PCB Designer

Northwood Space; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Northwood Space in the United States seeks a PCB Designer to drive the physical layout of high-speed, mixed-signal PCBs for our advanced aerospace-grade hardware. You will work with Electrical, RF, and Antenna engineers from concept through production to deliver reliable, scalable boards.

The role requires 3–5+ years in complex PCB layouts, strong impedance control, differential pairs, and HDI packaging. Proficiency with Altium, Cadence Allegro, or Xpedition and a TS clearance are highly valued.

Qualifications

• 3–5+ years of professional experience in complex, high-density PCB layout
• Proficient in high-speed layout techniques (impedance control, differential pairs, length matching)
• Experience with HDI packaging technologies, fine-pitch BGAs, and microvias
• Knowledge of multi-layer board stackups, PCB materials, and dielectric properties
• Familiarity with EMI/EMC mitigation and PDN design considerations
• Experience designing high-speed PCBs for FPGA/processor or high-performance networking systems
• Proficient use of ECAD tools (Altium, Cadence Allegro, Xpedition) and design scripting
• Strong layout tradeoff judgement in fast-paced hardware environment

Responsibilities

• Own the physical layout of complex, high-density PCBs with high-speed digital, RF, and power delivery systems
• Determine layer stackups, component placement, routing feasibility, and enforce high-speed constraints
• Create and maintain ECAD libraries for diverse components
• Ensure adherence to DFM, DFA, and DFT guidelines across hardware teams
• Generate fabrication documentation (Gerbers, IPC-2581, drill charts)
• Collaborate with PCB fabricators and vendors to resolve technical queries and refine design rules
• Use and evaluate advanced PCB design tools and automation scripts

Skills

PCB layout

high-speed design

HDI packaging

impedance control

differential pairs

EMI/EMC mitigation

routing constraints

SerDes interfaces

communication with cross-functional

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

Altium Designer

Cadence Allegro

Siemens Xpedition

Job description

Northwood is a modern space infrastructure company bringing the benefits of space to the masses through advanced communications technology. We are building a global network of phased array ground stations that enable real-time, reliable communication for satellite missions such as national security, global connectivity, and disaster response. With a vertically integrated approach, Northwood designs, builds, and rapidly deploys scalable systems that power the next generation of space missions. If you like solving complex challenges and seeing your work deployed around the world with real impact, Northwood is the place to do it.

PCB Designer (High Speed, Mixed Signal Electronics)

Northwood is looking for a PCB Designer to help drive the physical layout and development of our next-generation digital compute and power electronics. These complex boards ensure that our antennas can meet high-rate processing needs no matter where they are deployed around the world. As a PCB Designer at Northwood, you won’t just be routing traces; you will partner closely with our Electrical, RF, and Antenna engineers from concept to production, providing layout expertise to deliver hardware known for its reliability, scalability, and cost.

Responsibilities:

• Own the physical layout of complex, high-density, and high-layer-count PCBs featuring high-speed digital, RF, mixed-signal, and power distribution systems.


• Determine optimum layer stackups, perform component placement, routing feasibility studies, and manage strict high-speed constraint rules.


• Perform ECAD library creation, management, and maintenance for a wide array of active, passive, and high-pin-count components.


• Collaborate across hardware and production teams to ensure strict adherence to Design for Manufacturability (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), and Design for Test (DFT) guidelines.


• Generate and release comprehensive documentation packages for fabrication and assembly (Gerbers, ODB++, IPC-2581, drill charts, fabrication drawings).


• Work closely with external PCB fabrication and assembly vendors to resolve technical queries (EQs) and continuously improve internal design rules.


• Utilize and evaluate advanced PCB design tools, maintaining internal design standards and automation scripts.

Basic Qualifications:

• 3–5+ years of professional experience in complex, high-density PCB layout (or a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering/related field with 2+ years of experience).


• Proficient in high-speed layout techniques (impedance control, differential pairs, length matching, and crosstalk mitigation).


• Experience with advanced packaging technologies, including fine-pitch BGAs, high-pin-density components, and microvias (HDI).


• Knowledge of PCB materials, dielectric properties, and developing multi-layer board stackups.


• Familiarity with layout considerations for EMI/EMC mitigation and robust power delivery networks (PDN).

Preferred Qualifications:

• 5+ years of experience designing high-speed, mixed-signal PCBs for FPGA, processor, or high-performance networking systems.


• Deep expertise in routing high-speed interfaces such as multi-gigabit SerDes, DDR memory, JESD204B/C, and 10/100G Ethernet.


• Advanced proficiency in industry-standard ECAD tools (Altium Designer, Cadence Allegro, or Siemens Xpedition).


• Strong understanding of IPC standards (e.g., IPC-2221, IPC-7351) and commercial manufacturing tolerances.


• Experience with ECAD/MCAD co-design and integration workflows (e.g., SolidWorks, STEP files) for tight mechanical constraints.


• Experience with scripting or automation (e.g., Python, Skill, or Altium scripts) to optimize layout workflows.


• Excellent communication skills and a proven ability to make sound layout tradeoffs in a fast-paced, collaborative hardware environment.

Additional Requirements:

• This position requires successfully obtaining and maintaining a Top Secret Security Clearance as a condition of employment. While the clearance may not be immediately necessary upon hire, we encourage you to initiate the application process promptly upon accepting this offer. Your ability to secure the necessary clearance is essential for fulfilling key responsibilities of the role. Should you be unable to obtain it, Northwood Space reserves the right to modify or terminate your employment to align with optional needs.


• Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed

Additional Information:

If you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Northwood Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Northwood Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.