Senior PCB CAD Engineer

Intellian Technologies; Rockville (MD); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) plan with employer safe harbor

Flexible time off and paid holidays

Annual bonus potential

Job summary

Intellian Technologies is seeking a Senior PCB CAD Engineer to lead architecture, standards, and lifecycle management for complex PCBAs. You will drive HDI stack-ups, hierarchical schematics, and AI-driven automation to transform hardware development.

With 6+ years of PCB design experience and Cadence expertise, you will mentor juniors, collaborate across Hardware, Mechanical, Antenna, and Firmware teams, and help optimize yield through rigorous DfX guidelines and PLM-integrated libraries.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of proven experience in high-complexity PCB design and electrical engineering.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering or related field.
• Mastery of Cadence Allegro/OrCAD and enterprise PLM systems.
• Deep expertise in high-speed digital design, RF signal routing, and high-power switching.
• Expert EMI/EMC mitigation knowledge and low-cost fabrication parameters.
• Strong Python for engineering automation and mentoring ability.

Responsibilities

• Lead HDI stack-up design strategy and component floor-planning for flagship products.
• Execute complex hierarchical schematic captures and deep-dive circuit analysis.
• Oversee Design Rule Checks and cross-functional SI/PI analysis for first-pass success.
• Set standards for centralized component libraries, PLM integration, and design reuse.
• Architect Python-based automation tools and AI-driven workflows for schematic generation and routing feasibility.
• Serve as liaison between Hardware, Mechanical, Antenna, and Firmware teams to solve EMI and integration challenges.
• Define and enforce DFM, DFA, and DFT guidelines to maximize yield during high-volume production.

Skills

Cadence Allegro/OrCAD

Python

EMI/EMC mitigation

High-speed digital design

RF routing

HDI stack-up

Schematic ownership

Mentoring

PLM integration

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Cadence Allegro/OrCAD

Job description

The Senior PCB CAD Engineer serves as the technical authority for the design, development, and lifecycle management of complex printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs). This role goes beyond standard layout to lead architectural strategy, establish enterprise-level design standards, and mentor junior engineers. You will be responsible for high-complexity, multi-layer designs using Cadence OrCAD/Allegro, navigating rigorous electrical and mechanical constraints while pioneering AI-driven automation and advanced scripting to revolutionize the hardware development lifecycle.

Main Responsibilities and Tasks

• Advanced PCB Architecture: Lead the strategy for high-density interconnect (HDI) stack-up design, via technology selection, and critical component floor-planning for flagship products.
• Strategic Schematic Ownership: Execute complex hierarchical schematic captures and perform deep-dive circuit analysis to translate abstract system requirements into high-performance functional designs.
• Design Simulation & Integrity: Oversee comprehensive Design Rule Checks (DRC) and lead cross-functional efforts in Signal Integrity (SI) and Power Integrity (PI) analysis to ensure first-pass success.
• CAD Infrastructure & Library Governance: Set the standards for centralized component libraries, ensuring seamless PLM integration and maximum design re-use across the ADC department.
• Innovation & Automation Lead: Architect and deploy Python-based automation tools and AI-driven workflows to optimize schematic generation and routing feasibility.
• Cross-Functional Synthesis: Act as the primary liaison between Hardware, Mechanical, Antenna, and Firmware teams to solve complex EMI and physical integration challenges.
• Design for Excellence (DfX): Define and enforce rigorous DFM, DFA, and DFT guidelines to minimize cost and maximize yield during the transition to high-volume production.

Required Qualifications

• Experience: 6+ years of proven experience in high-complexity PCB design and electrical engineering (Advanced from 3+ years).
• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering or a related technical field.
• Expert Tooling: Mastery of Cadence Allegro/OrCAD and experience with enterprise PLM systems.
• Technical Domain Expertise: * Deep expertise in high-speed digital design, RF signal routing, and high-power switching.
• Expert-level knowledge of EMI/EMC mitigation strategies and low-cost fabrication parameters.
• Strong proficiency in Python for engineering-specific automation.
• Soft Skills: Proven ability to mentor junior staff and articulate complex technical requirements to executive stakeholders and external vendors.
• Proficiency in MS Office and Google Suite.

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Ability to demonstrate initiative and ability to thrive in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
• Experience with software for DFM analysis.
• Experience or strong interest in applying AI/Machine Learning workflows to hardware design.
• Proficiency in Python for engineering automation.
• Analytical mindset with a focus on improving design rules and testing guidelines.
• Experience with other CAD software such as Altium, Siemens Xpedition or KiCAD.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk working on computers.
• Continually required to utilize hand and finger dexterity.
• Must be able to lift up to at least 25 pounds at times.
• Ability to traverse to multiple locations.

About Intellian Technologies

Intellian is the world’s leading provider of satellite antennas and terminals, with a mission to empower connectivity so connectivity can empower the world. We are driven by a passion for innovation and agile responsiveness to customer needs. As the crucial link between satellite networks and millions of people on Earth, Intellian’s leading technology and antennas empower global connectivity across oceans and continents, organizations, and communities. Strategic thinking, an obsession with quality, and a proven ability to deliver enable Intellian to invent for the future, creating mutual success for partners and customers as the world’s connectivity needs evolve.

• We offer a generous benefits package, including flexible time off and paid holidays.
• Eligible employees also have access to medical, dental, and vision insurance, as well as short-term and long-term disability coverage.
• A 401(k) plan with employer safe harbor is available.
• Additional compensation elements may be offered depending on the role, which may include an opportunity for an annual bonus based on both company and individual performance.