Layout Designer (Mid to Principal)

We are looking for a skilled PCB Layout Designer who will serve as the technical foundation for how our hardware goes from schematic to manufacturable board. This is primarily a layout engineering role — you will own the physical design of complex, high-performance PCBs across our avionics and RF hardware — but you will also own our ECAD parts library end-to-end, managing it internally and in partnership with our parts library vendor.

This role sits at the intersection of hands-on layout execution and process ownership. You will work directly with electrical engineers from early design through fabrication and bring-up, and you will be the go-to authority on component footprints, schematic symbols, and library quality. If you take pride in tight, well-reasoned layouts and care deeply about the integrity of the data behind every design, this role is for you.

Responsibilities

PCB Layout & Design

• Own layout of complex multi-layer PCBs spanning digital, mixed-signal, RF, and high-power domains — including designs with FPGAs, microcontrollers, high-speed interfaces, and power distribution networks
• Collaborate with electrical engineers early in the design cycle to inform stackup selection, component placement strategy, and design-for-manufacturability trade-offs
• Apply rigorous signal integrity and power integrity discipline: impedance control, controlled-impedance routing, PDN design, crosstalk mitigation, and EMI/EMC best practices
• Perform and resolve design rule checks (DRC), electrical rule checks (ERC), and layout-versus-schematic (LVS) verification
• Generate complete fabrication and assembly packages: Gerber files, drill files, assembly drawings, and BOMs; interface directly with PCB fabricators and contract manufacturers to resolve issues and drive first-pass success
• Support board bring-up and hardware debug, identifying and resolving layout-related issues in collaboration with the electrical and test teams
• Design with environmental robustness in mind — thermal management, vibration, and relevant environmental qualification considerations for space and defense applications

Parts Library Ownership

• Own the ECAD parts library as the single point of accountability — schematic symbols, physical footprints, and associated metadata — ensuring accuracy, consistency, and compliance with IPC standards (including IPC-7351)
• Triage, prioritize, and fulfill part creation requests from design engineers in a timely manner; establish and communicate SLAs for part turnaround
• Manage the relationship with our external parts library vendor, including task assignments, quality review, delivery acceptance, and escalation of issues
• Conduct and enforce quality control processes: pad stack audits, DRC verification, datasheet cross-checks, and periodic library health reviews
• Maintain the library in a database-backed configuration management system; enforce versioning discipline and change control workflows
• Develop and maintain internal standards for part creation; document processes and train engineers on correct library usage
• Evaluate and champion improvements to ECAD tooling, library management workflows, and vendor capabilities

Qualifications

• 4+ years of professional PCB layout experience with demonstrated ownership of complex, production-released boards
• Proficiency in at least one major ECAD layout tool (Altium Designer, Cadence Allegro, Mentor/Xpedition, or equivalent)
• Strong signal integrity fundamentals: transmission line design, impedance matching, termination strategies, high-speed interface routing (PCIe, DDR, Ethernet, LVDS, etc.)
• Experience with controlled-impedance stackup design and working with fabricators on stackup optimization
• Hands-on experience creating and maintaining schematic symbols and PCB footprints to IPC standards
• Familiarity with IPC-2221, IPC-6012, IPC-7351, and IPC-A-610
• Strong attention to detail and a track record of high-quality, first-pass-friendly layout output

Nice to Have

• Experience with RF/microwave PCB layout using high-frequency laminates (Rogers, Taconic, Isola, etc.)
• Experience designing for harsh or space environments: thermal cycling, vacuum, vibration, radiation
• Familiarity with MIL-STD or NASA PCB design standards
• Experience managing or coordinating an external parts library vendor relationship
• Knowledge of power integrity analysis tools (HyperLynx, Ansys SIwave, Cadence Sigrity)
• IPC CID or CID+ certification
• Scripting experience (Python, SKILL, Perl) for EDA automation

Salary: $140k - $200k