PCB Layout Designer (Mid to Principal)

ExtensisHR•Seattle, WA

About The Position

The PCB Layout Designer owns physical design of complex, high-performance PCBs across avionics and RF hardware and serves as the single point of accountability for the ECAD parts library. The role combines hands-on layout engineering with library and process ownership, partnering with electrical engineers from early design through fabrication and board bring-up. The designer works with an external parts library vendor and is the authority on component footprints, schematic symbols, and library quality. The work includes layout of multilayer digital, mixed-signal, RF, and high-power boards; signal and power integrity; design verification; and creation of fabrication and assembly packages. It also includes maintaining library quality and configuration control, establishing part-creation processes, and improving ECAD tooling and workflows. Designs should account for environmental robustness relevant to space and defense applications.

Requirements

At least 4 years of professional PCB layout experience, including demonstrated ownership of complex, production-released boards.
Proficiency in at least one major ECAD layout tool, such as Altium Designer, Cadence Allegro, Mentor/Xpedition, or equivalent.
Strong signal-integrity fundamentals, including transmission-line design, impedance matching, termination strategies, and high-speed interface routing such as PCIe, DDR, Ethernet, or LVDS.
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.
S. person status required: U.S. citizen, national, lawful permanent resident, asylee, or refugee.

Nice To Haves

Experience with RF/microwave PCB layout using high-frequency laminates such as Rogers, Taconic, or Isola.
Experience designing for harsh or space environments, including thermal cycling, vacuum, vibration, or 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 such as HyperLynx, Ansys SIwave, or Cadence Sigrity.
IPC CID or CID+ certification.
Scripting experience in Python, SKILL, or Perl for EDA automation.

Responsibilities

Own layout of complex multilayer PCBs across 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 design to inform stackup selection, component placement strategy, and design-for-manufacturability trade-offs.
Apply signal- and power-integrity practices, including impedance control, controlled-impedance routing, PDN design, crosstalk mitigation, and EMI/EMC best practices.
Perform and resolve DRC, ERC, and LVS verification.
Generate fabrication and assembly packages, including Gerber files, drill files, assembly drawings, and BOMs; work directly with fabricators and contract manufacturers to resolve issues and support first-pass success.
Support board bring-up and hardware debug with electrical and test teams, identifying and resolving layout-related issues.
Design for environmental robustness, including thermal management, vibration, and applicable environmental qualification considerations for space and defense applications.
Own the ECAD parts library, including schematic symbols, physical footprints, and metadata, and maintain its accuracy, consistency, and compliance with IPC standards.
Triage, prioritize, and fulfill part-creation requests; establish and communicate turnaround SLAs.
Manage the external parts library vendor relationship, including assigning tasks, reviewing quality, accepting deliveries, and escalating issues.
Conduct library quality control, including pad-stack audits, DRC verification, datasheet cross-checks, and periodic library health reviews.
Maintain the library in a database-backed configuration management system and enforce versioning and change-control workflows.
Develop and maintain internal part-creation standards, document processes, and train engineers on library usage.
Evaluate and champion improvements to ECAD tools, library-management workflows, and vendor capabilities.