| Location: | Carlsbad, CA, USA | Pay Rate: | $120 - $150 per hour |
| Pay Type: | per hour | Employment Type: | Full Time |
Position Overview
We are seeking an Expert PCB Designer to support the development of advanced, mission-critical electronic systems in a secure environment. This role requires deep expertise in high-speed digital, RF, and analog PCB design, with a focus on complex, multi-layer boards used in high-performance applications.
The ideal candidate will bring extensive experience designing cutting-edge PCB layouts, including HDI, fine-pitch BGAs, and high-speed interfaces up to 100 Gigabit Ethernet, while collaborating closely with cross-functional engineering teams.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and develop complex multi-layer PCB layouts for high-speed digital, RF, analog, microwave, and power applications
- Create high-density interconnect (HDI) designs, including fine-pitch BGA (.4mm) components and high pin-count devices
- Implement controlled impedance routing, including microstrip, stripline, and differential pair routing with matched lengths and delay control
- Develop layouts for DDR3/DDR4, LVDS, SerDes, Rocket I/O, JTAG, DSP, and high-speed interfaces up to 100 Gigabit Ethernet
- Perform RF layout design, including transmission lines, grounding, shielding, and isolation techniques to ensure optimal performance
- Design flex and rigid-flex circuits with complex mechanical constraints
- Define and implement blind and buried microvias for Class 3 PCB standards
- Collaborate with Electrical Engineers (EE), Mechanical Engineers (ME), and fabrication vendors to define:
- Board stack-ups
- Materials and laminates
- Fabrication and assembly processes
- Integrate mechanical constraints using IDF, DXF, and STEP 3D files, including geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T)
- Apply EMI/EMC mitigation techniques and ensure compliance with IPC standards
- Support DFM (Design for Manufacturability) and DFA (Design for Assembly) processes
- Utilize tools such as Siemens / Mentor Graphics Xpedition (VX), EDM, and Valor NPI for design and validation
- Mentor junior designers and provide technical leadership as needed
Required Qualifications
- Active Secret Security Clearance (required to work in SCIF)
- 10+ years of experience in PCB design, with a focus on high-speed and RF systems
- Expertise in Mentor Graphics Xpedition (VX) / Siemens PCB tools and EDM
- Strong experience with:
- High-speed digital and mixed-signal PCB design
- RF and microwave layout techniques
- Controlled impedance and signal integrity principles
- Proven experience designing complex, multi-layer PCBs (including 1TB-class designs)
- Hands-on experience with:
- HDI design and microvias
- Fine-pitch BGAs (.4mm)
- DDR3/DDR4 memory layouts
- High-speed protocols (LVDS, SerDes, 100GbE)
- Deep understanding of PCB materials, fabrication, and assembly processes
- Familiarity with IPC standards (Class 3 preferred)
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with RF wire bonding and circuit partitioning using shield walls
- Strong background in low-noise RF/analog design techniques
- Experience working in defense, aerospace, or classified environments
- Prior experience mentoring or leading PCB design teams
Work Environment
- Onsite work required in a Secure Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF)
- Collaboration with multidisciplinary engineering teams in a fast-paced, high-security setting
Why Join
- Opportunity to work on cutting-edge, high-performance electronics
- Competitive hourly compensation
- Collaborative, engineering-driven environment with impactful, mission-critical work
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Apply Now