PCB Engineer

Filtronic; Sedgefield; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Cutting-edge RF tech

Collaborative engineering team

Defence/space applications exposure

Lifecycle development opportunities

Engineering excellence investment

Job summary

Filtronic, a world leader in RF and microwave technology, seeks an experienced PCB Layout Engineer for our Cambridge engineering team. You will own complex layouts from schematic to production, collaborating with RF, digital, mechanical and manufacturing engineers to deliver robust hardware.

You will optimise for performance, manufacturability and reliability, while contributing to library and standard improvements across the PCB design process.

Qualifications

• Strong PCB layout experience using Altium Designer and Altium 365.
• Experience taking PCB designs from schematic through to manufacturing release.
• Good understanding of PCB stack‑up design, controlled impedance, signal integrity, power integrity, thermal design and EMC.
• Experience working with mixed‑signal, digital, power and RF‑supporting designs.
• Ability to interpret schematics and understand engineering intent.
• Experience creating and validating component footprints and libraries.
• Knowledge of PCB fabrication, SMT assembly, DFM/DFA and manufacturing processes.
• Strong attention to detail and configuration control discipline.
• Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Responsibilities

• Own PCB layout activities across complex electronic products and subsystems.
• Translate schematic designs into high-quality PCB layouts that meet electrical, mechanical, thermal and manufacturing requirements.
• Develop layouts considering impedance control, grounding, power distribution, thermal management and EMC performance.
• Support high‑speed digital interfaces including Ethernet, DDR, LVDS, PCIe and JESD204.
• Generate complete fabrication, assembly and manufacturing documentation packages.
• Participate in design reviews, DFM/DFA assessments and engineering risk reviews.
• Verify component footprints, symbols and libraries against manufacturer datasheets.
• Support continuous improvement of Altium libraries, templates, design rules and PCB standards.
• Work with suppliers and manufacturing partners to resolve design and production challenges.
• Support prototype build, bring‑up and investigation of PCB‑related issues.

Skills

Altium Designer

Altium 365

PCB manufacturing release

PCB stack‑up

Impedance control

Signal integrity

Power integrity

Thermal design

EMC

Mixed-signal designs

RF designs

Schematic interpretation

Footprint creation

PCB fabrication

SMT assembly

DFM/DFA

Change control

Team collaboration

Tools

Altium Designer

Altium 365

Job description

Filtronic is a world leader in advanced RF and microwave technology, delivering high-performance solutions that power critical communications infrastructure across telecoms, space and defence sectors.

We are seeking an experienced PCB Layout Engineer to join our growing engineering team in Cambridge. This is an opportunity to work on complex electronic systems at the forefront of high-frequency technology, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to develop robust, manufacturable hardware from concept through to production.

The Opportunity

This is far more than a traditional PCB CAD role. We are looking for someone who combines strong PCB layout expertise with a solid understanding of electronic design principles, manufacturability and engineering best practice.

Working closely with RF, electronics, mechanical, FPGA, software and manufacturing engineers, you will take ownership of PCB layout activities across a diverse range of digital, analogue, mixed-signal, power and RF-related products.

You will play a key role in ensuring designs are optimised for performance, reliability, manufacturability and long‑term support, while also helping drive improvements in PCB design standards, libraries, processes and documentation.

Key Responsibilities

• Own PCB layout activities across complex electronic products and subsystems
• Translate schematic designs into high-quality PCB layouts that meet electrical, mechanical, thermal and manufacturing requirements
• Develop layouts considering impedance control, grounding, power distribution, thermal management and EMC performance
• Support high‑speed digital interfaces including Ethernet, DDR, LVDS, PCIe and JESD204
• Generate complete fabrication, assembly and manufacturing documentation packages
• Participate in design reviews, DFM/DFA assessments and engineering risk reviews
• Verify component footprints, symbols and libraries against manufacturer datasheets
• Support continuous improvement of Altium libraries, templates, design rules and PCB standards
• Work with suppliers and manufacturing partners to resolve design and production challenges
• Support prototype build, bring‑up and investigation of PCB‑related issues

Requirements

You will be a detail‑oriented engineer with a passion for developing high‑performance electronic hardware and delivering quality designs in a collaborative engineering environment.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Strong PCB layout experience using Altium Designer and Altium 365
• Experience taking PCB designs from schematic through to manufacturing release
• Good understanding of PCB stack‑up design, controlled impedance, signal integrity, power integrity, thermal design and EMC
• Experience working with mixed‑signal, digital, power and RF‑supporting designs
• Ability to interpret schematics and understand engineering intent
• Experience creating and validating component footprints and libraries
• Knowledge of PCB fabrication, SMT assembly, DFM/DFA and manufacturing processes
• Strong attention to detail and configuration control discipline
• Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary engineering teams

Desirable Experience

• RF, microwave or mmWave PCB design
• High‑speed digital and dense multilayer PCB technologies
• IPC standards and advanced PCB materials
• PLM systems and engineering change processes
• Mentoring or supporting development of PCB design standards and best practices

Why Join Filtronic?

• Work on cutting‑edge RF and wireless technologies
• Join a highly collaborative and innovative engineering team
• Contribute to products used in telecoms, space and defence applications
• Influence products across the full development lifecycle
• Be part of a growing business investing in engineering excellence

Benefits

• Work on cutting‑edge RF and wireless technologies
• Join a highly collaborative and innovative engineering team
• Contribute to products used in telecoms, space and defence applications
• Influence products across the full development lifecycle
• Be part of a growing business investing in engineering excellence

We recognise the value of exceptional talent. That's why this role is backed by an excellent salary and benefits package.

Filtronic plc is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or disability status. If you require any adjustments or accommodations to support you during the interview process, please let us know and we will be happy to assist.