Lead PCB Designer — High-Speed RF Space Hardware

Northwood; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 79,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Northwood Space in Torrance, CA is seeking a founding PCB Designer to establish the layout discipline and drive the design of high-speed digital compute and power PCBs for global deployments.

You will collaborate with Electrical, RF, and Antenna engineers, set layout standards, mentor teammates, and partner with external vendors to ensure reliability, scalability, and cost efficiency in every board you touch.

Qualifications

• 2+ years in complex, high-density PCB layout with end-to-end ownership.
• Experience with high-speed/high-frequency designs and impedance control.
• Strong knowledge of HDI packaging and multi-layer stack-ups.

Responsibilities

• Own the physical layout of high-density PCBs with RF and power systems.
• Determine optimal layer stackups and routing under tight constraints.
• Create and maintain ECAD libraries for diverse components.
• Ensure DFM/ DFA/ DFT guidelines across hardware and production teams.
• Produce fabrication/assembly documentation (Gerbers, IPC-2581, drill charts).
• Coordinate with PCB fabrication vendors to resolve queries and improve rules.
• Evaluate and adopt advanced PCB design tools and automation scripts.
• Serve as internal authority on high-speed layout, mentoring staff.

Skills

High-speed PCB layout

HDI / fine-pitch packages

Impedance control

EMI/EMC mitigation

Autonomy in layout decisions

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

Altium Designer

Cadence Allegro

Siemens Xpedition

Job description

Northwood Space in Torrance, CA is seeking a founding PCB Designer to establish the layout discipline and drive the design of high-speed digital compute and power PCBs for global deployments.

You will collaborate with Electrical, RF, and Antenna engineers, set layout standards, mentor teammates, and partner with external vendors to ensure reliability, scalability, and cost efficiency in every board you touch.