PCB Design Engineer

Physics World; Lake Forest (CA); On-site; USD 115,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401K with company match

Paid vacation + sick time

Equity options

Job summary

TAE Technologies in Southern California is seeking a skilled PCB Designer to support the development of custom electronic boards and devices. This role is responsible for PCB design, documentation, prototype bring-up, and validation of completed hardware.

The ideal candidate combines strong layout and schematic skills with hands-on lab experience and a solid understanding of manufacturable electronic design.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field required.
• 4+ years of PCB design and electronic hardware development experience.
• Strong proficiency with Altium Designer for schematic capture, layout, and manufacturing packages.

Responsibilities

• Design custom printed circuit boards and electronic assemblies.
• Create and maintain schematic symbols, PCB footprints, board layouts, and routing in Altium Designer.
• Prepare complete manufacturing documentation: schematics, assembly drawings, BOMs, Gerber files.
• Support circuit design for analog and digital electronics, including various circuit blocks.
• Simulate circuits using LTspice, Micro-Cap, or Simulink.
• Build, inspect, and troubleshoot prototype boards and test units as needed.
• Verify and validate designed PCBs and devices using lab equipment.

Skills

PCB design

Schematic capture

Analog & digital circuit design

Multilayer PCB design

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

Altium Designer

LTspice

Oscilloscope

Job description

Job Details

Do Epic Science TAE is the world's first private fusion energy company, founded in 1998 to commercialize the cleanest, safest, most affordable, and sustainable form of carbon-free power. We are applying science and engineering to design transformational technologies. Whether it's harnessing fusion through the science of stars, making exponential leaps in power efficiency, or innovating medical care with a novel cancer treatment: We're turning the promise of science into reality.

We're looking for candidates who are passionate about realizing our mission: A future where all people have affordable access to reliable, abundant, and environmentally friendly fusion-generated electricity.

TAE Technologies is seeking a skilled PCB Designer to support the development of custom electronic boards and devices. This role is responsible for PCB design, documentation, prototype bring-up, and validation of completed hardware. The ideal candidate combines strong layout and schematic skills with hands‑on lab experience and a solid understanding of manufacturable electronic design.

About The Role

• Design custom printed circuit boards and electronic assemblies.
• Create and maintain schematic symbols, PCB footprints, board layouts, and routing in Altium Designer.
• Perform component placement and multilayer PCB layout for boards ranging from 2 to 6 layers.
• Prepare complete manufacturing documentation packages, including schematics, assembly drawings, bills of materials, Gerber files, and output packages.
• Support circuit design activities for analog and digital electronics, including amplifiers, integrators, dividers, switches, drivers, power supply circuits etc.
• Simulate electrical circuits using at least one industry‑standard tool such as LTspice, Micro‑Cap, or Simulink.
• Build, inspect, and troubleshoot prototype boards and test units as needed.
• Verify and validate designed PCBs and electronic devices using lab equipment.
• Work with common and specialized electronic components and review supplier datasheets to ensure proper component selection and use.
• Perform soldering and rework of SMD components when required.

About You

• 4+ years of experience in PCB design and electronic hardware development.
• Strong proficiency with Altium Designer, including schematic capture, PCB layout, Draftsman, OutputJob, and manufacturing package generation.
• Practical knowledge of analog and digital circuit design principles.
• Experience with multilayer PCB design, component libraries, and design documentation for manufacturing.
• Hands‑on experience with test equipment such as oscilloscopes, multimeters, function generators, and power supplies.
• Ability to read, interpret, and apply component manufacturer datasheets.
• Strong ability to identify, solder, and rework surface‑mount components.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting prototype and board assembly, hardware debug.
• Familiarity with design practices that improve manufacturability, testability, and reliability.
• Experience working in a fast‑paced product development environment.

Key Competencies

• Strong problem‑solving and troubleshooting skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and documentation quality.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet project deadlines.
• Clear communication and effective collaboration with engineering and production teams.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field.

At TAE Technologies, we consider a wide range of factors when making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and job‑related knowledge, training; licenses and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements depending on the position offered (non‑Sr., Sr., Lead or Manager). The compensation range for this role is: $115,000 - $145,000

Imagination, skill, and will

We are a diverse team of over 500 engineers, scientists, professionals, Maxwell Prize winners, and big thinkers from more than 40 countries with a track record of delivering on the innovative ways science can lead humanity into a brighter era. We are not afraid to envision a future where fusion and science can transform our world.

What you’ll get with us

• Generous benefits such as Medical, Dental, Vision, 401 (K) with company match, paid vacation + sick time, companywide December holiday, wellness program, parental leave
• Payment rewards: For referring talent, novel research, and patents
• A collaborative environment: An organization where talents and interests can plug in to different groups throughout the organization
• Potential for equity participation
• HQ in Southern California
• Employee events on and off‑site
• A commitment to upholding and growing an inclusive organization

Learn more tae.com Our podcast Good Clean Energy Instagram LinkedIn

TAE Technologies is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.

We ensure all individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, perform essential job functions, and receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us [e-mail] to request accommodations or request more information.

Note to Agencies: TAE prefers to hire directly and maintains an existing preferred supplier list. We do not accept speculative CVs or referrals from agencies. If speculative CVs are sent, no fee will be applicable.