PCB Layout Design Engineer

Actalent; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 103,000 - 117,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k)

Life Insurance

Job summary

Actalent seeks an experienced PCB Layout Design Engineer to support the development of high-reliability electronic hardware for mission-critical applications in Cincinnati, OH. This role focuses on PCB layout and physical board design rather than schematic capture.

The ideal candidate will own the layout process from concept through fabrication, apply IPC standards, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure manufacturability and quality, including HDI, microvias, via-in-pad, and

Qualifications

• Active Top Secret Clearance.
• Bachelor's degree with 8+ years of relevant experience, Master's degree with 6+ years, or PhD with 4+ years.
• Minimum 8 years of PCB layout experience using Xpedition.
• Experience designing multi-layer, high-density PCB assemblies.
• Experience with high-speed digital, RF, and/or mixed-signal board layouts.
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional engineering teams.
• Working knowledge of PCB fabrication and assembly processes.
• Experience creating PCB and CCA manufacturing documentation packages.
• Familiarity with IPC design and fabrication standards.
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work on-site full-time in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Responsibilities

• Execute placement and routing of complex, high-density, multi-layer PCBs.
• Design layouts supporting high-speed digital, RF, mixed-signal, and power circuitry.
• Interpret electrical schematics, design constraints, and mechanical requirements to develop optimized PCB layouts.
• Generate complete PCB and CCA fabrication and assembly documentation packages.
• Create artwork, fabrication notes, manufacturing outputs, drawings, and production release documentation.
• Apply IPC standards and high-reliability design practices throughout the development process.
• Collaborate closely with electrical, mechanical, manufacturing, test, and signal integrity engineering teams.
• Support Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), and Design for Test (DFT) reviews.
• Partner with fabrication and assembly vendors to ensure manufacturability and product quality.
• Support PCB library management, including symbols, footprints, and reusable design elements.
• Own PCB layout activities from concept through fabrication release.
• Lead advanced PCB layout efforts involving HDI technologies, microvias, via-in-pad, backdrilling, and specialized substrate materials.

Skills

PCB layout ownership

High-reliability design

Cross-functional teamwork

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree (Electrical Engineering or related)

Master's degree

PhD

Tools

Xpedition

Job description

PCB Layout Design Engineer (Xpedition)

Location: Cincinnati, OH

Schedule: 100% On-Site (9/80 Schedule)

Employment Type: Contract

Compensation: $75-$85/hour W2

Clearance Required: Active Top Secret Clearance

About The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced PCB Layout Design Engineer to support the development of advanced, high-reliability electronic hardware for mission-critical applications.

This position is focused on PCB layout and physical board design rather than traditional circuit design or schematic development. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience using Xpedition and a strong background designing complex, multi-layer printed circuit boards for highly regulated environments.

While this opportunity is initially structured as a 26-week contract, there may be potential for contract extensions and/or long-term opportunities based on business needs and individual performance. While no guarantees can be made, this is often the case with successful consultants in similar engagements.

Responsibilities

• Execute placement and routing of complex, high-density, multi-layer printed circuit boards (PCBs)
• Design layouts supporting high-speed digital, RF, mixed-signal, and power circuitry
• Interpret electrical schematics, design constraints, and mechanical requirements to develop optimized PCB layouts
• Generate complete PCB and circuit card assembly (CCA) fabrication and assembly documentation packages
• Create artwork, fabrication notes, manufacturing outputs, drawings, and production release documentation
• Apply IPC standards and high-reliability design practices throughout the development process
• Collaborate closely with electrical, mechanical, manufacturing, test, and signal integrity engineering teams
• Support Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), and Design for Test (DFT) reviews
• Partner with fabrication and assembly vendors to ensure manufacturability and product quality
• Support PCB library management, including symbols, footprints, and reusable design elements
• Own PCB layout activities from concept through fabrication release
• Lead advanced PCB layout efforts involving HDI technologies, microvias, via-in-pad, backdrilling, and specialized substrate materials

Required Qualifications

• Active Top Secret Clearance
• Bachelor's degree with 8+ years of relevant experience, Master's degree with 6+ years, or PhD with 4+ years
• Minimum 8 years of PCB layout experience using Xpedition
• Experience designing multi-layer, high-density PCB assemblies
• Experience with high-speed digital, RF, and/or mixed-signal board layouts
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional engineering teams
• Working knowledge of PCB fabrication and assembly processes
• Experience creating PCB and CCA manufacturing documentation packages
• Familiarity with IPC design and fabrication standards
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work on-site full-time in Cincinnati, Ohio

Preferred Qualifications

• Defense, aerospace, military, intelligence, or spaceflight hardware experience
• Experience supporting programs with stringent reliability, documentation, and traceability requirements
• Expertise designing advanced high-density, multi-layer boards combining RF, high-speed digital, and power circuitry
• Knowledge of PCB process workflows and library management
• Experience creating and managing PCB symbols, footprints, and reusable design elements
• Ability to translate electrical and mechanical requirements into optimized physical board layouts
• Familiarity with high-reliability standards such as IPC Class 3/3A, MIL-STD-883, and similar aerospace or defense requirements
• Experience with:
  • HDI (High Density Interconnect)
  • Microvias
  • Via-in-pad
  • Backdrilling
  • Signal integrity considerations
  • Power integrity considerations
  • Thermal management practices

Important Note

This position is specifically seeking candidates who have owned the PCB layout process, including component placement, routing, board implementation, fabrication documentation, and production release. Candidates whose experience is primarily focused on circuit design, schematic capture, component selection, simulation, or hardware architecture without significant PCB layout ownership may not be the best fit for this opportunity. Every resume will be reviewed, and relevant experience will be carefully considered.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Cincinnati, OH.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $75.00 - $85.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 23, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Cincinnati,OH.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.