PCB Designer (Engineering Technologist 1/2)
Los Alamos National Laboratory
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Los Alamos National Laboratory seeks an Engineering Technologist to join the Accelerator Operations and Technology Division in Los Alamos, NM. You will own PCB design for accelerator controls, support ECAD environments, and work with R&D engineers, technicians, and suppliers to deliver reliable hardware.
Lower level contributions include schematics, layouts, and library components; higher level involves independent design ownership, reviews, and mentoring.
Qualifications
- Demonstrated ability to develop or revise schematics and PCB layouts using Siemens Xpedition/Mentor Graphics, Altium Designer, Cadence, or comparable ECAD software.
- Ability to create or modify schematic symbols, PCB footprints, and related component-library information.
- Foundational understanding of PCB design practices including grounding, layer stackups, routing, signal integrity.
- Ability to read schematics, datasheets, fabrication drawings, and applicable standards.
- Ability to communicate and collaborate with engineers, technicians, customers, suppliers, and ECAD users.
- Ability to plan and complete multiple assignments with changing priorities and deadlines.
Responsibilities
- Developing and revising schematics and multilayer PCB layouts for accelerator controls and related electronics.
- Creating and maintaining schematic symbols, footprints, and component-library data.
- Applying grounding, layer stackup, routing, signal-integrity, and manufacturability practices.
- Supporting analog, mixed-signal, high-speed digital, RF, and instrumentation projects.
- Preparing and maintaining drawings and design documentation.
- Coordinating reviews and resolving fabrication questions with internal teams and suppliers.
- Administering the ECAD environment, including licenses and updates.
- Estimating design effort and supporting multiple projects with changing priorities.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
At the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE), engineers and technologists operate and modernize an 800-MeV proton accelerator complex that supports national security, isotope production, proton radiography, materials research, neutron science, future accelerator missions, and more. The selected candidate will join the Instrumentation and Controls Group (AOT-IC) within LANL's Accelerator Operations and Technology Division. AOT-IC develops and supports controls, instrumentation, beam-diagnostics electronics, printed circuit boards, ECAD/MCAD capabilities, data acquisition, and network and timing-signal distribution for a large, distributed, timing-critical accelerator facility. You will serve as the group's primary PCB designer and ECAD resource. This is a highly visible, hands‑on role that combines printed circuit board design with ownership of the design environment, component libraries, licensing, software updates, project setup, and support for other ECAD users. You will work closely with R&D engineers, technicians, fabricators, assemblers, and customers to turn technical requirements into reliable, manufacturable hardware.
- Developing and revising schematics and multilayer PCB layouts for accelerator controls, instrumentation, beam diagnostics, timing systems, and related electronics
- Creating and maintaining schematic symbols, footprints, padstacks, and component‑library data from manufacturer documentation
- Applying grounding, layer‑stackup, routing, design‑rule, signal‑integrity, and manufacturability practices appropriate to each design
- Supporting analog, mixed‑signal, high‑speed digital, RF, controls, and instrumentation projects based on program needs
- Preparing and maintaining drawings, fabrication and assembly information, design documentation, and released design packages
- Coordinating technical reviews and resolving fabrication or assembly questions with internal teams and external suppliers
- Administering the Siemens Xpedition/Mentor Graphics environment, including licenses, updates, project creation, standards, and user support
- Estimating design effort and supporting multiple projects with changing priorities, schedules, and customer needs
- Supporting PCB and control‑system work for LANSCE and other AOT customers
This position offers the opportunity to take meaningful ownership of LANL's accelerator PCB‑design capability at a pivotal time for LANSCE modernization, reliability improvement, and long‑term facility operations.
At the lower level, you will contribute to PCB and ECAD projects with guidance from engineers and other technical staff. You will create and modify schematics, layouts, and library components; support design documentation and releases; help maintain the ECAD environment; and build familiarity with the specialized requirements of accelerator controls and instrumentation. Success at this level requires a strong technical foundation, attention to detail, sound judgment, and the ability to learn unfamiliar systems and design practices.
