What are the responsibilities and job description for the Electrical Engineer (PCB Design) position at Redwire Defense Tech?
WORK LOCATION: San Luis Obispo, CA
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
SALARY RANGE: The anticipated salary range for this role is $94,000.00 to $107,000.00 annually. This range reflects a good faith estimate based on the targeted level for the role and typical compensation benchmarks across U.S. locations. Actual compensation may vary depending on the selected candidate’s qualifications, experience, geographical location, and internal alignment.
SUMMARY
The PCB Design Engineer plays a critical role in the design, development, and integration of embedded electrical systems for uncrewed aircraft platforms. This role is responsible for architecting and validating flight-critical circuits, power systems, avionics interfaces, and embedded electronics that operate reliably in demanding environments. The PCB Design Engineer serves as a domain expert within the hardware team - PCB layout and design for avionics and embedded systems, schematic capture, PCB stack-up, signal integrity, and manufacturability for rugged aerospace environments and ensuring seamless integration with mechanical, software, and GNC functions.
This position is ideal for an engineer experienced in UAS or aerospace electronics who thrives in a hands-on, fast-paced environment and enjoys solving complex technical challenges involving sensors, radios, power regulation, embedded compute, and flight-critical communication buses.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The following job functions are a basic requirement but are not limited to and may be assigned other duties.
- Design and develop multi-layer PCBs for avionics, power regulation, and sensor interfaces.
- Perform schematic capture and PCB layout using Altium (or equivalent), ensuring compliance with aerospace standards.
- Optimize signal integrity, impedance control, and thermal management in PCB designs.
- Collaborate with electrical engineers to translate system requirements into PCB-level implementations.
- Support DFM/DFT reviews and coordinate with manufacturing for board builds.
- Conduct design reviews (CoDR, PDR, CDR) focused on PCB aspects.
- Assist in prototype bring-up and troubleshooting at the board level.
- Own subsystem requirements, architecture, component selection, schematic creation, and design documentation.
- Develop and review PCB designs, ensuring manufacturability, signal integrity, and environmental robustness.
- Integrate sensors, radios, autopilots, datalinks, GPS modules, payload interfaces, and embedded compute platforms (e.g., Jetson, STM32, PIC, etc.).
- Support environmental, vibration, thermal, and electrical testing, including benchtop validation, HIL/SIL testing, and flight test preparation.
- Collaborate cross-functionally across GNC, Software, Mechanical, Autonomy, Production, and Test teams to ensure seamless integration.
- Participate in design reviews (CoDR, PDR, CDR), risk assessments, and reliability evaluations.
- Diagnose and resolve complex field issues related to avionics, power, sensors, and embedded electronics.
REQURIED QUALIFICATIONS
The following are a non-exhaustive list of qualifications for the position:
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field required.
- 3–5 years of PCB design experience (Altium preferred) for aerospace, defense or UAS applications.
- Strong knowledge of high-speed digital design, power distribution, and mixed-signal PCB layouts.
- Familiarity with IPC standards, controlled impedance routing, and stack-up design.
- Experience with design rule checks (DRC) and signal integrity analysis tools.
- Demonstrated ownership of subsystem-level development (architecture → test → integration → release).
- Experience supporting flight test, field troubleshooting, or operational unmanned systems.
- High-speed routing, differential pairs, controlled impedance.
- Thermal and mechanical considerations for ruggedized boards.
- Understanding of power integrity and decoupling strategies.
- Ability to interpret system schematics and translate into PCB layouts.
- Understanding of UAS electrical architectures, autopilot interfaces, and avionics integration.
- Experience with oscilloscopes, multimeters, logic analyzers, and environmental test setups.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to troubleshoot complex electrical issues.
- Excellent cross-disciplinary communication and collaboration.
- Detail-oriented, organized, and comfortable balancing multiple priorities.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related discipline is a plus.
- Experience with rigid-flex PCB design for space-constrained UAS platforms.
- Knowledge of MIL-STD-810, DO-160 environmental requirements for PCB hardware.
- Previous involvement in flight-critical or safety-critical hardware development.
- Familiarity with RF layout practices and grounding/shielding techniques.
- Experience with FMEA, reliability analysis, or system safety documentation.
- Experience developing test fixtures, automated test rigs, or custom validation tools.
REDWIRE DEFENSE TECH BENEFITS
- Matching 401(k)
- Paid PTO
- Paid holidays
- Medical, vision, and dental insurance
- Group Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
- HSA and FSA Options
- Critical Care Plan
- Accident Care Plan
CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS
This position may require access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). To comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants will be asked to provide specific documentation to verify a US person’s status under the ITAR and the EAR.
WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The work environment may involve a standard office setting while also incorporating elements of a production area. Employees will use standard office equipment, including computers, and must demonstrate stamina to sit or stand while maintaining attention to detail despite potential interruptions. The role may require occasional activities such as walking, climbing, stooping, crouching, and bending. Vision is necessary for reading printed materials and a computer screen, while hearing and speech are essential for effective communication both in person and over the telephone. Additionally, the position may necessitate travel by air or automobile. Employees may be required to use personal protective equipment, including safety glasses, safety shoes, and shop coats, to ensure safety in the production environment. Employees may be able to lift up to 30 pounds as needed.
REDWIRE DEFENSE TECH IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Redwire Defense Tech is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact Human Resources. Continued employment remains on an “At-Will” basis.
Salary : $94,000 - $107,000