Pcb Designer

Job Title: PCB Design Engineer
Job Description
This hands-on PCB Design Engineer role focuses on end-to-end PCB development for dense, small-form-factor boards used in rugged robotic platforms. You will own the full product lifecycle from concept through production, working closely with firmware engineers and testing hardware in both lab and robot environments. The position emphasizes fast, execution-focused engineering and production readiness rather than high-level systems architecture or purely theoretical R&D.
Responsibilities

• Own PCB design for robotic subsystems from initial concept through prototype, production, and volume scaling.
• Design schematics and PCB layouts for high-density, small-form-factor boards typically ranging from 4 to 8 layers.
• Collaborate closely with firmware engineers on board bring-up, integration, and validation activities.
• Perform hands-on hardware bring-up, including powering up new boards, running tests, and verifying functionality.
• Debug hardware issues both on the bench and in the field, identifying root causes and implementing robust fixes.
• Support existing product sustainment by implementing design updates, resolving field issues, and improving reliability.
• Contribute to new product development by designing production-ready electronics optimized for manufacturability and robustness.
• Occasionally interface with manufacturing teams and contract manufacturers to address design-for-manufacturing considerations and resolve build issues.
• Work directly with robot hardware to validate PCB performance in real-world operating conditions.
• Execute design and validation work under tight timelines while maintaining a strong focus on production readiness.

Essential Skills

• Recent, hands-on PCB design experience, actively designing boards in the current role rather than several years in the past.
• Strong proficiency in schematic capture for complex, multi-layer electronic designs.
• Strong proficiency in PCB layout for dense, small-form-factor boards with 4-8 layers.
• Demonstrated experience with hardware bring-up, including powering and validating new boards.
• Proven ability to debug and resolve hardware issues using bench equipment and field testing.
• Full product lifecycle experience, having taken at least one product from concept through prototype, production, and volume scaling.
• Experience owning the complete hardware design process rather than focusing only on schematics, layout, or testing in isolation.
• Experience with motor control electronics and/or battery management systems, including exposure to brushless DC motor controllers or BMS.
• Production-oriented engineering mindset, with experience delivering hardware under tight timelines and limited engineering resources.
• Comfort working hands-on with physical hardware, including robots, in lab and test environments.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience designing brushless DC motor controllers is a significant plus.
• Ownership of battery management system (BMS) design, not just integration of existing designs.
• Experience developing compact, embedded, or ruggedized electronics for demanding environments.
• Exposure to robotics platforms and understanding of their unique electrical and integration challenges.
• Familiarity with Altium Designer or similar PCB design tools, with Altium preferred.
• Experience interfacing with contract manufacturers, including reviewing builds and addressing manufacturability issues.
• Ability to thrive in a highly technical, R&D-heavy team while bringing a strong execution and delivery focus.

Work Environment
The role is primarily onsite 3-4 days per week in a lab and robot testing environment in Philadelphia, PA. You will work with tools such as Altium (preferred) for schematic capture and PCB layout, and you will interact closely with motor control electronics, battery systems, and sensor integration hardware. The team consists of highly technical engineers, including individuals with deep R&D backgrounds, and values an execution-focused approach that emphasizes speed, practicality, and production readiness. Work is hands-on with bench equipment and robot platforms, supporting both new product development and existing product sustainment in a collaborative, engineering-driven setting.
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Philadelphia, PA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $130000.00 - $160000.00/yr.
• "You will own real hardware - not just design it"
• "Highly visible impact role (small team, big responsibility)"
• "Work directly on advanced robotics systems (not commodity electronics)" "Balance of R&D + real-world product execution"
Workplace Type
This is a hybrid position in Philadelphia,PA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Jul 21, 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.