PCB Design Engineer – Altium / Schematic & Layout

Team: Engineering & Operations

Location: Saratoga, CA

Commitment: Full-Time

Workplace Type: onsite

Salary:

We are seeking a hands-on PCB Design Engineer with deep expertise in schematic capture and PCB layout using Altium Designer. This role focuses on high-quality board design execution, robust system integration, and Design for Excellence (DFX)—this is not an RF/circuit design role, but RF/circuit experience is nice to have.

The ideal candidate is fluent in translating complex system requirements into production-ready, high-layer-count schematics and layouts for digital and mixed-signal systems.

Key Responsibilities

• End-to-End Design Ownership: Own the entire PCB lifecycle from initial concept and schematic capture through layout, routing, and manufacturing release.
• Altium Execution: Develop and maintain complex multi-layer PCB layouts and schematics within Altium Designer.
• Signal & Power Integrity: Design multi-layer boards with strict adherence to high-speed signal integrity, robust power distribution networks (PDN), and proper grounding strategies.
• Documentation & NPI: Generate complete fabrication and assembly packages, including Gerber/ODB++ files, BOMs, and manufacturing drawings.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with hardware, FPGA, firmware, and mechanical engineering teams to seamlessly integrate system constraints.
• Vendor Management: Coordinate directly with fabrication and assembly vendors to proactively resolve DFM/DFT issues.
• Library & Revisions: Manage component selection, maintain the ECAD library, and support board bring-up, debugging, and iterative design revisions.

Required Qualifications

• Altium Mastery: Proven, hands-on experience with advanced PCB layout and schematic capture specifically in Altium Designer.
• Complex Board Design: Experience successfully designing high-layer-count (e.g., 6+ layers), high-density digital and mixed-signal boards.
• Hardware Fundamentals: Deep understanding of stack-up planning, high-speed routing practices, differential pair routing, and impedance control.
• EMI/EMC & Power: Strong grasp of EMI/EMC-aware layout techniques, power distribution, and decoupling strategies.
• Manufacturability: Solid familiarity with PCB fabrication processes, assembly constraints, and DFM guidelines.
• Autonomy: Ability to work independently, manage tight deadlines, and navigate multiple concurrent board revisions.

Nice to Have (Preferred Skills)

• Experience routing high-speed interfaces (e.g., DDR4/5, PCIe, JESD204, Ethernet, or multi-gigabit serial links).
• Experience working with FPGA-based architectures and complex pin-swapping/constraints.
• Familiarity with thermal management strategies and tight mechanical/enclosure integration.
• Exposure to embedded systems architecture and localized DC-DC power supply layouts