Senior PCB Layout Engineer

ViaSat Inc.; Lausanne; On-site; CHF 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Viasat is seeking a dedicated Layout Engineer to join our Lausanne Hardware team. You will own the PCB layout development cycle from concept to production release, designing high-density PCBs for next-generation satellite communication systems.

You will collaborate with electrical, RF and mechanical engineers, maintain footprints and libraries, optimize stack-ups for signal integrity, and support prototype bring-up and fabrication coordination. Based in Lausanne, this role is on-site.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electronic Engineering or a related technical field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in PCB layout design for complex electronic products.
• Strong expertise in schematic capture and PCB layout implementation.
• Experience with complex multilayer PCB designs, including dense routing, HDI technologies, blind/buried microvias, and advanced stack-ups.
• Solid understanding of analog, digital, power, and mixed-signal design requirements.
• Proficiency with PCB design tools such as Altium Designer and Siemens Xpedition/PADS.
• Experience managing PCB libraries, design rules, and layout processes.
• Knowledge of DFM, DFA, and PCB manufacturing technologies.
• Familiarity with scripting, automation, and AI-assisted engineering tools.
• Strong technical documentation and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Own the PCB layout development cycle from concept through production release.
• Design high-density, high-speed, mixed-signal, RF, and power PCBs for advanced communication systems.
• Create and maintain PCB footprints, symbols, and library components.
• Define stack-ups and routing strategies while considering signal integrity, power integrity, EMC/EMI, thermal performance, and manufacturability requirements.
• Perform constraint-driven PCB layout using industry-standard ECAD tools.
• Work closely with electrical, RF, and mechanical engineers to optimize product performance and reliability.
• Support prototype bring-up, debugging, testing, and design verification activities.
• Coordinate with PCB manufacturers and assembly suppliers to ensure successful fabrication and assembly.
• Create and maintain design documentation, manufacturing files, and engineering release packages.
• Contribute to PCB design processes, design rules, libraries, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Evaluate and leverage automation, scripting, and AI-based tools to improve design efficiency and quality.

Skills

Schematic capture

PCB layout implementation

High-density routing

HDI technologies

Documentation & communication

Education

BSc in Electronic Engineering

Tools

Altium Designer

Siemens Xpedition/PADS

Job description

About us

One team. Global challenges. Infinite opportunities. At Viasat, we’re on a mission to deliver connections with the capacity to change the world. For more than 35 years, Viasat has helped shape how consumers, businesses, governments and militaries around the globe communicate. We’re looking for people who think big, act fearlessly, and create an inclusive environment that drives positive impact to join our team.

What you’ll do

We are seeking a Layout Engineer to strengthen our Lausanne Hardware team. As a key contributor, you will join a multidisciplinary R&D organization developing next-generation satellite communication technologies. You will be responsible for the design and layout of complex printed circuit boards (PCBs), ensuring compliance with electrical, RF, signal integrity, power integrity, thermal, manufacturability, and mechanical requirements. You will collaborate closely with electrical, RF, mechanical and manufacturing engineers throughout the full product development lifecycle.

The day-to-day

In collaboration with project team members, you will:

• Own the PCB layout development cycle from concept through production release.
• Design high-density, high-speed, mixed-signal, RF, and power PCBs for advanced communication systems.
• Create and maintain PCB footprints, symbols, and library components.
• Define stack-ups and routing strategies while considering signal integrity, power integrity, EMC/EMI, thermal performance, and manufacturability requirements.
• Perform constraint-driven PCB layout using industry-standard ECAD tools.
• Work closely with electrical, RF, and mechanical engineers to optimize product performance and reliability.
• Support prototype bring-up, debugging, testing, and design verification activities.
• Coordinate with PCB manufacturers and assembly suppliers to ensure successful fabrication and assembly.
• Create and maintain design documentation, manufacturing files, and engineering release packages.
• Contribute to PCB design processes, design rules, libraries, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Evaluate and leverage automation, scripting, and AI-based tools to improve design efficiency and quality.

What you’ll need

You are a meticulous, open-minded and well-organized person, motivated to perform multiple tasks in a wide-ranging environment. You enjoy taking ownership of the agreed work and completing it autonomously. When needed, you easily ask for support from our multi-disciplinary engineering team, and collaborate with external partners. Great teammate, problem solver and hands-on engineer, you never hesitation to take the extra step for the team to succeed!

• Bachelor's degree (BSc) in Electronic Engineering or a related technical field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in PCB layout design for complex electronic products.
• Strong expertise in schematic capture and PCB layout implementation.
• Experience with complex multilayer PCB designs, including dense routing, HDI technologies, blind/buried microvias, and advanced stack-ups.
• Solid understanding of analog, digital, power, and mixed-signal design requirements.
• Proficiency with PCB design tools such as Altium Designer and Siemens Xpedition/PADS.
• Experience managing PCB libraries, design rules, and layout processes.
• Knowledge of DFM, DFA, and PCB manufacturing technologies.
• Familiarity with scripting, automation, and AI-assisted engineering tools.
• Strong technical documentation and communication skills.

What will help you on the job

• Experience with RF and microwave PCB layouts.
• Knowledge of signal integrity (SI), power integrity (PI), and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) principles.
• Experience with PCB technologies including HDI, Rigid-Flex, Flex, Rogers, FR-4, and Polyimide materials.
• Familiarity with simulation and analysis tools such as HyperLynx and LTspice.
• Experience working as a CAD administrator or CAD process owner.
• Exposure to aerospace, defense, satellite communications, or other high-reliability industries.

EEO Statement

Viasat is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, seeking to create a welcoming and diverse environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, genetics, age, or veteran status or any other applicable legally protected status or characteristic. If you would like to request an accommodation on the basis of disability for completing this on-line application, please click here.