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Job Title: PCB Designer

Job Description

The PCB Designer provides technical leadership in developing practical and innovative printed circuit board design solutions for complex products and components. This role works closely with engineering staff to translate design concepts into detailed schematics, layouts, and manufacturing documentation using specialized CAD tools. The PCB Designer validates designs against standards and specifications, identifies and resolves design issues, and supports the full design cycle from concept through manufacturing release, while maintaining compliance with applicable regulations and safe work practices.

Responsibilities

• Develop complex schematics, PCB layouts, drawings, and related structural assemblies and devices using CAD specialty engineering design software such as PADS Power PCB and PADS Power Logic.
• Provide leadership in creating practical and innovative PCB design solutions for assigned complex products and product components.
• Collaborate closely with electrical engineers and other engineering staff to refine PCB design concepts, review progress, and incorporate feedback throughout the design cycle.
• Oversee PCB design activities for assigned projects or programs, ensuring designs meet performance, manufacturability, and testability requirements.
• Validate PCB designs for conformity to design standards, specifications, and applicable industry guidelines, and identify design errors, deficiencies, or risks.
• Recommend and implement design changes to address identified issues, improve performance, and enhance manufacturability and reliability.
• Perform engineering computations and apply sound design principles while using computer-aided design (CAD) software to create and update drawings and specifications.
• Provide complete documentation including schematics, PCB layouts, and related design files, clearly identifying design issues and resolutions.
• Create and manage manufacturing release files, ensuring all required documentation and data are accurate and complete for production.
• Archive engineering data files in accordance with configuration control procedures and company standards.
• Interact with PCB vendors to coordinate the manufacturing of PC boards and electronic assemblies, addressing technical questions and resolving issues as needed.
• Work directly with electrical engineers throughout the design cycle, from initial schematic capture to final board routing and manufacturing release.
• Build and maintain schematic symbols and physical part footprints to support accurate and efficient PCB design.
• Execute component placement and board routing with consideration for signal integrity, power distribution, mechanical constraints, and design rules.
• Incorporate Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Test (DFT) considerations into PCB layouts to support efficient production and testing.
• Implement design changes and revisions in response to engineering updates, test findings, and manufacturing feedback.
• Provide guidance and direction to less experienced PCB designers and support staff when required.
• Stay current with CAD techniques, ANSI Y4.15 drawing principles, IPC standards or equivalent, and relevant specialty design software and applications.
• Observe all applicable laws, regulations, and obligations whenever and wherever business is conducted on behalf of the company.
• Work in a safe manner in accordance with established operating procedures and practices.
• Perform additional related duties as assigned.

Essential Skills

• 5+ years of professional PCB design experience.
• Strong proficiency in schematic capture for complex electronic designs.
• Hands-on experience with PADS Logic for schematic design and capture.
• Hands-on experience with PADS Layout for PCB design and layout.
• Proficiency in developing PCB layouts, including multi-layer boards and complex routing.
• Experience building schematic symbols and physical part footprints.
• Proficiency in component placement and board routing with adherence to design rules and constraints.
• Ability to implement design changes accurately and efficiently within CAD tools.
• Experience creating manufacturing release files and documentation for PCB fabrication and assembly.
• Demonstrated ability to work directly with electrical engineers throughout the design cycle.
• Working knowledge of DFM (Design for Manufacturability) and DFT (Design for Test) considerations in PCB design.
• Familiarity with ANSI Y4.15 drawing principles.
• Knowledge of IPC standards or equivalent PCB design and fabrication standards.
• Ability to perform engineering computations and apply them to PCB design using CAD software.
• Experience archiving and managing engineering data files in accordance with configuration control procedures.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with PCAD 8.5 or similar CAD tools is beneficial.
• Background in designing PCBs for complex products such as UAVs, test equipment, or similar electronic systems is advantageous.
• Ability to provide direction and informal mentorship to less experienced PCB designers and support staff.
• Strong collaboration skills for partnering closely with electrical engineers and cross-functional teams.
• Attention to detail and a methodical approach to identifying and resolving design issues.
• Commitment to staying current with evolving CAD techniques, industry standards, and specialty design software.

Work Environment

This role is part of an Electrical Engineering CAD group responsible for schematic capture, printed circuit board design, and the creation of files needed to manufacture PC boards. The team supports multiple UAV product lines built for government and defense applications, associated test equipment, and new platform and product development. The PCB Designer works alongside a group of experienced PCB designers and partners closely with electrical engineers throughout the design process in a collaborative, engineering-focused environment. The standard schedule follows a 9/80 work pattern: in Week 1, nine-hour days Monday through Thursday and eight hours on Friday; in Week 2, nine-hour days Monday through Thursday with Friday off. The environment emphasizes adherence to established operating procedures, safe work practices, and compliance with relevant regulations, while leveraging advanced CAD technologies and configuration control systems to support high-reliability electronic products.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Poway, CA.

The pay range for this position is $49.00 - $62.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Poway,CA.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 24, 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 actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com 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.