PCB Designer - Allegro

This role focuses on PCB layout design for advanced spacecraft subsystems supporting a satellite constellation program. The Senior PCB Designer will own complex PCB designs from concept through production, applying deep expertise in high‑speed and high‑current layouts, design for manufacturability, and reliability in demanding environments. You will collaborate closely with cross‑functional engineering teams to ensure that PCB designs meet performance, reliability, and manufacturability requirements while supporting multiple projects in parallel.

• Participate in the definition, design, and implementation of multiple spacecraft subsystems, with a focus on PCB layout and design.
• Own the end‑to‑end PCB layout process, from initial concept and schematic input through final fabrication and assembly documentation.
• Create and optimize PCB layouts using industry‑standard PCB design suites, with a primary focus on Cadence Allegro and Mentor Graphics/Xpedition tools.
• Design high‑speed digital and high‑current density circuits, ensuring robust signal integrity, power integrity, and compliance with electrical design rules.
• Collaborate with electrical engineers on schematic capture, netlist generation, and integration of design constraints into PCB layouts.
• Apply design for manufacturing (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA) principles to ensure PCB manufacturability and reliability, including boards intended for deployment in space environments when applicable.
• Participate actively in schematic and design reviews, providing feedback on layout feasibility, routing strategies, stack‑up, and reliability considerations.
• Manage multiple PCB design projects in parallel, prioritizing tasks and delivering high‑quality layouts within agreed timelines.
• Coordinate and oversee 3rd‑party layout services, including providing clear design requirements, reviewing deliverables, and ensuring adherence to standards.
• Support testing and debugging of boards using standard electronics lab equipment, working closely with test and hardware engineers to resolve issues.
• Contribute to the development of PCB designs that meet IPC Class 2 and Class 3 requirements where applicable.
• Identify and mitigate potential PCB failure modes, particularly in extreme or harsh environments, and incorporate reliability best practices into designs.
• Serve as a technical lead for small teams of PCB design engineers when required, providing guidance, mentoring, and technical direction.
• Work collaboratively with cross‑functional technical teams, including hardware, systems, and manufacturing engineers, to align PCB designs with overall system requirements.
• Leverage advanced analysis tools, such as HyperLynx, to perform or support electrical design rule checking, signal integrity, power integrity, and electromagnetic modeling when needed.

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent experience.
• 7 years of experience in PCB layout design using industry‑standard PCB design suites.
• Recent, hands‑on experience using Cadence Allegro for PCB layout.
• Proficiency in PCB design and PCB layout for complex electronic systems.
• Experience with high‑speed circuits, with at least 5 years working on high‑speed digital designs.
• Experience designing high current density PCBs and managing associated thermal and reliability considerations.
• Experience with schematic capture and integration of schematics into PCB layout workflows.
• Ability to manage multiple PCB design projects in parallel and deliver on schedule.
• Experience managing and coordinating 3rd‑party PCB layout services, including reviewing and validating their work.
• Experience testing and debugging boards using standard electronics lab equipment, such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and power supplies.
• Strong understanding of signal integrity and power integrity concepts as applied to PCB design.
• Proficiency with Mentor Graphics/Xpedition or similar PCB layout tools.
• Solid knowledge of electrical design principles as they relate to PCB layout, routing, and stack‑up definition.
• Ability to participate effectively in schematic and design reviews and communicate design decisions clearly.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with cross‑functional technical teams.

• 10 years of experience in PCB layout design using industry‑standard PCB design suites.
• Experience developing and designing PCBs for deployment in space environments, including consideration of radiation, thermal extremes, and vacuum conditions.
• Knowledge of PCB failure modes and reliability in extreme environments and the ability to incorporate mitigation strategies into designs.
• Experience serving as a technical lead for small teams of PCB design engineers, providing technical direction and mentoring.
• Experience developing PCB designs that meet IPC Class 2 and Class 3 standards.
• Familiarity with HyperLynx or similar analysis tools for electrical design rule checking (DRC/ERC), signal integrity (SI), power integrity (PI), and 2D/2.5D/3D electromagnetic (EM) modeling.
• Understanding of Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) as it relates to precision metal processes in support of electronic or mechanical components.
• Experience with high‑speed digital design practices, including controlled impedance routing, differential pair design, and timing considerations.
• Exposure to or experience with power integrity analysis and optimization in complex PCB designs.
• Strong problem‑solving skills and attention to detail in reviewing and validating PCB layouts and fabrication outputs.

This role offers a remote work environment, allowing you to contribute to advanced PCB and spacecraft subsystem design from a home or remote office setting. You will work closely with distributed cross‑functional engineering teams using modern collaboration tools to coordinate design reviews, project updates, and technical discussions. The position involves regular use of industry‑standard PCB design software such as Cadence Allegro and Mentor Graphics/Xpedition, as well as analysis tools like HyperLynx when applicable. When supporting test and debug activities, you will interface with standard electronics lab equipment through collaboration with on‑site teams. The work focuses on high‑reliability, high‑performance electronic systems for demanding applications, offering a technically challenging and engaging environment with opportunities to influence complex system designs.

This is a Contract position based out of Redmond, WA.

The pay range for this position is $60.00 - $80.00/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 remote position.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 10, 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.

Salary : $60 - $80