modeling, including depreciation schedules, replacement standards, and end-of-life planning
- Develop and execute asset replacement plans based on lifecycle analysis, risk assessment, and operational priorities.
- Apply industry best practices such as ISO 55000, IAM principles, and utility-specific asset management frameworks.
- Support predictive analytics for asset failure forecasting and replacement prioritization.
- Provide expert technical leadership and guidance to project teams and maintenance personnel, ensuring effective execution and knowledge transfer.
- Review, update, and enforce technical policies and standards aligned with industry best practices and regulatory requirements.
- Contribute to annual and strategic reports on asset lifecycle performance, risk, and investment optimization.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Telecommunications, Information Systems, or related field; or equivalent relevant experience.
- 5+ years of experience in telecom infrastructure, asset management, or related field.
- Familiarity with lifecycle planning, capital forecasting, Risk analysis and asset inventory systems.
- Strong understanding of telecom infrastructure and OT/IT integration.
- Certification in IAM (Institute of Asset Management) or ability to obtain a relevant asset management certification.
- Familiarity with telecom technologies (Microwave, fiber optic, DFAN, OTNs, network devices).
- Experience with asset management or GIS systems (e.g., TOMS, Cascade, GE Small World).
- Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
- Ability to thrive when working to challenging deadlines.
- Ability to communicate issues associated with your area of expertise in a clear and concise manner, both verbally and in writing
- Proven knowledge and understanding of the principles of Asset Management, particularly within telecom infrastructure.
- Focus on continuous improvement and innovation.
Salary
$134k - $157k a year
National Grid will not be providing visa sponsorship for this position now or in the future. You must have the ability to work without a need for current or future visa sponsorship.
National Grid utilizes an assessment that evaluates the job qualifications/characteristics using AI or statistically based scoring.
This position has a career path which provides for advancement opportunities within and across bands as you develop and evolve in the position; gaining experience, expertise and acquiring and applying technical skills. Candidates will be assessed and provided offers against the minimum qualifications of this role and their individual experience.
National Grid is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment regardless of protected class. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. National Grid maintains affirmative action programs for individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.
Our employment practices are designed to ensure that all individuals are treated fairly and with respect throughout the hiring process and during employment. National Grid complies with all applicable federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws. We are dedicated to fostering a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination and harassment, and we encourage a culture of respect for all.
See All 102+ Physical Design Engineer Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Physical Design Engineer JobsPhysical Design Engineer Jobs by City in Iowa
Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Physical Design Engineer Job Market in Iowa
A snapshot from current Iowa openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Olsson10
- RFA Engineering7
- Shive-Hattery4
- BAE Systems USA4
- Vermeer Corporation4
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Manufacturing
- Food & Beverage
- Chemicals & Materials
What Iowa Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in physical design engineer jobs across Iowa.
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a closely related field
- Hands-on experience with industry-standard EDA tools such as Cadence or Synopsys
- Proficiency in floor planning, placement, routing, and timing closure methodologies
- Familiarity with static timing analysis and signal integrity verification workflows
- Experience working with advanced process nodes and low-power design techniques
- Strong collaboration skills for cross-functional work with RTL and verification teams
Physical Design Engineer Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a physical design engineer in Iowa?
A bachelor's degree in electrical or computer engineering is the standard entry point for physical design engineer roles in Iowa. No state-issued license is required for this role in Iowa. Most employers, including those in Cedar Rapids and Des Moines, expect candidates to arrive with EDA tool experience from coursework, internships, or co-op programs. Iowa State University and the University of Iowa both offer relevant engineering programs that feed directly into local hiring pipelines.
Which companies hire physical design engineers in Iowa?
Iowa physical design engineer roles are posted by Olsson, RFA Engineering, and Shive-Hattery and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. The Cedar Rapids corridor, anchored by defense and avionics employers, has historically been the most consistent source of physical design engineering openings in the state.
Which Iowa cities have the most physical design engineer jobs?
Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Dubuque have the most physical design engineer openings in Iowa. Cedar Rapids drives the largest share of listings because of its concentration of aerospace and defense contractors, while Des Moines adds openings through technology and financial services firms that maintain in-house hardware teams, and Iowa City sees demand tied to university research programs and affiliated technology enterprises.
Are there remote physical design engineer jobs in Iowa?
Yes, but they're less common than in purely software-focused engineering roles, since physical design work often involves tightly controlled EDA tool licenses and secure lab environments. About 46% of physical design engineer openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the role's tool and collaboration constraints. The portions most amenable to remote work include timing analysis reviews and design reviews rather than hands-on lab or tape-out support.
How can I get hired as a physical design engineer in Iowa with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a co-op or internship with an Iowa engineering employer while still in school, since Collins Aerospace and similar Cedar Rapids-area firms recruit directly from Iowa State University and the University of Iowa. Candidates without industry experience can strengthen their candidacy by completing an FPGA or VLSI design project portfolio, targeting entry-level ASIC design or layout verification roles, and pursuing coursework or certifications in Cadence or Synopsys tools before applying.
Where can I find and apply to physical design engineer jobs in Iowa?
You can find and apply to physical design engineer jobs in Iowa on Migrate Mate, which lists current Iowa openings from employers hiring now. Search the available roles, find the ones that fit your background and location preference, and apply directly to the employer.
See All 102+ Physical Design Engineer Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Physical Design Engineer Jobs