PCB Layout Engineer

Castelion Corporation; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Castelion seeks a seasoned PCB Layout Engineer to independently own the layout and release of complex avionics PCBs for hypersonic missile systems.

You will collaborate with electrical, mechanical, systems, and manufacturing engineers to deliver flight-worthy hardware on aggressive schedules while driving DFM and production readiness with minimal oversight.

Qualifications

• 5-8+ years of PCB layout and electronics hardware development.
• Strong proficiency with Altium (preferred) or equivalent PCB layout tools.
• Experience using mechanical CAD tools such as NX or SolidWorks for ECAD-MCAD coordination.
• Proven experience taking complex PCBs from concept through production release.
• Experience designing high-density, multi-layer PCBs (typically 10-20+ layers).
• Solid understanding of signal integrity, power distribution, grounding, EMI/EMC, and thermal considerations.
• Experience designing to IPC Class 3 / 3A requirements.
• Knowledge of PCB fabrication processes, materials, stack-ups, and manufacturing constraints.
• Experience working directly with PCB fabrication and assembly vendors.
• Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and ownership mindset.
• Ability to operate effectively in highly cross-functional engineering teams.

Responsibilities

• Own PCB layout from initial placement through fabrication and assembly release for complex avionics hardware.
• Translate schematic intent and system requirements into robust, manufacturable PCB layouts.
• Drive component placement, stack-up definition, routing strategy, and constraint management across analog, digital, RF, and power domains.
• Lead PCB DFM/DFA reviews with fabrication and assembly vendors; close manufacturing issues through release.
• Develop and maintain PCB fabrication and assembly packages (Gerber/ODB++, BOMs, drawings).
• Interface directly with board houses to select materials, stack-ups, impedance targets, and DFX rules.
• Ensure designs meet IPC Class 3/3A and Castelion internal design standards.
• Maintain and expand the PCB component library; contribute to company-wide layout standards and best practices.
• Support signal integrity, power integrity, and EMI-focused layout trade studies.
• Collaborate with electrical, mechanical, systems, and software engineers through integration, test, and qualification.
• Support rapid iteration cycles and hardware re-spins in a fast-paced development environment.
• Provide technical guidance to junior PCB designers and review peer layouts.
• Communicate clearly across disciplines and sites to keep hardware on schedule.

Skills

Altium

PCB layout

ECAD/MCAD coordination

Vendors collaboration

Signal integrity

Tools

NX

SolidWorks

Job description

Why Castelion, Why Now

Castelion is moving incredibly fast to develop and deliver advanced defense systems at a time when execution matters more than ever. We believe focus, ownership, and excellence are decisive advantages - and we’re building a world-class team to turn bold ideas into real capability.

This is a rare opportunity to join at an early stage, where you’ll have significant ownership, collaborate with exceptional teammates, and make a direct, measurable impact on our mission and the future of the company - regardless of your function.

As a PCB Layout Engineer, you will independently own the layout and release of complex avionics printed circuit boards for hypersonic missile systems. You will partner closely with electrical, mechanical, systems, and manufacturing engineers to deliver flight-worthy hardware on aggressive schedules.

This role requires strong technical judgment, the ability to drive layout decisions across analog, digital, RF, and power domains, and comfort leading fabrication and assembly partners through DFM and production readiness. You will be expected to execute with minimal oversight while contributing to continuous improvement of Castelion’s PCB design standards and processes.

Responsibilities

• Own PCB layout from initial placement through fabrication and assembly release for complex avionics hardware.
• Translate schematic intent and system requirements into robust, manufacturable PCB layouts.
• Drive component placement, stack-up definition, routing strategy, and constraint management across analog, digital, RF, and power domains.
• Lead PCB DFM/DFA reviews with fabrication and assembly vendors; close manufacturing issues through release.
• Develop and maintain PCB fabrication and assembly packages (Gerber/ODB++, BOMs, drawings).
• Interface directly with board houses to select materials, stack-ups, impedance targets, and DFX rules.
• Ensure designs meet IPC Class 3/3A and Castelion internal design standards.
• Maintain and expand the PCB component library; contribute to company-wide layout standards and best practices.
• Support signal integrity, power integrity, and EMI-focused layout trade studies.
• Collaborate with electrical, mechanical, systems, and software engineers through integration, test, and qualification.
• Support rapid iteration cycles and hardware re-spins in a fast-paced development environment.
• Provide technical guidance to junior PCB designers and review peer layouts.
• Communicate clearly across disciplines and sites to keep hardware on schedule.

Basic Qualifications

• 5 - 8+ years of experience in PCB layout and electronics hardware development.
• Strong proficiency with Altium (preferred) or equivalent professional PCB layout tools.
• Experience using mechanical CAD tools such as NX or SolidWorks for ECAD-MCAD coordination.
• Proven experience taking complex PCBs from concept through production release.
• Experience designing high-density, multi-layer PCBs (typically 10-20+ layers).
• Solid understanding of signal integrity, power distribution, grounding, EMI/EMC, and thermal considerations.
• Experience designing to IPC Class 3 / 3A requirements.
• Knowledge of PCB fabrication processes, materials, stack-ups, and manufacturing constraints.
• Experience working directly with PCB fabrication and assembly vendors.
• Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and ownership mindset.
• Ability to operate effectively in highly cross-functional engineering teams.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience in aerospace, missile systems, spaceflight, defense, or other high-reliability hardware environments.

• Hands-on experience with boards containing:

  • Microcontrollers, DSPs, FPGAs, or ASICs
  • High-speed digital interfaces (DDR3/4, SerDes, ADC/DACs)
  • Power management and sensor interfaces
  • RF and mixed-signal circuitry

• Familiarity with signal and power integrity tools (e.g., SiWave, HFSS, ADS, CST).

• Experience supporting EMI/EMC mitigation through layout techniques.

• Familiarity with relevant industry standards (e.g., MIL-STD, DO-254).

• Experience supporting hardware through environmental testing and qualification.

• Ability to mentor junior engineers and elevate team layout quality.

Additional Requirements

• Willingness to support extended hours or weekend work during critical integration, test, and flight milestones.

Castelion offers a generous benefits package. Please refer to the bottom of our Careers page for more details.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Additional Eligibility Requirements

This position may require access to classified information or restricted U.S. Government sites, systems, or information, as determined by the Company and/or applicable U.S. Government requirements. If the position is so designated, your employment in the role may be contingent upon your ability to obtain and maintain the required U.S. Government security clearance or other government authorization, and to satisfy any citizenship or other eligibility requirements imposed by applicable law, regulation, executive order, or government contract requirements. You will be notified if and when such requirements apply.

Affirmative Action/EEO Statement

Castelion is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Castelion is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and hiring process. If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete an application, participate in the interview process, or otherwise participate in the hiring process, please contact [e-mail]. Requests for accommodation will be considered on an individual basis and handled in accordance with applicable law.

EAR/ITAR Requirements

This position requires access to export-controlled information, and as such, employment (or hiring of a contractor) is contingent upon the candidate’s ability to access all applicable export-controlled information without additional export licensing being required by the Bureau of Industry and Security and/or the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls.