A method, computer program product, and data processing system for efficiently performing automated placement of timing-critical unit-level cells in a hierarchical integrated circuit design is disclosed. In preparation for global optimization the entire unit at the cell level, macro-level cells are assigned a “placement force” that serves to limit the movement of the macro-level cells from their current position. Movement boundaries for each macro element are also defined, so as to keep the components in a given macro element in relative proximity to each other. Optimization/placement of the unit design is then performed, via a force-directed layout algorithm, on a “flattened” model of the design while respecting the movement boundaries. Following this “flattened” optimization, the placed “unit-level” cells are modeled as blockages and the macro elements are optimized individually, while respecting the location(s) of the blockages. This entire process is repeated until the optimization of the unit layout eventually converges.