PCB Board level Designer

Zealogics.com•San Jose, CA

3d•$60 - $80

About The Position

We are seeking a skilled and detail-oriented PCB Board-Level Designer to join our engineering team. In this role, you will be responsible for translating electrical schematics into physical, high-reliability printed circuit board (PCB) layouts. You will collaborate closely with hardware engineers, mechanical designers, and manufacturing partners to deliver optimized layouts that meet strict electrical, thermal, mechanical, and manufacturing constraints.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering, a related technical discipline, or equivalent practical experience/certification (e.g., IPC CID/CID+).
3+ years of proven experience in board-level PCB design and layout (scale according to seniority needed).
Proficiency in major PCB design suites such as Altium Designer, Cadence Allegro, OrCAD, or Mentor Graphics Xpedition/PADS (specify your primary tool).
Strong understanding of grounding strategies, decoupling, EMI/EMC mitigation techniques, and thermal management via layout.
Deep familiarity with PCB fabrication processes (FR4, high-frequency laminates, HDI, blind/buried vias) and component packaging (BGA, QFN, 0201/01005 passives).
Working knowledge of IPC standards (IPC-2221, IPC-6012, etc.) and regulatory compliances (RoHS, CE, FCC).

Responsibilities

Design complex multi-layer (analog, digital, mixed-signal, and RF) printed circuit boards from schematic capture through to manufacturing release.
Execute component placement, stack-up design, and high-speed routing while managing signal integrity (SI) and power integrity (PI) requirements.
Implement controlled impedance, differential pairs, length matching, and isolation strategies for sensitive analog/RF signals.
Work alongside hardware engineers to interpret schematics, netlists, and specific layout constraints (e.g., high-voltage spacing, thermal dissipation).
Interface with mechanical engineers to ensure seamless mechanical integration, utilizing ECAD-MCAD co-design tools to manage board outlines, keep-out zones, and component heights.
Participate in formal design reviews to identify potential layout, thermal, or manufacturing risks before production.
Create, verify, and maintain schematic symbols and 2D/3D component footprints according to company standards and IPC-7351 guidelines.
Manage the component database, ensuring correct mapping between schematics, footprints, and manufacturer part numbers.
Apply strict DFX (Design for Excellence) principles, specifically focusing on DFM (Design for Manufacturing) and DFA (Design for Assembly) to maximize production yields.
Generate comprehensive fabrication and assembly packages, including Gerber files, ODB++, NC drill files, Bill of Materials (BOM), and detailed assembly drawings.
Liaise with PCB fabrication and assembly vendors to resolve technical queries (EQs) during production.