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Freelance Pcb Layout Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

About the job As a Lead RF PCB Layout Engineer, you will own the physical implementation of Array's RF and microwave electronics in Altium, translating schematics and performance requirements into ...

As a Sr PCB Layout Engineer, you will participate in the definition and implementation of multiple spacecraft subsystems. You will contribute in all phases of PCB design and production. You must ...

As a PCB Layout Engineer, you will participate in the definition and implementation of multiple spacecraft subsystems. This individual will contribute in all phases of system design and production.

As a Sr. PCB Layout Engineer, you will participate in the definition and implementation of multiple spacecraft subsystems. You will contribute in all phases of PCB design and production. You must ...

As a PCB Layout Engineer, you will participate in the definition and implementation of multiple spacecraft subsystems This individual will contribute in all phases of system design and production.

PCB Layout Design Engineer

Rochester, NY · On-site

$69.50K - $128.50K/yr

PCB Layout Design Engineer * Please apply ONLY if you have experience with PCB design software such as PADS United States Citizenship is required Due to government contract requirement, we are unable ...

As a PCB Layout Engineer, you will participate in the definition and implementation of multiple spacecraft subsystems This individual will contribute in all phases of system design and production.

About this Job We are looking for a Senior Layout Engineer who can serve as the critical bridge ... Experience: 10+ years of PCB layout experience, with expert-level proficiency in Altium Designer

About this Job We are looking for a Senior Layout Engineer who can serve as the critical bridge ... Experience: 10+ years of PCB layout experience, with expert-level proficiency in Altium Designer

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Freelance Pcb Layout Engineer information

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$40K

$100.7K

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

As of May 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for freelance pcb layout engineer 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 are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Freelance PCB Layout Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Freelance PCB Layout Engineer, you need expertise in electronics engineering principles, circuit design, and PCB layout, often supported by a degree in electrical engineering or a related field. Proficiency with industry-standard EDA tools such as Altium Designer, Eagle, or KiCad, and knowledge of IPC standards are typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication with clients are essential soft skills. These skills and qualifications ensure accurate, manufacturable designs and successful collaboration with clients and fabrication partners.

What are some common challenges faced by freelance PCB Layout Engineers, and how can they be managed?

Freelance PCB Layout Engineers often face challenges such as communicating effectively with remote clients, managing project timelines, and handling varying design requirements across different industries. To overcome these, it's important to establish clear communication channels, use collaborative design tools, and stay updated with relevant industry standards. Building a routine for regular client updates and documentation can also help ensure projects run smoothly and meet client expectations.

What does a Freelance PCB Layout Engineer do?

A Freelance PCB Layout Engineer specializes in designing the physical layout of printed circuit boards (PCBs) based on electrical schematics and design requirements. They use specialized software to arrange components and routing traces, ensuring signal integrity, manufacturability, and compliance with industry standards. Working as freelancers, they often collaborate remotely with clients in various industries, providing expertise on optimizing PCB design for performance, cost, and reliability.

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

AspectFreelance Pcb Layout EngineerElectronics Design Engineer
CredentialsTypically requires PCB design certifications, technical skillsRequires electrical engineering degree, circuit design skills
Work EnvironmentIndependent, project-based, remote or on-siteIn-house or consulting, often team-based
Industry UsageCommon in manufacturing, prototyping, freelance platformsUsed in product development, R&D departments

Freelance Pcb Layout Engineers focus on PCB design tasks independently, often working remotely on specific projects. Electronics Design Engineers typically handle both circuit design and PCB layout within a team or company setting. While both roles require technical expertise, the freelance PCB layout engineer emphasizes independent work and specialized PCB skills, whereas electronics design engineers have broader responsibilities in electronic product development.

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What cities are hiring for Freelance Pcb Layout Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Freelance Pcb Layout Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Pcb Layout Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Pcb Layout Engineer jobs are:
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What job categories do people searching Freelance Pcb Layout Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Freelance Pcb Layout Engineer jobs are:
Infographic showing various Freelance Pcb Layout Engineer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 14% Full Time, 47% Part Time, 5% Temporary, 29% Contract, and 5% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $100,705 per year, or $48.4 per hour.
Lead RF PCB Layout Engineer

Lead RF PCB Layout Engineer

Array Labs

Redwood City, CA

$160K - $200K/yr

Full-time

Posted 16 days ago


Job description

Array Labs builds advanced radar systems to help humanity understand and respond to changes across the physical world. 
 
