Senior PCB Designer

Job Description

Job Description

Vector Atomic is building quantum hardware to transform navigation, timing, geophysical exploration, and telecommunications. In 2025, we joined IonQ [NYSE: IONQ], the world’s leading quantum platform and merchant supplier – delivering integrated quantum solutions across computing, networking, sensing, and security.

Our scientists, engineers, software developers, and operations professionals collaborate to deliver real-world solutions. We value ingenuity, diverse skillsets, and teamwork. Every team member can make an immediate impact while growing professionally. Join us to build breakthrough technology in a fast-paced, hands-on environment.

You’ll collaborate with a talented team of experienced engineers to develop PCBAs and supporting electronics for innovative R&D initiatives and commercial products. This is a unique opportunity to play a hands-on role in transforming cutting-edge quantum technologies into real-world solutions with meaningful impact.

Location: This role is based onsite at our office in Pleasanton, CA (Bay Area)

Requirements

Key Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with design engineers and physicists to develop custom PCBs for precision sensor systems.
• Review design requirements and develop schematics, custom footprints, component placement, and signal routing for multilayer PCBAs containing digital, analog, and power circuits.
• Apply established design rules and define PCB layer stack-ups and via strategies. Update layouts based on feedback from engineering design reviews.
• Perform BOM scrubbing, resolve DRC issues, and review designs for manufacturability.
• Prepare fabrication and assembly documentation including BOMs, Gerber/ODB++ files, drill files, and manufacturing drawings.
• Work directly with PCB fabricators and assembly vendors to address build questions and resolve parts procurement issues.
• Maintain organized design files, libraries, and documentation within our PLM system and support PCB revisions and engineering change orders (ECOs).
• Collaborate with test engineers on board bring-up, troubleshooting, and validation.

Basic Qualifications:

• Technical degree, relevant certification, or equivalent hands-on industry or military experience.
• 5-8 years of professional PCB layout experience including PCBA fabrication and manufacturing support.
• Strong understanding of PCB layout fundamentals including component placement, routing, planes, and vias.
• Comfortable working in a laboratory environment.
• Ability to communicate effectively with coworkers and collaborators, both written and verbal.
• Ability to work independently on assigned activities while collaborating within multidisciplinary teams.
• To comply with US export control laws, Vector Atomic employees must be U.S. citizens (born or naturalized), lawful U.S. permanent residents (i.e. green card holders), and certain categories of refugees and asylees.
• Ability to work onsite full-time at our office in Pleasanton, CA (SF Bay Area)

Preferred Experience (several of the following)

• Understanding of grounding strategies and power routing in practical PCB design.
• Strong background in general electronics and electronic systems.
• Experience working with laboratory instrumentation and electronic test equipment.
• Proficiency with modern PCB design tools, preferably Altium Designer.
• Experience designing high-density layouts with HDI requirements and multilayer boards.
• Deep knowledge of PCB fabrication processes and manufacturing documentation.
• Experience designing boards with controlled impedance, including differential pair routing and tight length matching requirements.
• Background in mixed-signal or low-noise analog circuit design environments.
• Demonstrated curiosity and motivation to expand knowledge of electronics fundamentals.
• IPC certifications related to electronics or PCB design.
• Experience designing to or updating documentation for RoHS, CE, EMI/EMC, or UL compliance.

Benefits

Vector Atomic offers competitive compensation and benefits including:

• Platinum-level family health coverage (medical, dental, vision)
• Health and dependent care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Employer 401(k) contributions
• 20 days of paid time off / 11 paid holidays
• Paid parental leave
• Fully stocked kitchen

Pay Range

The base salary range for this position is $130,000 - $155,000 per year. The total compensation package includes base, bonus, equity and benefits. Please note that it is less common for candidates to be hired at the top of this range, as final compensation is determined by factors such as job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Vector Atomic is an equal opportunity employer and we welcome applications from all backgrounds regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability, or any other classification protected by law.

Vector Atomic does not accept unsolicited resumes from individual recruiters or third-party recruiting agencies in response to job postings. No fee will be paid to third parties who submit unsolicited candidates directly to our hiring managers or HR team.