Pcb Design Engineer

Actalent; Illinois; On-site; USD 83,000 - 124,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent in Illinois seeks a PCB Design Engineer (Contract) to focus on aerospace-grade PCB layouts and layout-focused design for new product development. The 6-month role runs 40 hours per week onsite in Niles, IL with potential hybrid later.

You will mainly perform 6-10 layer layouts using Mentor Expedition, Cadence Allegro, and PADS, ensuring stack-up, routing, HDI techniques, and high-power considerations meet stringent performance and reliability requirements.

Qualifications

• 1-2 years of hands-on Mentor Expedition PCB layout experience.
• 5+ years of PCB design experience preferred, strong track record required.
• Proficient in multilayer (6-10 layer) PCB layouts.
• Experience with HDI PCB technologies and high-power designs.
• Awareness of component libraries and manufacturability concerns.
• Ability to manage multiple projects with tight timelines.

Responsibilities

• Perform detailed PCB layout for new product development with ~85% layout focus.
• Use Mentor Expedition as primary tool; leverage Allegro or PADS as needed.
• Design 6-10 layer boards with proper stack-up, routing, and reliability.
• Incorporate HDI techniques and high-power design considerations.
• Collaborate with engineering to translate schematics into robust layouts.
• Ensure manufacturability, proper placement, and adherence to constraints.
• Support multiple concurrent projects and participate in design reviews.
• Adapt to changing workloads and maintain high-quality outputs.

Skills

Mentor Expedition

Cadence Allegro

PADS

Multilayer PCB design

HDI technology

High-power design

Attention to detail

On-site work

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred but not required

Tools

Mentor Expedition

Cadence Allegro

PADS

Job description

Job Description

Job Title: PCB Design Engineer (Contract)

This contract role offers an experienced PCB Design Engineer the opportunity to work on cutting-edge aerospace technology, focusing primarily on PCB layout for new product development. The position runs for an initial 6-month term at 40 hours per week, with no overtime expected, and is ideal for a professional who can support multiple projects and adapt to evolving design requirements in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Perform detailed PCB layout activities for new product development, with approximately 85% of the role focused on layout and the remainder on broader design tasks.
• Use Mentor Expedition as the primary PCB design tool, applying at least 1-2 years of hands-on experience to create high-quality, manufacturable layouts.
• Leverage Cadence Allegro or PADS tools when appropriate to support existing and new PCB design workflows.
• Design and lay out 6-10 layer printed circuit boards, ensuring proper stack-up, routing, and adherence to performance and reliability requirements.
• Incorporate HDI (High-Density Interconnect) techniques and high-power design considerations into PCB layouts where applicable.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to translate schematic designs and requirements into robust PCB layouts for aerospace applications.
• Ensure proper placement and routing of components to meet electrical, mechanical, thermal, and manufacturability constraints.
• Maintain general awareness of component libraries and apply standard library elements in PCB designs, escalating specialized library needs when necessary.
• Support multiple concurrent projects, managing priorities and deadlines within a full-time 40-hour workweek.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of PCB design practices and support design reviews by explaining layout decisions and trade-offs.
• Adapt to changing project demands and workload, delivering high-quality work even when long-term project volume may fluctuate.

Essential Skills

• At least 1-2 years of hands-on experience using Mentor Expedition for PCB layout.
• Approximately 5 or more years of PCB design experience preferred, with flexibility on total years for candidates who can demonstrate a strong track record.
• Proficiency in PCB layout for multilayer boards, particularly 6-10 layer designs.
• Experience with Cadence Allegro or PADS PCB design tools.
• Practical experience in PCB layout and design for new product development environments.
• Familiarity with HDI (High-Density Interconnect) PCB technologies.
• Experience with high-power PCB design considerations.
• General awareness of component libraries and their use in PCB layout workflows.
• Ability to support multiple projects simultaneously and deliver within established timelines.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to produce manufacturable, reliable PCB layouts.
• Willingness to work onsite with openness to a potential hybrid schedule in the future.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Ideal overall experience level of approximately 5-15 years in PCB design and layout.
• Bachelor's degree (BS) in a relevant field is preferred but not required.
• Experience working with cutting-edge technologies, particularly within aerospace or similarly demanding industries.
• Awareness of HDI technologies, even if not deeply specialized, is considered beneficial.
• Comfort working in environments where workload may fluctuate and long-term project volume is not guaranteed.
• Ability to perform effectively in a role that is heavily weighted toward layout rather than full schematic-level design.

Work Environment

This is a 6-month contract position based onsite in Niles, with a standard schedule of 40 hours per week and no overtime expected. The role primarily supports new product development efforts within an aerospace-focused environment that leverages cutting-edge technology. You will work closely with engineering teams using tools such as Mentor Expedition, Cadence Allegro, and PADS to deliver complex 6-10 layer PCB layouts, including HDI and high-power designs. The work environment emphasizes technical excellence, collaboration, and adherence to rigorous performance and reliability standards, while offering a stable weekly schedule and potential flexibility for a hybrid arrangement over time.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Niles, IL.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $60.00 - $90.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classifica