We're launching a coordinated fleet of radar satellites to create a high-resolution 3D map of the Earth - updated in real time - enabling faster, smarter decision-making for government and commercial organizations supporting disaster response, infrastructure resilience, and mission-critical geopolitical intelligence.
 
We design and build our satellites end-to-end, producing the world's most advanced earth observation satellites. Our fleet will deliver unprecedented levels of accuracy, coverage, and responsiveness to power critical insights precisely where they're needed most.
 
About the job
As a Lead RF PCB Layout Engineer, you will own the physical implementation of Array's RF and microwave electronics in Altium, translating schematics and performance requirements into layouts that work on the first spin. Your work will include component placement, controlled-impedance routing, stack-up definition, grounding and shielding strategy, connector and launch design, and isolation of sensitive RF and mixed-signal domains. 
 
You will partner closely with RF design, electrical, antenna, mixed-signal, mechanical, and test engineers to drive layout constraints, reviews, and manufacturing releases. The boards you ship will directly determine RF performance, stability, spurious behavior, and overall sensor reliability in the lab and on orbit.
 
Responsibilities:
  • Own RF PCB layout from initial placement through manufacturing release in Altium Designer
  • Define and implement stack-ups, controlled-impedance routing, and RF grounding, shielding, and isolation strategies
  • Translate schematic intent into layouts that meet RF performance requirements, including connector launches, transitions, filtering, and protection circuitry placement
  • Partner with RF design, electrical, antenna, mixed-signal, mechanical, and test engineers to develop layout constraints, run reviews, and de-risk first-pass success
  • Drive DFM/DFT considerations with fabrication and assembly partners, including documentation and release artifacts
Basic Qualifications:
  • B.S. in Electrical Engineering, or a related field with 8+ years of relevant experience
  • Experience in PCB layout, fabrication, and release of RF and/or high-performance electronics
  • Excellent teamwork and communication skills
  • Learns new concepts rapidly, completely, and in a self-directed manner
  • High levels of self-motivation and personal accountability
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment under significant time constraints
Preferred Skills and Experience:
  • Experience designing RF and microwave PCB layouts including controlled-impedance routing, launches and transitions, grounding, shielding, and isolation
  • Comfort with Altium Designer for constraint-driven layout and clean manufacturing outputs; experience with Allegro and/or OrCAD is a plus
  • Experience developing PCB stack-ups and layout constraints for high-frequency, high-performance electronics
  • A strong intuition for layout-driven RF behavior, including coupling, return paths, leakage, spurious paths, and stability risks
  • Experience working closely with RF design engineers to translate schematic intent into layouts that work on the first spin
  • Experience with manufacturing release, DFM/DFT considerations, and collaborating with fabrication and assembly partners
  • Experience supporting lab bring-up and RF characterization alongside design and test engineers (e.g., helping troubleshoot issues seen on VNAs, spectrum analyzers, and in system testing)
  • Experience with EM and RF analysis workflows for layout validation (e.g., HFSS, CST, ADS Momentum) is a plus
  • Experience taking RF hardware from prototype through qualification and environmental testing
ITAR Requirements
  • To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State
Equal Opportunity Employer
  • Array Labs is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made on the basis of merit, competence, and job qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by gender, color, race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, age, gender identity, veteran status, disability status, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status
$160,000 - $200,000 a year
Interview Process
We will conduct interviews via Google Meet; the typical process takes around 2-4 weeks to complete from start to finish.
 
Hiring and Compensation Strategy
Our hiring and compensation strategy is simple:
 
1) find uncommonly good people 
2) pay them uncommonly well  
 
You can anticipate competitive pay, with high flexibility between salary and equity-based compensation.
 
Why Join Array Labs?
Array Labs is launching a constellation of satellites to create the first high-resolution, real-time, three-dimensional model of Earth. Our next-generation satellite technology will offer image quality 60x greater than traditional techniques, profoundly expanding humanity's ability to understand and respond to events on a global scale.
 
In forging an affordable, accessible, accurate representation of Earth, our work has the potential to transform the face of dozens of fields, including autonomy, telecommunications, disaster relief, gaming, climate science, defense and construction.
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