Freelance Pcb Layout Engineer Jobs in California

Zipline designs, manufactures, and operates autonomous delivery systems that depend on reliable, manufacturable electronics. Our boards need to work across a wide range of constraints: high‑speed digital interfaces, low‑speed control and sensing circuits, power distribution, mechanical packaging, thermal limits, regulatory requirements, supplier capability, and fast‑moving engineering schedules.

As an Electrical PCB Layout Engineer, you will own PCB layout execution in Altium from schematic handoff through fabrication and assembly release. You will work closely with electrical engineers on design intent, mechanical engineers on board outline and packaging constraints, and manufacturing partners on producibility. This is a hands‑on role for someone who can turn complex schematics into clean, robust, well‑documented board designs.

• Create PCB layouts in Altium for high‑speed, low‑speed, mixed‑signal, power, and embedded electronics.
• Partner with electrical engineers to understand schematic intent, critical nets, placement priorities, routing constraints, signal‑integrity concerns, and design‑risk areas.
• Work with mechanical engineers on board outlines, keepouts, mounting features, connector placement, enclosure constraints, cable routing, thermal requirements, and 3D fit checks.
• Define and apply layout rules for controlled impedance, differential pairs, length matching, spacing, creepage and clearance, via structures, return paths, and power distribution.
• Place components and route boards with attention to signal integrity, power integrity, EMI/EMC, thermal behavior, manufacturability, testability, and serviceability.
• Collaborate on stack‑up definition, material selection, layer planning, impedance targets, HDI tradeoffs, and fabrication constraints.
• Run design‑rule checks, review layout issues, and drive closure of placement, routing, manufacturability, and assembly concerns before release.
• Generate complete fabrication and assembly outputs, including Gerbers or ODB++, drill files, drawings, pick‑and‑place files, assembly notes, and documentation packages.
• Support design reviews with electrical, mechanical, firmware, manufacturing, supply‑chain, and quality teams.
• Work with PCB fabricators and contract manufacturers to resolve DFM, DFA, panelization, impedance, tolerance, assembly, and yield issues.
• Maintain clean design data, revision history, layout documentation, and release packages that support prototype builds and production handoff.
• Help improve layout standards, design checklists, Altium templates, library feedback loops, and repeatable release workflows.

• Experience designing PCB layouts for production hardware using Altium Designer.
• Strong understanding of PCB placement, routing, stack‑ups, vias, controlled impedance, differential pairs, length tuning, grounding, shielding, and return‑current paths.
• Experience with both high‑speed and low‑speed board design, including digital, analog, power, sensors, connectors, and embedded‑control circuits.
• Ability to read schematics, datasheets, reference designs, mechanical drawings, fabrication notes, and assembly requirements.
• Working knowledge of PCB fabrication and assembly processes, including DFM, DFA, DFT, solder‑mask and paste design, drill constraints, copper balance, panelization, and common manufacturing defects.
• Familiarity with IPC design and acceptability standards, such as IPC‑2221, IPC‑7351, IPC‑A‑600, or IPC‑A‑610.
• Experience collaborating with mechanical engineering through ECAD‑MCAD workflows, 3D models, enclosure constraints, and board‑fit reviews.
• Ability to communicate layout tradeoffs clearly with electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, vendors, and manufacturing partners.
• Strong attention to detail and the judgment to know when a layout issue is cosmetic, manufacturability‑related, or electrically risky.
• Comfort working independently in a remote environment while keeping design status, risks, and blockers visible to the team.

• Experience with aerospace, robotics, automotive, medical‑device, industrial, or other high‑reliability hardware.
• Experience with RF layout, antennas, switching power supplies, motor‑control electronics, dense BGAs, HDI, rigid‑flex, or flex circuits.
• Experience using simulation, analysis, or review tools for signal integrity, power integrity, thermal behavior, or manufacturability.
• IPC CID or CID+ certification, or equivalent demonstrated PCB design expertise.
• Experience supporting bring‑up, prototype builds, failure analysis, or production ramp with remote or distributed teams.

• Boards are routed cleanly, released on schedule, and built without avoidable layout‑related issues.
• Electrical and mechanical constraints are understood early and reflected accurately in the layout.
• Fabrication and assembly packages are complete, consistent, and easy for vendors to use.
• DFM, DFA, signal‑integrity, power‑integrity, and mechanical‑fit issues are found during design reviews rather than during build.
• The layout process becomes more repeatable through better templates, checklists, documentation, and cross‑functional feedback.

Zipline is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws or our own sensibilities.

We value diversity at Zipline and welcome applications from those who are traditionally underrepresented in tech. If you like the sound of this position but are not sure if you are the perfect fit, please apply!