Senior Physical Design Engineer Jobs in Rhode Island
Senior Physical Design Engineer jobs in Rhode Island are concentrated in the defense electronics, semiconductor, and advanced systems sectors, with demand strongest at the senior and principal levels across the state's compact but technically deep labor market. Most hiring is centered in Providence, Woonsocket, and the greater Cranston corridor, where established employers like Raytheon Technologies, Hasbro's electronics division partners, and Nortek anchor the regional talent pool for physical design specialists. Floor planning, static timing analysis, and custom analog layout are among the most in-demand specialties for candidates with deep VLSI or mixed-signal experience in Rhode Island. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Job Description:
Develop solutions, across functional disciplines such as: network design, facility design, WMS & emerging technologies.
Develop people, procedures, and training to ensure efficient and effective warehouse operations to achieve significant P&L contributions across UNFI business units.
Develop competitive solutions for customers to increase service levels and reduce OPEX. Lead solution development and drives the end-to-end development and solutioning of UNFI capacity projects through warehouse sizing, warehouse design, assessing network capacity, network supply chain design and developing an optimal design to meet all stakeholder demands.
Own delivery and financial performance of assigned solutions design projects. Effectively lead and organize other cross-functional teams in support of project development and execution, including but not limited to IT, automation, local sites, regional operations, transportation, warehouse slotting, finance and others as needed. Evaluate operational, service, and capital trade-offs.
Provide financial oversight for assigned initiatives. Identify cross-project risks and evaluate major trade-off decisions to reporting manager with recommended resolution paths.
Ensure project execution aligns with enterprise design standards, methodologies and design direction established by senior leadership. Lead continuous improvement and re-engineering initiatives such as, but no limited to process re-design and improvements, warehouse layout design, slotting, varying levels of automation.
Deliver improvements to UNFI’s supply chain through various types of projects including facility design and automation business case development. Lead and develop Solutions Design Managers and Analysts. Foster team growth and inspire high performance.
Lead talent identification, recruitment, and development to build a strong, future ready team. Provide advanced analytical support on reengineering and continuous improvement projects. Incorporate appropriate business skills into design work (e.g. statistics, operations research, organizational behavior, finance, accounting, information technology etc.).
Develop and present capital investment recommendations and financial analysis for review by Senior Director and Vice President.
Design new tools and supports the development of national Facility Design standards and playbook.
Ensure Direct Reports are well trained, effective, and optimally used. Coach Managers regarding policy, procedure, and program changes. Conduct performance appraisals as required.
Formulates and implements corrective actions as needed. Recommends promotions, transfers, and salary adjustments as appropriate. Assume responsibility for ensuring professional business relationships are established and maintained with customers, vendors, the business community, and trade organizations.
Exhibit a commitment to excellence and to superior customer service – both external and internal – in every aspect of the warehousing function.
Work with warehouse leadership to analyze trends, implement new technologies and drive overall performance to maximize customer satisfaction, reduce costs, improve efficiencies and implement corrective actions to resolve any issues. Performs other duties as assigned.
Supervises 3 subordinates - Managers, Solutions Design and Managers Project Slotting Optimization
Minimum Education & Experience Requirements:
Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain, Business Logistics Engineering, a related field, or a foreign equivalent plus 3 years of post-baccalaureate experience in job offered or any supply chain/logistics related job titles.
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Applicants must have 3 years of experience in the following:
(1) supply chain design, network optimization or operations transformation;
(2) developing and defending capital investment business cases;
(3) AutoCAD and Ability to analyze data sets with Analytical Tools including MS Power BI, Access, Alteryx;
(4) Implementing new warehouse distribution centers and warehouse automation;
(5) Working in the wholesale food distribution systems and third party logistics providers;
(6) optimizing warehouse performance, reducing operational costs, and enhancing warehouse efficiency;
(7) Implementing new warehouse distribution centers and warehouse automation; and
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(8) Warehouse design including layouts, elevations, rack systems, sizing, capacity, and wms system capabilities as well as warehouse budgeting (labor, opex, capex). 0-10%
Domestic travel required to visit company offices, distribution centers, or other locations for specific meetings or other business reasons. 100% telecommuting required.
Compensation: $189,767/year
UNFI is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive and respectful environment for all. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other protected ground. Accommodation is available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the job selection process. - M/F/Veteran/Disability. VEVRAA Federal Contractor.
Compensation:
UNFI anticipates paying the above-referenced pay rate (or within the above-referenced pay range) for this position. Actual Pay, where applicable, will depend on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, education, experience, training, and any requirements under applicable collective bargaining agreements. UNFI is committed to transparency in pay in compliance with applicable state and local laws.
Benefits:
For Washington positions (or positions that may be performed remotely from Washington), https://www.unfi.com/jobs-more-info-wa.html for Washington-specific paid time off details.
Candidates hired into this position will also be eligible to participate in the following benefits programs: Paid Time Off; Sick Time; paid holidays and parental leave; 401K Program; medical, dental, vision, life, and accidental death/dismemberment insurance; short-term and long-term disability insurance program, Flexible Spending Account and/or Health Savings Account, subject to meeting the eligibility requirements and the terms and conditions of these programs, and subject to any requirements under applicable collective bargaining agreements.
UNFI’s compensation, benefits, and paid time off policies are subject to change in the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with applicable law. This job posting should not be construed as an offer of employment with certain terms, nor should it be construed as a guaranteed minimum.
Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act.
See All 20 Senior Physical Design Engineer Jobs in Rhode Island
Find roles in Rhode Island that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsSenior Physical Design Engineer Jobs by City in Rhode Island
Where Rhode Island roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Senior Physical Design Engineer Job Market in Rhode Island
A snapshot from current Rhode Island openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Raytheon3

