PCB Design Engineer

PCB Design Engineer (RF/HDI)This full-time PCB Design Engineer role focuses on the design, layout, analysis, and documentation of complex multilayer printed circuit boards for aerospace and space-based applications. You will independently execute advanced RF and HDI board layouts, collaborate closely with cross-functional engineering teams, and contribute directly to the development of high-reliability, mission-critical electronics. The position emphasizes RF circuitry, High-Density Interconnect (HDI) technologies, signal integrity, power integrity, and manufacturability while ensuring high performance and quality in demanding environments.Responsibilities:Design and develop complex multilayer PCB layouts for aerospace, communications, sensing, and embedded systems applications.Create PCB designs that incorporate RF, microwave, high-speed digital, mixed-signal, and power distribution circuitry.Develop HDI PCB designs featuring blind and buried vias, via-in-pad structures, microvias, controlled impedance routing, and dense component placement.Define and refine board stack-ups in collaboration with fabrication vendors and electrical engineering teams.Support schematic capture reviews and provide Design for Manufacturability (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), and Design for Testability (DFT) recommendations.Conduct signal integrity and power integrity analysis to ensure high-performance operation across RF and high-speed digital interfaces.Optimize PCB layouts for EMI/EMC compliance, thermal management, reliability, and manufacturability.Generate complete fabrication, assembly, and manufacturing documentation packages for production release.Coordinate directly with PCB fabrication and assembly suppliers to resolve technical issues and support production readiness.Participate in formal and informal design reviews and support engineering change processes throughout the product lifecycle.Support prototype builds, including bring-up, troubleshooting, and root cause investigations for layout-related issues.Contribute to design verification efforts to ensure boards meet electrical, mechanical, and environmental requirements.Ensure PCB designs comply with applicable aerospace, IPC, and high-reliability quality standards.Essential Skills:Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering Technology, or a related technical field, or equivalent industry experience.At least 3 years of PCB design and layout experience.Proficiency with advanced PCB design tools, including Altium Designer.Experience designing multilayer PCBs, with 8 or more layers preferred.Hands-on experience with HDI technologies such as blind and buried vias, microvias, via-in-pad, sequential lamination, and fine-pitch BGAs.Experience supporting RF and microwave designs operating from MHz through multi-GHz frequency ranges.Understanding of controlled impedance routing practices for RF and high-speed digital interfaces.Experience with high-speed digital interfaces such as DDR3/DDR4, PCIe, Ethernet, USB, and SerDes architectures.Knowledge of PCB fabrication and assembly processes and their impact on layout decisions.Familiarity with IPC standards including IPC-2221, IPC-7351, and IPC-A-610.Ability to interpret complex schematics and collaborate effectively with hardware, FPGA, embedded software, mechanical, manufacturing, and test engineering teams.Ability to perform or support signal integrity and power integrity analysis.Ability to optimize layouts for EMI/EMC, thermal performance, and reliability.Eligibility to work on export-controlled projects as a U.S. Person.Additional Skills & Qualifications:Experience with additional PCB design toolchains such as Cadence Allegro/OrCAD.Experience with Siemens Xpedition (Mentor Graphics) is preferred.Experience supporting space, aerospace, defense, satellite, launch vehicle, or other high-reliability electronics programs.Working knowledge of RF front ends, antenna systems, GNSS, telemetry, communications, radar, or electronic warfare systems.Experience with RF shielding techniques and EMI/EMC mitigation strategies.Familiarity with thermal analysis methods as they relate to PCB layout and component placement.Experience using power integrity and signal integrity tools to validate PCB designs.Familiarity with IPC Class 3 requirements and mission-critical hardware design practices.Experience transitioning products from prototype through full-rate production.Strong problem-solving skills and a hands-on approach to supporting prototype builds and design verification.Work Environment:You will work in a highly collaborative engineering environment focused on advanced aerospace and spaceflight hardware. The technical environment includes RF and microwave electronics, HDI PCB technologies, high-speed digital design, controlled impedance routing, FPGA-based systems, embedded processors and SoCs, and satellite and spaceflight hardware. Projects emphasize signal integrity, power integrity, EMI/EMC compliance, and IPC Class 3 electronics. The role is full-time and based in Cape Canaveral, FL, where you will interact closely with electrical, FPGA, embedded software, mechanical, manufacturing, and test engineering teams as well as PCB fabrication and assembly partners to bring complex, high-reliability designs from concept through production.Job Type & Location:This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Merritt Island, FL.Pay and Benefits:The pay range for this position is $55.00 - $70.00/hr. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)Workplace Type:This is a fully onsite position in Merritt Island, FL.Application Deadline:This position is anticipated to close on Aug 27, 2026.About Actalent:Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on click.appcast.io for other accommodation options.San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.