PCB Design Engineer

Frontgrade Technologies; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

401(k) match

9x80 compressed work schedule

Tuition reimbursement

Generous PTO and holidays

Paid family leave

Job summary

Frontgrade Technologies in Huntsville, AL seeks a Principal PCB Design Engineer to design, optimize, and maintain complex PCB layouts. You will collaborate with hardware and mechanical engineers to ensure performance, reliability, manufacturability, and compliance.

Responsibilities include creating symbols and footprints, establishing vendor guidelines, and delivering fabrication drawings and Gerber files. You will drive DFM, signal integrity, and IPC/JEDEC standards while mentoring others.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in electrical engineering or related field; bachelor preferred.
• 10–15 years of PCB design experience.
• IPC, CID, REACH certifications are preferred.
• Proficiency in PCB design software, schematic capture and DFM.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop PCB symbols, footprints, layouts and prototypes.
• Create schematic symbols and component footprints for PCB integration.
• Establish and maintain PCB guidelines meeting vendor standards.
• Prepare fabrication drawings, Gerber files, BOMs and revisions.
• Collaborate with hardware, mechanical and manufacturing teams.
• Ensure designs meet IPC, JEDEC, EMC, UL, CE and other standards.
• Review and update designs for performance, cost and manufacturability.

Skills

Schematic capture

High-speed design

Signal integrity analysis

DFM

PCB design

Education

Associate's degree in electrical engineering or related field

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

Altium Designer

Siemens Expedition

Job description

A Principal PCB Design Engineer is responsible for creating, optimizing, and maintaining printed circuit board (PCB) layouts that form the backbone of electronic devices. They work closely with hardware and mechanical engineers to ensure designs meet performance, reliability, manufacturability, and compliance requirements. The Principal PCB Design Engineer establishes library rules for electrical components used in circuit card designs. The Principal PCB Design Engineer maintains a strong working relationship with outside Printed Circuit Board vendors to establish standard PCB guidelines that meet industry standards.

Responsibilities

• Design & Development: Create PCB symbols, footprints, pad stacks, layouts and prototypes to meet project specifications, using CAD tools such as Altium Designer, or Siemens Expedition
• Schematic & Footprint Creation: Develop schematic symbols and component footprints for accurate PCB integration.
• Establish PCB Guidelines: Establish and maintain PCB guidelines for company. Ensure PCB designs meet industry and approved vendor standards.
• Documentation: Prepare fabrication and assembly drawings, Gerber files, BOMs, and revision-controlled design documents
• Collaboration: Work with cross-functional teams (hardware, mechanical, manufacturing) to align PCB design with product goals
• Compliance & Standards: Ensure designs meet IPC, JEDEC, EMC, UL, CE, and other relevant standards
• Maintenance & Upgrades: Review and update designs for improved performance, cost efficiency, or manufacturability

Qualifications

• Education: Associate's degree and relevant experience in electrical engineering, electronics, computer engineering, or related field; bachelor's degree would be preferred but is not required
• Experience: Minimum 10–15 years in PCB design
• Certifications: IPC, CID, REACH, or other relevant industry certifications are often preferred
• Skills: Proficiency in PCB design software, schematic capture, high-speed design, signal integrity analysis, and DFM (Design for Manufacturability)

Preferred Skills

• Strong problem-solving and attention to detail
• Knowledge of PCB materials, manufacturing processes, and thermal management
• Experience with high-density interconnect (HDI) and high-power designs
• Ability to manage budgets, schedules, and dependencies

Additional Information

This position may require access to technology, materials, software or hardware that is controlled by either ITAR or EAR U.S. export laws. As a condition of any job offer, in order to be employed in this position, you may need to obtain a U.S. Government export license(s), as required by law.

Other Benefits Include

• Immediate Medical (FSA and HSA), Dental, and Vision
• 401K Match with 100% immediate vesting
• 9X80 compressed work schedule for qualifying roles
• Career Opportunity and Growth
• Tuition Reimbursement/Student Loan Repayment
• Generous PTO and 11 paid Holidays per year (9 designated holidays and 2 floating holidays)
• 8 weeks of 100% Paid Family Leave