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Salary: USD 79,200 - 125,000 / annual
Northwood Space is a modern space infrastructure company building a global network of phased array ground stations for satellite communications supporting national security, global connectivity, and disaster response. We are seeking a PCB Designer to be our first dedicated PCB layout hire, establishing the discipline and standards from the ground up.
You will own the physical layout of complex, high-density, high-layer-count PCBs featuring high-speed, high-frequency digital, RF, mixed-signal, and power distribution systems. Your responsibilities include determining optimum layer stackups, performing component placement and routing feasibility studies, managing strict high-speed/high-frequency constraint rules, and creating and maintaining ECAD libraries for a wide array of active, passive, and high-pin-count components.
You will collaborate across hardware and production teams to ensure strict adherence to Design for Manufacturability (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), and Design for Test (DFT) guidelines. You will generate comprehensive documentation packages for fabrication and assembly (Gerbers, ODB++, IPC-2581, drill charts, fabrication drawings) and work closely with external PCB fabrication and assembly vendors to resolve technical queries and continuously improve internal design rules.
As a founding PCB Designer, you will evaluate, select, and champion advanced PCB design tools and automation scripts to establish the technical groundwork for scaling the layout function as the team grows. You will serve as the internal authority on high-speed and high-frequency layout practices, mentoring engineers across disciplines on layout-aware design. You will partner closely with Electrical, RF, and Antenna engineers from concept to production, setting the technical bar for layout expertise and building the foundation for a team that delivers hardware known for its reliability, scalability, and cost.
Note: This role requires willingness to work extended hours and weekends as needed. Due to U.S. Government space technology export regulations (ITAR), you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
REQUIREMENTS:
- 2+ years of professional experience in complex, high-density PCB layout with demonstrated ownership of high-speed and high-frequency designs end-to-end (or Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering/related field with 6+ years of relevant experience)
- Hands-on expertise in high-speed and high-frequency layout techniques (impedance control, differential pairs, length matching, crosstalk mitigation, RF-aware routing)
- Proven experience with advanced packaging technologies including fine-pitch BGAs, high-pin-density components, and micro-vias (HDI)
- Strong command of PCB materials, dielectric properties, and developing multi-layer board stack-ups for high-frequency performance
- Demonstrated experience applying EMI/EMC mitigation techniques and designing robust power delivery networks (PDN) at the board level
- Track record of operating with significant autonomy, able to set direction and make final layout calls with minimal oversight
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- 2+ years of experience designing high-speed, high-frequency, mixed-signal PCBs for FPGA, processor, RF/antenna, or high-performance networking systems
- Experience routing high-speed interfaces such as multi-gigabit SerDes, DDR memory, JESD204B/C, and 10/100G Ethernet
- Proficiency in industry-standard ECAD tools (Altium Designer, Cadence Allegro, or Siemens Xpedition)
- Strong understanding of IPC standards (IPC-2221, IPC-7351) and commercial manufacturing tolerances
- Experience with ECAD/MCAD co-design and integration workflows (SolidWorks, STEP files) for tight mechanical constraints
- Experience with scripting or automation (Python, Skill, or Altium scripts) to optimize layout workflows
- Prior experience building or scaling a PCB layout function, standards library, or design process from scratch
- Excellent communication skills and proven ability to make sound layout tradeoffs in a fast-paced, collaborative hardware environment
