Principal Printed Circuit Board Designer

PDS Defense, Inc.; Miami (FL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

PDS Defense, Inc. in Miami, FL seeks a Principal Printed Circuit Board Designer to lead the design and layout of high-reliability aerospace PCBs for avionics systems.

You will apply expertise in signal and power integrity, EMC/ESD mitigation, and work with cross-functional teams across manufacturing and mechanical engineering to ensure compliant designs.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or PCB design cert; 8+ years in PCB layout.
• Experience in high-reliability or aerospace PCB design.
• Understanding of IPC standards IPC-2221/IPC-7351/IPC-A-600.
• Proficiency with ECAD tools Altium Designer and Cadence Allegro/OrCAD.
• Experience with rigid-flex and HDI PCBs.
• Knowledge of EMI/EMC and ESD protection methods.
• Experience with AS9100/ISO9001 quality systems.
• Strong cross-functional communication.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and layout of complex, multi-layer PCB boards for avionics systems.
• Define and enforce signal/power integrity constraints and trace impedance.
• Create schematics for high-speed, multi-functional designs.
• Ensure EMC/EMI and ESD compliance throughout the design lifecycle.
• Produce fabrication/assembly docs: Gerbers, drill files, BOMs.

Skills

PCB layout

High-speed design

Signal integrity

Power integrity

EMC/ESD expertise

Team collaboration

Education

Associate degree or PCB design certification

Tools

Altium Designer

Cadence Allegro/OrCAD

Job description

Engineering

Principal Printed Circuit Board Designer (Miami, FL)

Job Description

Job Category: Engineering

Position Type: Associate - W2

Shift: 1

PDS Defense, Inc. is seeking a Principal Printed Circuit Board Designer, in Miami, FL.

The Principal PCB Designer leads the design and layout of complex, high reliability printed circuit boards for Gables product line. This role applies deep technical expertise in signal and power integrity, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), and electrostatic discharge (ESD) mitigation to drive robust and compliant designs. The Principal PCB Designer establishes design strategies, defines and enforces best practices, and ensures adherence to aerospace standards throughout the development lifecycle. Utilizing advanced ECAD tools, this role provides technical leadership and guidance while influencing design quality, efficiency, and overall system performance.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the design and development of complex, multi-layer PCB layouts for avionics systems, including high-speed digital, analog, RF, and power circuits.
• Define, apply, and enforce advanced signal integrity and power integrity constraints, including differential pair routing, impedance control, controlled trace lengths, and propagation delay optimization.
• Design, develop, and validate complex electrical schematics, including high-speed, multi-functional, and tightly constrained designs, ensuring design integrity and alignment with overall system architecture.
• Ensure full compliance with EMC/EMI and ESD protection standards, proactively addressing risks throughout the design lifecycle.
• Own the creation and release of complete fabrication and assembly documentation packages, including Gerbers, ODB++, drill files, detailed drawings, and bills of materials (BOMs).
• Partner cross-functionally with electrical, mechanical, and manufacturing engineering teams to drive optimal design solutions and ensure successful system integration.
• Lead and actively contribute to design reviews, including engineering, DFM, and DFA evaluations, providing technical guidance and recommendations.
• Oversee prototyping, debug efforts, and design iterations, driving root cause analysis and implementing improvements based on test results and production feedback.
• Own and continuously improve PCB libraries, components, and design templates within the CAD/Altium environment to support standardization and efficiency.
• Ensure adherence to aerospace standards, internal processes, and configuration control requirements, serving as a subject matter expert on design compliance.
• Interface with manufacturing teams, including SMT production, to resolve technical issues, improve producibility, and support successful product builds.
• Conduct root cause analysis for PCB-related failures and recommend corrective actions.
• Provide estimates for layout effort, timelines, and complexity during project planning phases.
• Mentor junior designers or contribute to design best practices and knowledge sharing within the team.
• Interface directly with customers or program teams on technical design considerations.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives for PCB design processes and tools.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Associate degree, PCB Design technical certification, or equivalent experience in electronics circuit design.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in PCB layout, preferably within high-reliability or aerospace applications.
• Proven understanding and application of IPC standards (e.g., IPC-2221, IPC-7351, IPC-A-600).
• Demonstrated expertise in high-speed PCB design, including differential pair routing, impedance control, and signal integrity considerations.
• Proficiency with industry-standard ECAD tools, such as Altium Designer and/or Cadence Allegro/OrCAD.
• Experience with rigid-flex and high-density interconnect (HDI) PCB technologies.
• Strong knowledge of PCB fabrication and assembly processes, including the ability to collaborate effectively with manufacturing teams.
• Familiarity with EMI/EMC design practices and electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection methods.
• Experience addressing thermal management challenges and mechanical constraints in aerospace or similarly complex environments.
• Ability to interpret electrical schematics, mechanical drawings, and manufacturing specifications.
• Prior experience working within AS9100 or ISO9001-certified quality systems.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Benefits offered to vary by the contract. Depending on your temporary assignment, benefits may include direct deposit, free career counseling services, 401(k), select paid holidays, short-term disability insurance, skills training, employee referral bonus, affordable medical coverage plan, and DailyPay (in some locations).

Job Requirements

Minimum Security Clearance: No Clearance

Military connected talent encouraged to apply.

VEVRAA Federal Contractor / Request Priority Protected Veteran Referrals / Equal Opportunity Employer / Veterans / Disabled

To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please visit http://www.tadpgs.com/candidate-privacy/ or https://pdsdefense.com/candidate-privacy/

The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:

• The California Fair Chance Act
• Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance
• Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers
• San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

VEVRAA Federal Contractor / Request Priority Protected Veteran Referrals / Equal Opportunity Employer / Veterans / Disabled