PCB Layout Engineer, Senior
Design and release complex avionics PCBs for hypersonic missile systems using Altium, ensuring IPC Class 3 compliance and close collaboration with cross-functional engineering teams.
- Compensation
- Not disclosed
- Location
- Torrance, California, United States
- Work setup
- Not specified
- Seniority
- Senior
- Employment
- Full time
- Experience
- 8+ years
- Category
- Hardware
- Posted
Skills
Must have
- 5 – 8+ years of experience in PCB layout and electronics hardware development.
- Strong proficiency with Altium (preferred) or equivalent professional PCB layout tools.
- Experience using mechanical CAD tools such as NX or SolidWorks for ECAD–MCAD coordination.
- Proven experience taking complex PCBs from concept through production release.
- Experience designing high-density, multi-layer PCBs (typically 10–20+ layers).
- Solid understanding of signal integrity, power distribution, grounding, EMI/EMC, and thermal considerations.
- Experience designing to IPC Class 3 / 3A requirements.
- Knowledge of PCB fabrication processes, materials, stack-ups, and manufacturing constraints.
- Experience working directly with PCB fabrication and assembly vendors.
- Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and ownership mindset.
- Ability to operate effectively in highly cross-functional engineering teams.
Nice to have
- Experience in aerospace, missile systems, spaceflight, defense, or other high-reliability hardware environments.
- Hands-on experience with boards containing:
- Familiarity with signal and power integrity tools (e.g., SiWave, HFSS, ADS, CST).
- Experience supporting EMI/EMC mitigation through layout techniques.
- Familiarity with relevant industry standards (e.g., MIL-STD, DO-254).
- Experience supporting hardware through environmental testing and qualification.
- Ability to mentor junior engineers and elevate team layout quality.
Full description
About Castelion
Castelion is redefining defense development through rapid iteration, aggressive testing, and modern commercial manufacturing at scale. We design, build, and test next-generation long-range strike weapon systems to give the United States and its Allies a decisive advantage and deter future conflicts.
Position Overview
As a PCB Layout Engineer, you will independently own the layout and release of complex avionics printed circuit boards for hypersonic missile systems. You will partner closely with electrical, mechanical, systems, and manufacturing engineers to deliver flight-worthy hardware on aggressive schedules.
This role requires strong technical judgment, the ability to drive layout decisions across analog, digital, RF, and power domains, and comfort leading fabrication and assembly partners through DFM and production readiness. You will be expected to execute with minimal oversight while contributing to continuous improvement of Castelion's PCB design standards and processes.
Responsibilities
- Own PCB layout from initial placement through fabrication and assembly release for complex avionics hardware.
- Translate schematic intent and system requirements into robust, manufacturable PCB layouts.
- Drive component placement, stack-up definition, routing strategy, and constraint management across analog, digital, RF, and power domains.
- Lead PCB DFM/DFA reviews with fabrication and assembly vendors; close manufacturing issues through release.
- Develop and maintain PCB fabrication and assembly packages (Gerber/ODB++, BOMs, drawings).
- Interface directly with board houses to select materials, stack-ups, impedance targets, and DFX rules.
- Ensure designs meet IPC Class 3/3A and Castelion internal design standards.
- Maintain and expand the PCB component library; contribute to company-wide layout standards and best practices.
- Support signal integrity, power integrity, and EMI-focused layout trade studies.
- Collaborate with electrical, mechanical, systems, and software engineers through integration, test, and qualification.
- Support rapid iteration cycles and hardware re-spins in a fast-paced development environment.
- Provide technical guidance to junior PCB designers and review peer layouts.
- Communicate clearly across disciplines and sites to keep hardware on schedule.
Basic Qualifications
- 5 – 8+ years of experience in PCB layout and electronics hardware development.
- Strong proficiency with Altium (preferred) or equivalent professional PCB layout tools.