About this role
Job Title: PCB DesignerJob DescriptionThe PCB Designer provides technical leadership in the development of practical and innovative printed circuit board (PCB) design solutions for complex products and components. This role focuses on creating detailed schematics, PCB layouts, and manufacturing documentation using specialized CAD tools, while ensuring designs meet established standards, specifications, and manufacturability requirements. The PCB Designer collaborates closely with engineering staff, supports multiple product lines, and may oversee PCB design activities for specific projects or programs. 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 (PCAD 8.5 optional). • Provide leadership in defining and implementing practicable and innovative PCB design solutions for assigned complex products and product components. • Collaborate closely with electrical engineers and other engineering staff to define PCB design concepts, review progress, and refine design details throughout the full design cycle. • Validate PCB designs for conformity to design standards, specifications, and applicable industry guidelines, and identify design errors, deficiencies, and potential improvements. • Recommend and implement design changes to improve performance, reliability, manufacturability (DFM), and testability (DFT). • Perform engineering computations and use computer-aided design (CAD) software to create, adjust, and update drawings and specifications as design requirements evolve. • Provide complete documentation including schematics, PCB layouts, manufacturing release files, and supporting design notes, while clearly identifying and tracking design issues. • Archive engineering data files in accordance with company configuration control procedures to ensure proper version control and traceability. • Interact with PCB vendors to coordinate the manufacturing of PC boards and electronic assemblies, ensuring that released data is accurate and complete. • Build and maintain schematic symbols and physical parts libraries to support efficient and consistent design practices. • Execute component placement and board routing to meet electrical, mechanical, and manufacturing requirements. • Incorporate DFM and DFT considerations into PCB designs to facilitate efficient production and effective testing. • Manage and document design changes throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring alignment with engineering requirements and configuration control processes. • Work directly with electrical engineers throughout the design cycle, from concept through manufacturing release, to ensure design intent is fully realized. • May provide direction, guidance, and support to less experienced PCB designers and support staff within the CAD group. • Remain current in CAD techniques, ANSI Y4.15 drawing principles, IPC standards or equivalent, and relevant specialty design software and associated applications. • Observe all applicable laws, regulations, and organizational obligations whenever and wherever business is conducted on behalf of the company. • Work in a safe manner at all times, following established operating procedures and safety practices. • Perform additional functions and other duties as assigned in support of PCB design and related engineering activities. Essential Skills • 5+ years of professional PCB design experience. • Strong proficiency with PADS Logic for schematic capture. • Strong proficiency with PADS Layout for PCB layout and design. • Hands-on experience with PCB design tools such as Mentor Graphics PADS, PCAD (optional), and related CAD software. • Demonstrated expertise in schematic design and schematic capture. • Proven ability in PCB layout, including component placement and board routing. • Experience building schematic symbols and physical parts libraries. • Ability to manage and implement design changes throughout the design cycle. • Knowledge of Design for Manufacturing (DFM) considerations and how to apply them to PCB designs. • Knowledge of Design for Test (DFT) considerations and how to incorporate them into PCB designs. • Experience generating manufacturing release files and documentation for PCB fabrication and assembly. • Proven experience working directly with electrical engineers throughout the PCB design cycle. • Ability to validate designs against standards and specifications and identify design errors and deficiencies. • Competence in performing engineering computations related to PCB design using CAD tools. Additional Skills & Qualifications • Familiarity with ANSI Y4.15 drawing principles or equivalent drafting standards. • Knowledge of IPC standards or equivalent PCB and electronic assembly standards. • Experience with additional PCB design tools such as Altium and OrCAD is beneficial. • Experience supporting complex electronic systems such as UAVs, test equipment, or similar high-reliability platforms. • Ability to coordinate with PCB vendors and manufacturing partners to support production. • Strong documentation skills, including the ability to create clear schematics, layouts, and release files. • Ability to work collaboratively within a CAD and PCB design group, sharing best practices and supporting team objectives. • Commitment to staying current with evolving CAD techniques and specialty design software. Work EnvironmentThis role is part of an Electrical Engineering CAD group responsible for schematic capture, printed circuit board design, and the creation of manufacturing files for PC boards. The team supports multiple unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) product lines built for military and other government customers, associated test equipment, and new platform and product development initiatives. The PCB Designer works alongside other PCB designers and partners closely with electrical engineers throughout the design process in a collaborative, project-focused environment. The position follows a 9/80 work schedule: 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 safety procedures, compliance with applicable regulations, and the use of modern CAD tools and configuration control practices. Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Poway, CA. Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $49.00 - $79.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.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) Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Poway, CA. Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Oct 28, 2026. Workplace TypeThis is a fully onsite position in Poway,CA.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 [email protected] 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.