RF PCB Layout Engineer

AV; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 75,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life insurance

Disability

Job summary

AeroVironment seeks RF PCB Layout Engineers to work onsite in Albuquerque, NM or Germantown, MD. Responsibilities include RF/mixed-signal PCB layout, library and documentation creation, and collaborating across RF, electrical, mechanical, and test teams throughout the product lifecycle.

The role supports design, verification, and production transitions, with opportunities at multiple experience levels. Candidates should have relevant electronics and PCB design experience and the ability to

Qualifications

• Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, RF Engineering, Electronics, CAD, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
• Relevant experience in PCB layout, RF layout, electronics design, drafting, or hardware development. Level will be based on qualifications and experience.
• Experience with Altium Designer or a comparable PCB layout tool.
• Ability to interpret electrical and RF schematics and understand signal paths.
• Working knowledge of multilayer PCB stack-ups, controlled impedance, grounding, shielding, isolation, signal integrity, DFM, and DFT.
• Experience creating or reviewing fabrication and assembly documentation.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, communication, and technical documentation skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Create and maintain PCB layouts for RF, mixed-signal, digital, power, and control assemblies.
• Translate schematics, RF constraints, stack-up requirements, mechanical envelopes, thermal paths, and assembly requirements into manufacturable layouts.
• Apply controlled-impedance routing, transmission-line geometry, grounding, shielding, isolation, return-current control, and thermal-management practices.
• Apply approved stack-ups, footprints, net classes, design rules, keep-outs, differential-pair requirements, and via strategies.
• Support high-density and repeated-hardware designs while preserving electrical performance and design intent.
• Create and maintain component symbols, footprints, libraries, and related outputs; manage BOMs and release packages.
• Perform DRCs, drawing checks, peer reviews, and release reviews before fabrication and assembly.
• Support signal- integrity, power-integrity, EMI, thermal, DFM, and DFT reviews.
• Use Altium Designer or a comparable tool to generate layouts and documentation.
• Work with suppliers to resolve fabrication and assembly issues without compromising RF requirements.

Skills

PCB layout

RF layout

Schematic interpretation

Signal integrity awareness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering or related field

Tools

Altium Designer

Job description

Worker Type

Regular

Job Description

Summary

AV is continuously seeking talented RF PCB Layout Engineers to work onsite at our Albuquerque, New Mexico or Germantown, Maryland offices. These positions support the development, integration, verification, and production of advanced RF, phased-array, mixed-signal, digital, power, and electromechanical systems.

This posting is intended for candidates at multiple experience levels, with responsibilities aligned to qualifications and program needs. Engineers may support PCB layout, RF implementation, library development, design-rule definition, documentation, prototype bring-up, production transition, and technical leadership. You will collaborate with RF, electrical, mechanical, thermal, manufacturing, assembly, quality, and test teams throughout the product lifecycle.

Position Responsibilities

• Create and maintain PCB layouts for RF, mixed-signal, digital, power, and control assemblies, including phased-array tiles and RF front ends.
• Translate schematics, RF constraints, stack-up requirements, mechanical envelopes, thermal paths, and assembly requirements into manufacturable layouts.
• Apply controlled-impedance routing, transmission-line geometry, grounding, shielding, isolation, return-current control, thermal-management, and RF-clearance practices.
• Apply approved stack-ups, footprints, net classes, design rules, keep-outs, differential-pair requirements, and via strategies.
• Support high-density and repeated-hardware designs while preserving electrical performance, consistency, and design intent.
• Create and maintain component symbols, footprints, libraries, placement data, fabrication outputs, assembly drawings, bills of materials, and controlled release packages.
• Perform design-rule checks, drawing checks, peer reviews, and release reviews before fabrication and assembly.
• Support signal-integrity, power-integrity, electromagnetic-compatibility, thermal, DFM, and DFT reviews.
• Use Altium Designer or a comparable tool to generate layouts, manufacturing outputs, assembly outputs, and technical documentation.
• Work with suppliers to resolve fabrication, assembly, yield, rework, inspection, and production issues without compromising RF requirements.
• Support prototype bring-up, RF testing, hardware integration, failure analysis, engineering changes, and transition to production.
• Collaborate across RF design, modeling, electrical, mechanical, thermal, manufacturing, quality, and test disciplines.
• Participate in design, test-readiness, production-readiness, and customer technical reviews.
• Maintain configuration-controlled records, revision history, engineering changes, and release documentation.
• Identify tradeoffs involving RF performance, density, mechanical and thermal constraints, cost, schedule, manufacturability, and repeatability.
• Provide technical leadership, mentorship, or process improvement based on experience.
• Support occasional travel to customer, supplier, test, or field locations.

