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Freelance Pcb Layout Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Lunar Energy

PCB Layout Engineer

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$140K - $180K/yr

The PCB layout designer would be responsible for doing full layouts of all our boards as well as designing library parts for new components as they come in. We are looking for people with a passion ...

HCLTech

PCB Layout Engineer

Menlo Park, CA · On-site

$148K/yr

PCB Layout Engineer Job ID: 111699 Position Type: Full Time Location: Menlo Park, California ... Execute HDI PCB designs utilizing blind, buried, and microvia technologies. * Drive DFM, DFA, and ...

Lunar Energy

PCB Layout Engineer

Mountain View, CA

$140K - $180K/yr

The PCB layout designer would be responsible for doing full layouts of all our boards as well as designing library parts for new components as they come in. We are looking for people with a passion ...

VIGI

PCB Layout Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$120 - $150/hr

As a PCB Layout Engineer for home network products, you will be responsible for complex PCB designs and layouts with thousands of components which contain CPU, DDR, FLASH, PHY, Wi-Fi RF modules, etc.

Socket.dev

PCB Layout Engineer

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$140 - $180/hr

The PCB layout designer would be responsible for doing full layouts of all our boards as well as designing library parts for new components as they come in. We are looking for people with a passion ...

Celestica

Staff Engineer, PCB Layout

Austin, TX · On-site

... PCB Layout designers, customers, manufacturing engineering and project leadership to ensure robust ... Enhance designs with feedback from reviews in areas such as manufacturing, test, supply chain ...

VIGI

$120 - $150/hr

As a PCB Layout Engineer for home network products, you will be responsible for complex PCB designs and layouts with thousands of components which contain CPU, DDR, FLASH, PHY, Wi-Fi RF modules, etc.

TP-Link Systems Inc.

PCB Layout Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$120K - $150K/yr

As a PCB Layout Engineer for home network products, you will be responsible for complex PCB designs and layouts with thousands of components which contain CPU, DDR, FLASH, PHY, Wi-Fi RF modules, etc.

Celestica

Staff Engineer, PCB Layout

Austin, TX · On-site

... PCB Layout designers, customers, manufacturing engineering and project leadership to ensure robust ... Enhance designs with feedback from reviews in areas such as manufacturing, test, supply chain ...

TP-Link Systems Inc.

PCB Layout Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$120K - $150K/yr

As a PCB Layout Engineer for home network products, you will be responsible for complex PCB designs and layouts with thousands of components which contain CPU, DDR, FLASH, PHY, Wi-Fi RF modules, etc.

TP-Link Systems Inc.

PCB Layout Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$120K - $150K/yr

As a PCB Layout Engineer for home network products, you will be responsible for complex PCB designs and layouts with thousands of components which contain CPU, DDR, FLASH, PHY, Wi-Fi RF modules, etc.

Banner Engineering

PCB Layout

Plymouth, MN · On-site

$48.41 - $68.30/hr

Designing and redesigning PCBs from schematics and design requirements within the Mentor Graphics ... Experience in setting up and modifying constraints in PCB Layout * High speed PCB design experience

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Freelance Pcb Layout Designer information

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$40K

$100.7K

$169K

How much do freelance pcb layout designer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for freelance pcb layout designer in the United States is $100,705.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $75,500.00 and $120,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a freelance PCB layout designer do?

A Freelance PCB (Printed Circuit Board) Layout Designer is responsible for designing the physical layout of electronic circuit boards according to specific requirements or schematics. They use specialized software to create layouts that ensure optimal performance, manufacturability, and compliance with industry standards. Freelancers in this role typically work with clients from various industries, transforming electrical schematics into manufacturable PCB designs, often collaborating remotely. Their tasks may include component placement, routing of signal traces, and preparing files for fabrication. Attention to detail, knowledge of electronic components, and familiarity with design tools like Altium Designer or Eagle are essential skills for this job.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a freelance PCB layout designer?

To thrive as a Freelance PCB Layout Designer, you need a solid understanding of electronic circuit design, PCB layout principles, and familiarity with industry standards, often supported by an engineering degree or relevant experience. Mastery of CAD tools such as Altium Designer, Eagle, or KiCAD, along with knowledge of simulation and verification software, is typically required. Strong attention to detail, effective communication with clients, and the ability to manage deadlines independently are crucial soft skills. These skills ensure the delivery of reliable, manufacturable, and client-focused PCB designs in a competitive freelance environment.

What are common challenges faced by freelance PCB layout designers when collaborating with clients and engineering teams remotely?

Freelance PCB layout designers often face challenges such as ensuring clear communication of design requirements, managing different time zones, and aligning with clients' preferred design standards or EDA tools. Misunderstandings can occur if documentation is incomplete or if expectations for deliverables are not clearly defined. Establishing regular check-ins, using collaborative design platforms, and maintaining thorough project documentation can help mitigate these issues and ensure successful project outcomes.

What is the difference between Freelance Pcb Layout Designer vs Electronics Design Engineer?

AspectFreelance Pcb Layout DesignerElectronics Design Engineer
CredentialsTypically requires PCB design certifications, CAD skillsRequires electrical engineering degree, certifications often preferred
Work EnvironmentIndependent, remote, project-basedIn-house or consulting, team-based
Industry UsageUsed across electronics manufacturing, startups, freelance platformsUsed in product development, R&D departments

The main difference is that Freelance Pcb Layout Designers focus on creating PCB layouts independently, often on a project basis, while Electronics Design Engineers are involved in the entire electronic product design process within organizations. Freelancers typically handle specific design tasks, whereas engineers oversee comprehensive development, including circuit design and testing.

