Design Engineer V - PCB Layout Engineer

Design Engineer V – PCB Layout Engineer

Contract Duration: 5 Months (Potential Extension) Location: Sunnyvale, CA (Onsite) Pay rate: $95-$100/hr. on W2

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced PCB Layout Engineer (Design Engineer V) to support an advanced product development team focused on next-generation consumer electronics and augmented reality technologies. The ideal candidate will be responsible for designing and delivering highly complex PCB layouts that incorporate advanced component technologies, innovative stack-up solutions, and aggressive miniaturization strategies.

This role requires close collaboration with electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, DFM teams, signal integrity/power integrity specialists, layout teams, library teams, and external manufacturing partners to deliver high-performance, production-ready PCB designs.

The successful candidate will lead PCB development efforts from initial concept through final tape-out, ensuring design quality, manufacturability, and compliance with project requirements.

Project Management & Design Execution

• Manage multiple complex PCB layout projects simultaneously, ensuring successful execution, schedule alignment, and timely project updates.
• Lead PCB designs from initial kickoff through tape-out, including: rigid PCB designs, rigid-flex PCB designs, flexible PCB designs, product and engineering/test platforms.
• Drive key design milestones including project kickoff meetings, component placement reviews, constraint definition reviews, design verification reviews.
• Maintain accurate project documentation, design trackers, and engineering workflow systems.
• Develop and maintain PCB design tool templates, project configurations, metadata, rules, and engineering standards.

Technical Expertise & Problem Solving

• Develop complex PCB layouts supporting advanced electronic products with challenging form-factor requirements.
• Apply strong knowledge of electrical engineering concepts, including power distribution networks (PDN), high-speed digital interfaces, signal integrity considerations, RF design requirements.
• Drive PCB miniaturization strategies for compact, high-density electronic products.
• Identify potential design risks, schedule challenges, and technical blockers early, and collaborate with engineering leadership to develop effective solutions.
• Evaluate and recommend practical design approaches balancing electrical performance, mechanical constraints, manufacturing capability, and product requirements.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Manufacturing Support

• Partner closely with electrical engineering teams, mechanical engineering teams, technical program managers, signal integrity/power integrity teams, manufacturing and supplier engineering teams.
• Resolve PCB design challenges through effective technical communication and collaboration.
• Work with DFM engineers during project initiation to validate manufacturing requirements and PCB fabrication constraints.
• Collaborate with external PCB suppliers and manufacturing partners to address design-for-manufacturing (DFM) concerns, yield improvement opportunities, production readiness challenges.
• Support successful transition of designs from engineering development into manufacturing.

Required Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in complex PCB design and layout engineering.
• 5+ years of hands-on experience using Cadence Allegro PCB Design tools (Version 23.1 or newer preferred).
• Strong understanding of PCB design principles, layout methodologies, and manufacturing processes.
• Experience designing high-density, complex electronic assemblies.
• Strong understanding of mechanical considerations in electronics product design.
• Excellent problem-solving skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related technical field.
• Experience implementing PCB miniaturization techniques for compact consumer electronics products.
• Experience designing PCBs for wearable devices, mobile electronics, small-form-factor embedded systems, advanced consumer hardware products.
• Experience working with rigid-flex and flexible PCB technologies.
• Experience collaborating directly with PCB fabrication and assembly suppliers.