Lead PCB Design Architect for Space Systems

ViaSat Inc.; Englewood (CO); On-site; USD 135,000 - 214,000; Full time

Job summary

Viasat is seeking a Principal PCB Designer to provide senior technical leadership for complex PCB layouts in space infrastructure. You will guide design quality, execution strategy, and team performance while supporting flight hardware, ground systems, and test equipment boards.

You will use Mentor Graphics Xpedition and CES, follow IPC standards, and collaborate with fabrication partners to optimize manufacturability.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or equivalent in electronics engineering technology or related field.
• 10+ years of professional PCB layout experience with ownership of highly complex designs.
• Expert understanding of signal integrity, power integrity, EMI and EMC, high-speed digital, RF, and power electronics layout.
• 5+ years of direct experience using Mentor Xpedition and CES.
• Management experience leading a technical team.
• Schematic capture experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading technical reviews and influencing cross-functional engineering teams.
• Strong experience producing and reviewing complete fabrication and assembly release packages.
• Ability to operate independently as a technical authority and define solutions to complex problems.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated examples of reducing cost, complexity, or improving manufacturability of PCBs.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior level PCB design leadership across multiple programs and product lines.
• Scheduling and prioritizing work for direct reports and making task assignments.
• Produce PCB layouts utilizing Mentor Graphics Xpedition.
• Lead PCB layout for complex designs including multilayer, high speed, RF, and power dense boards.
• Define placement strategies, routing architecture, constraint sets, and layer stackups.
• Own PCB layout execution from architectural studies through fabrication and release.
• Input on signal integrity, power integrity, EMI/EMC risk mitigation and layout tradeoffs.
• Escalation point for complex layout challenges and yield concerns.
• Lead design reviews across programs and improve workflows.
• Mentor junior and senior PCB designers through guidance and coaching.
• Support prototype build, debug, and iteration with hardware and test teams.
• Drive low-cost design approaches and practices.

Skills

PCB design leadership

Mentor Xpedition/CES

Signal integrity

Power integrity

Team leadership

Schematic capture

Documentation & reviews

Communication skills

Education

Associate Bachelor's degree in Electronics Engineering Technology or equivalent

Tools

Mentor Graphics Xpedition

DFx guidelines knowledge

Job description

Viasat is seeking a Principal PCB Designer to provide senior technical leadership for complex PCB layouts in space infrastructure. You will guide design quality, execution strategy, and team performance while supporting flight hardware, ground systems, and test equipment boards.

You will use Mentor Graphics Xpedition and CES, follow IPC standards, and collaborate with fabrication partners to optimize manufacturability.