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Freelance Pcb Layout Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Freelance Pcb Layout Designer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 83% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 3% Nights. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $100,705 per year, or $48.4 per hour.

PCB Layout / ECAD Designer

Kraken Kinetics

Pinehurst, NC • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 20 days ago

Job description

ABOUT KRAKEN KINETICS
Kraken Kinetics designs and manufactures advanced kinetic solutions that enable modern warfighting capabilities for the United States Armed Forces and its allies. We specialize in mission-tailored warheads and firing systems for unmanned and autonomous weapon platforms, delivering production-ready solutions at speed to address urgent national security challenges.
Our team brings decades of specialized Department of War experience across the full lifecycle of kinetic system development-from concept and design through testing, manufacturing, and operational deployment. Built on a foundation of work that helped lead the DoW into the era of kinetic drones, Kraken Kinetics combines commercial agility with deep technical expertise to deliver DEFINITIVE LETHALITY™when it matters most.
Position Summary
Location: On-site at our Pinehurst area location
Kraken Kinetics is seeking a PCB Layout / ECAD Designer to support the development and release of printed circuit boards for advanced defense products. This role will work closely with electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, firmware engineers, and manufacturing partners to turn circuit designs into manufacturable, testable, and configuration-controlled PCB assemblies.
The PCB Layout / ECAD Designer will provide additional layout capacity and help mature Kraken's ECAD practices, including library management, layout standards, release documentation, and design-for-manufacturing feedback. This role is ideal for a hands-on designer who can work quickly and independently[BS1] while helping establish disciplined practices that support a growing engineering team.
Roles & Responsibilities
  • Perform PCB layout for digital, analog, mixed-signal, power, and safety-critical electronics.
  • Collaborate with electrical engineers to understand schematics, design intent, routing constraints, and critical circuit requirements.
  • Work with mechanical engineers to define board outlines, connector placement, keep-in / keep-out zones, mounting features, and packaging constraints.
  • Create and maintain PCB footprints, symbols, component libraries, and ECAD documentation.
  • Support design-for-manufacturing (DFM), design-for-test (DFT), and design-for-assembly (DFA) reviews.
  • Generate fabrication and assembly outputs, including Gerbers, ODB++, pick-and-place files, drawings, stackup notes, and assembly documentation.
  • Interface with PCB fabrication and assembly vendors to resolve manufacturing questions and improve board quality.
  • Participate in PCB design reviews and contribute to layout standards, checklist development, and release practices.
  • Support ECOs, revision updates, and configuration-controlled release packages.
  • Help improve Kraken's ECAD workflows, library discipline, and documentation practices as the team scales.

Required Qualifications
  • 3+ years of professional PCB layout or ECAD design experience.
  • Proficiency with Altium Designer or similar professional PCB design tools.
  • Experience laying out multi-layer printed circuit boards.
  • Strong understanding of PCB fabrication, assembly processes, component footprints, and manufacturing documentation.
  • Ability to interpret schematics and work closely with electrical engineers to implement design intent.
  • Understanding of PCB design principles, including component placement, routing strategy, grounding, power distribution, and layer stack-up development.
  • Understanding of signal integrity concepts including EMI/EMC considerations, coupling and crosstalk mitigation, impedance[BS2] control, shielding, and isolation.
  • Working knowledge of applicable IPC standards and guidelines, and the workmanship requirements associated with IPC Class 1, 2, and 3 electronic assemblies.
  • Experience creating fabrication and assembly output packages.
  • Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple board designs or revisions concurrently.
  • Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, cross-functional engineering environment.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with high-density, mixed-signal, high-reliability, or safety-critical PCB designs.
  • Experience with rigid-flex PCB design.
  • Experience with Altium library management, component lifecycle tracking, or ECAD standards development.
  • Familiarity with DFM/DFT practices, bed-of-nails test points, production test access, and panelization.
  • Experience with IPC standards related to PCB design, component creation & footprints, fabrication, or assembly.
  • Experience working with contract manufacturers, PCB fabricators, and assembly houses.
  • Background in defense, aerospace, medical device, robotics, or other high-reliability electronics environments.
  • Experience supporting ECOs, configuration management, and production release workflows.

Benefits included:
  • Generous PTO policy
  • Comprehensive medical coverage (80% company-paid for employee + dependents).
  • Vision & dental (100% company-paid)
  • Short and long-term disability coverage (100% company-paid)
  • Generous 401(k) retirement plan
  • Company-paid life insurance
  • Great teammates and well stocked snacks

LIFE IN MOORE COUNTY, NC (PINEHURST AREA)
Kraken Kinetics is based in Moore County, North Carolina, home to Pinehurst, a nationally recognized destination offering an exceptional quality of life.
Employees benefit from a low cost of living, minimal congestion, and a strong sense of community, with easy access to larger metropolitan areas, including Raleigh-Durham.
Whether you're looking to accelerate your career or put down long-term roots, the Pinehurst area offers a compelling alternative to traditional tech and defense hubs.
We are committed to supporting relocation for the right candidates.
Watch what it's like to live here:
[ Video Link]
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Kraken Kinetics is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and welcome applicants of all backgrounds.

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