What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lead, ECAD Designer Technician (Remote) position at Iowa State University Research Park?
Location: Des Moines, IA | Remote
Job Description
At RTX, the world's largest aerospace and defense company, 185,000 great minds are united by purpose and inspired to make a difference solving the world’s most complex problems. With our three market leading businesses, world-class operations and investments in research and development, we offer capabilities and opportunity no one else can. Together, we push the boundaries of known science and find new ways to connect and protect our world.
Collins Aerospace is a leader in technologically advanced, intelligent solutions that help redefine the aerospace and defense industry. With a comprehensive portfolio and deep technical expertise, we help customers meet the demands of the global market. Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense.
The ECAD Designer is an experienced technical contributor responsible for completing medium‑to‑complex PCB layout tasks, generating ECAD documentation, and supporting the quality of design data within the ECAD team. This role applies advanced ECAD skills with solid knowledge of standards, proper documentation practices, and effective workflows.
The designer leads the quality of their own work, provides coaching to junior designers, and performs limited checking of peer designs. While not responsible for complex system‑level ECAD decisions, contributes to team scalability, supports training, and influences documentation accuracy and consistency across the group.
This role requires proficiency in Xpedition layout, DxDesigner, and Blueprint documentation tools, along with a strong grasp of ECAD and IPC design standards.
What You Will Do
Hands-On ECAD Layout & Documentation
Job Description
At RTX, the world's largest aerospace and defense company, 185,000 great minds are united by purpose and inspired to make a difference solving the world’s most complex problems. With our three market leading businesses, world-class operations and investments in research and development, we offer capabilities and opportunity no one else can. Together, we push the boundaries of known science and find new ways to connect and protect our world.
Collins Aerospace is a leader in technologically advanced, intelligent solutions that help redefine the aerospace and defense industry. With a comprehensive portfolio and deep technical expertise, we help customers meet the demands of the global market. Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense.
The ECAD Designer is an experienced technical contributor responsible for completing medium‑to‑complex PCB layout tasks, generating ECAD documentation, and supporting the quality of design data within the ECAD team. This role applies advanced ECAD skills with solid knowledge of standards, proper documentation practices, and effective workflows.
The designer leads the quality of their own work, provides coaching to junior designers, and performs limited checking of peer designs. While not responsible for complex system‑level ECAD decisions, contributes to team scalability, supports training, and influences documentation accuracy and consistency across the group.
This role requires proficiency in Xpedition layout, DxDesigner, and Blueprint documentation tools, along with a strong grasp of ECAD and IPC design standards.
What You Will Do
Hands-On ECAD Layout & Documentation
- Perform ECAD layout for medium‑complexity PCB designs including multilayer boards, controlled routing, and structured component placement
- Produce fabrication and assembly documentation using Blueprint, DxDesigner outputs, and standard release processes
- Build, modify, and maintain schematic symbols and footprints with oversight from senior designers
- Ensure proper documentation quality, data integrity, and compliance with ECAD standards
- Lead the accuracy and completeness of all assigned ECAD design work
- Perform light checking or peer reviews for junior‑level designers’ layouts and documentation
- Identify errors, omissions, and manufacturability concerns in early design stages
- Participate in cross-functional discussions with design engineering, manufacturing, and quality to clarify requirements or resolve smaller design issues
- Communicate effectively with engineers and internal customers to ensure design intent and documentation accuracy
- Coach junior-level designers on tool usage, documentation practices, and workflow basics
- Promote good design habits, clean data, and standard process adoption within the team
- Support team training and onboarding activities by sharing techniques and examples
- Apply semi‑advanced skills in Xpedition layout, DxDesigner schematic capture, Blueprint documentation, and standard ECAD workflows
- Adapt new techniques and tools as needed to improve layout efficiency or documentation consistency
- Support continuous improvement activities related to ECAD documentation and library usage
- Typically requires an AA/AS degree (or other 2-year post high school training) with a minimum of 8 years relevant experience
- Experience generating fabrication and assembly documentation in Blueprint
- Familiarity with multilayer PCB design concepts, routing structures, component placement strategies, and basic signal integrity considerations
- Solid understanding of IPC‑based design and acceptance standards
- Demonstrated ability to produce accurate, complete, and well‑structured ECAD documentation
- Experience performing light checking or assisting senior team members with design reviews
- Strong proficiency in Mentor Graphics Xpedition and ECAD/PCB design experience
- Effective coaching skills for junior designers, including workflow guidance and standards interpretation
- Ability to represent ECAD quality in cross‑functional discussions
- Exposure to PCB fabrication and assembly processes, DFM/DFA considerations, and release workflows
- Experience working within established ECAD standards, symbol/footprint libraries, and data management systems