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

• Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, RF Engineering, Electronics, CAD, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
• Relevant experience in PCB layout, RF layout, electronics design, drafting, or hardware development. Level will be based on qualifications and experience.
• Experience with Altium Designer or a comparable PCB layout tool.
• Ability to interpret electrical and RF schematics and understand signal paths.
• Working knowledge of multilayer PCB stack-ups, controlled impedance, grounding, shielding, isolation, signal integrity, DFM, and DFT.
• Experience creating or reviewing fabrication and assembly documentation.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, communication, and technical documentation skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team.
• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance, if required.

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• Experience with RF or mixed-signal boards, phased-array tiles, antenna interfaces, RF front ends, beamforming hardware, or high-density assemblies.
• Experience with RF shielding, thermal management, flex or rigid-flex boards, blind or buried vias, high-frequency connectors, or advanced PCB fabrication.
• Experience with DFM, DFT, supplier coordination, prototype bring-up, production transition, or fielded hardware.
• Familiarity with HFSS, ADS, CST, MATLAB, signal-integrity, power-integrity, or electromagnetic-compatibility tools.
• Experience with RF test equipment or hardware verification.
• Familiarity with IPC-A-610, ANSI/ESD S20.20, controlled manufacturing environments, and configuration management.
• Experience with radar, satellite communications, phased arrays, beam-control systems, or aerospace and defense products.
• Experience leading layout reviews, establishing design standards, conducting trade studies, or mentoring engineers.
• Current and active U.S. Department of Defense security clearance.

Core Competencies

• RF and mixed-signal PCB layout
• Controlled impedance, high-speed routing, grounding, shielding, and isolation
• PCB libraries, documentation, and configuration control
• Design for manufacturability, test, and assembly
• Prototype bring-up, troubleshooting, and production support
• Signal integrity, power integrity, and EMC awareness
• Cross-functional collaboration and technical communication
• Risk identification, tradeoff analysis, and problem solving
• Task ownership, technical leadership, and mentorship

Career Framework

• Track: Engineering
• Discipline: Electrical Engineering / PCB Design
• Level: Based on qualifications and experience
• Focus Areas: RF PCB Layout, Mixed-Signal Layout, Phased-Array Hardware, RF Front Ends, High-Density Electronics, Signal Integrity, Manufacturing Transition, and Hardware Integration and Test

Location

This position is based in either Albuquerque, NM or Germantown, MD.

Salary Range

$75,000 to $160,000 (This range is broad as we are hiring for multiple levels for this role. Salary will be determined within range based at entry, mid, or senior-level based on level of experience.)

ITAR Requirement

This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants will be asked to provide specific documentation to verify U.S. person status under the ITAR and the EAR. A “U.S. person” according to their definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee, or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

Benefits

• health insurance
• life insurance
• disability
• company holiday and paid time off
• parental leave
• 401(k) company match and contributions
• professional development/training reimbursements
• other work/life programs
• medical
• dental vision
• 401K with company matching
• a 9/80 work schedule
• a paid holiday shutdown

We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.

Who We Are

Based in California, AeroVironment (AVAV) is a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Founded in 1971 by celebrated physicist and engineer, Dr. Paul MacCready, we’ve been at the leading edge of technical innovation for more than 45 years. Be a part of the team that developed the world’s most widely used military drones and created the first submarine-launched reconnaissance drone, and has seven innovative vehicles that are part of the Smithsonian Institution’s permanent collection in Washington, DC.

Join us today in developing the next generation of small UAS and tactical missile systems that will deliver more actionable intelligence to our customers so they can proceed with certainty – and succeed.

What We Do

Building on a history of technological innovation, AeroVironment designs, develops, produces, and supports an advanced portfolio of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and allied military services use the company’s hand-launched UAS to provide situational awareness to tactical operating units through real-time, airborne reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data,sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.