At the higher level, you will work more independently and take full ownership of complex PCB designs and the group's ECAD capability. You will establish and apply design constraints, guide projects from schematic capture through manufacturing release, make informed recommendations about materials and fabrication processes, lead technical reviews, estimate schedule and effort, maintain design standards and libraries, and resolve higher‑complexity design or production issues. You will also administer licensing and software updates, assist other users with project creation and tool usage, and provide technical direction or mentoring when needed.
- Demonstrated ability to develop or revise schematics and printed circuit board layouts using Siemens Xpedition/Mentor Graphics, Altium Designer, Cadence, or comparable commercial ECAD software. Direct Xpedition experience is preferred but is not required.
- Ability to create or modify schematic symbols, PCB footprints, and related component‑library information using manufacturer specifications and technical documentation.
- Foundational understanding of PCB design practices, including grounding and reference planes, layer stackups, routing, transmission‑line or signal‑integrity considerations, and manufacturability.
- Ability to read and interpret schematics, datasheets, fabrication drawings, assembly information, and applicable technical standards.
- Ability to communicate clearly and collaborate with engineers, technicians, customers, suppliers, and other ECAD users.
- Ability to plan and complete multiple assignments with changing priorities, deadlines, and customer needs.
- Demonstrated experience independently creating schematics and PCB layouts in one or more relevant areas, such as controls or instrumentation, analog or mixed‑signal electronics, high‑speed digital, RF, or other complex multilayer designs.
- Experience establishing and applying PCB design rules and constraints using a commercial ECAD platform. Experience with Xpedition Constraint Manager is preferred.
- Working knowledge of PCB materials, fabrication and assembly processes, and design‑for‑manufacturing and design‑for‑assembly practices.
- Demonstrated ability to lead PCB design packages, provide technical direction, conduct or support design reviews, and estimate design effort and schedule.
- Experience maintaining component libraries, design standards, or other shared ECAD resources.
- Ability to administer or learn the administration of the ECAD environment, including licensing, software updates, project setup, documentation, and user support.
Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering Technology, Science, Math or related degree from an accredited institution and 2 years related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.
Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering Technology, Science, Math or related degree and 5 years of directly related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.
Candidates who meet the degree requirement but do not meet the two‑year experience requirement are encouraged to apply and may be considered for hire through an allowable variance. Candidates who believe their education and experience provide an equivalent combination directly related to PCB design are also encouraged to apply.
- Experience with Siemens Xpedition/Mentor Graphics, including schematic capture, PCB layout, Constraint Manager, project setup, or tool administration
- IPC and/or PCEA certification, such as CID or CID+
- Experience with high‑speed digital, RF, analog, mixed‑signal, controls, instrumentation, or other complex multilayer PCB designs
- Knowledge of PCB fabrication and assembly processes, material selection, stackup development, and supplier coordination
- Experience managing large component libraries and establishing reusable ECAD standards
- Experience supporting an accelerator, scientific facility, industrial facility, defense program, or other high‑reliability technical environment
Flexible schedules are generally available with manager approval. Options include a 4/10 schedule, consisting of four 10‑hour workdays each week, or a 9/80 schedule, consisting of 80 hours over nine workdays every two weeks with one weekday off every other week. Schedule approval remains based on operational and project needs.
The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management. The role requires regular in‑person collaboration and hands‑on support for accelerator operations, including ECAD administration and direct user support. Alternative work schedules may be available and require manager approval. Schedules may change with appropriate notice.
Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 1 year.
A cover letter is recommended. Please briefly describe your PCB/ECAD experience, the types of boards you have worked on, the design tools you have used, and your role in the schematic‑to‑fabrication process. Do not include proprietary, export‑controlled, or classified information. We encourage you to apply if your experience is closely related but does not include every desired qualification. Transferable ECAD and PCB‑design experience will be considered, and the selected candidate may be hired at either level.
Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China‑including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:
- PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
- Dental and vision insurance
- Free basic life and disability insurance
- Paid childbirth and parental leave
- Award‑winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
- Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
- Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)
- Onsite gyms and wellness programs
- Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)
Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.
Position does not require a security clearance. Selected candidates will be subject to drug testing and other pre‑employment background checks.
The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new‑employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre‑offer.
Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular‑status positions are converted to regular status.
Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505)-664-6947.
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