- UNFI1

- AMETEK1

- Cohera1C
- SEACORP1

Top Industries Hiring
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals2
- Electronics & Hardware1
- Consulting & Professional Services1
What Rhode Island Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in senior physical design engineer jobs across Rhode Island.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in electrical engineering or a closely related field required
- Proficiency with industry-standard EDA tools such as Cadence Virtuoso, Synopsys ICC2, or Mentor Calibre
- Hands-on experience with physical design flows including place-and-route, DRC, and LVS verification
- Demonstrated expertise in static timing analysis, power integrity, and signal integrity closure
- Experience with advanced process nodes, including FinFET or sub-28nm technology, strongly preferred
- Strong collaboration skills for cross-functional work with RTL, verification, and systems engineering teams
Senior Physical Design Engineer Jobs in Rhode Island: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a senior physical design engineer in Rhode Island?
A bachelor's degree in electrical engineering is the standard entry point, and most senior roles require a master's degree or equivalent depth in VLSI physical design. Rhode Island does not require a state-issued professional license specifically for physical design engineers, so hiring follows a competency-based path. Candidates typically advance through junior and mid-level IC design roles, building expertise in EDA tools and tapeout experience before moving into senior positions at defense or semiconductor firms in the Providence and Woonsocket areas.
How much do senior physical design engineers make in Rhode Island?
Senior physical design engineers in Rhode Island earn a median of about $119,510 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $80,620 for the lowest 10% to over $158,570 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire senior physical design engineers in Rhode Island?
Employers hiring senior physical design engineers in Rhode Island right now include Raytheon, UNFI, and AMETEK, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Rhode Island's defense and advanced electronics sector, anchored by firms with long-standing government contracts in the Providence metro, drives consistent demand for experienced physical design talent.
Which Rhode Island cities have the most senior physical design engineer jobs?
Portsmouth, Providence, and Bristol account for the largest share of senior physical design engineer openings in Rhode Island. Providence dominates as the state's primary commercial and technology hub, while surrounding communities like Woonsocket and Cranston see steady openings tied to defense contractors and electronics manufacturers that have maintained facilities in the state for decades, making those suburban corridors a meaningful part of the regional market.
Are there remote senior physical design engineer jobs in Rhode Island?
Yes, but they're relatively limited, because physical design work often requires secure lab access, proprietary EDA tool licenses on-site, and close collaboration with hardware teams during tapeout cycles. About 40% of senior physical design engineer openings tied to Rhode Island are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, which is lower than many software disciplines. Front-end analysis tasks, timing reviews, and script development are the portions of the role most likely to be performed remotely.
How can I get hired as a senior physical design engineer in Rhode Island with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a junior IC layout or design verification role at one of Rhode Island's defense electronics firms or their local suppliers, where new graduates can gain hands-on EDA tool and tapeout exposure. Pursuing internships or co-op programs through partnerships between employers and the University of Rhode Island's electrical engineering department provides a direct pipeline into entry-level positions. Building a portfolio of academic tapeout projects and earning proficiency certifications in tools like Cadence or Synopsys strengthens a candidate's profile for Rhode Island employers considerably.
Where can I find and apply to senior physical design engineer jobs in Rhode Island?
You can find and apply to senior physical design engineer jobs in Rhode Island on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Find roles that fit your experience and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 20 Senior Physical Design Engineer Jobs in Rhode Island
Find roles in Rhode Island that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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