Senior PCB Designer

Viasat; Tempe (AZ); On-site; USD 100,000 - 157,000; Full time

Job summary

Viasat is seeking a Senior PCB Designer for the Space Infrastructure team to own the layout of complex, multi-layer boards and translate demanding system requirements into manufacturable designs. You will work with hardware, mechanical, RF, thermal, and test engineers across the lifecycle, from architecture through fabrication release, while mentoring junior designers.

Candidates should have 5–8 years of experience, a EE degree, and proficiency in Altium Designer or Siemens Xpedition, with up to

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or equivalent.
• 5–8 years of PCB layout experience for complex multilayer designs.
• Experience with high-speed digital, mixed-signal and power layouts.
• Strong signal and power integrity knowledge; EMI/EMC awareness.
• Experience with fabrication/assembly packaging; working with board houses.
• Proficiency in Altium Designer or Siemens Xpedition.
• Willingness to travel up to 10%.

Responsibilities

• Own PCB layout for complex designs including placement, routing, stack-up, and constraints.
• Design and route 10+ layer boards with controlled impedance and differential pairs.
• Collaborate across electrical, mechanical, RF, thermal, and test teams.
• Perform pre- and post-layout SI/PI analysis and EMI/EMC risk mitigation.
• Generate fabrication/assembly deliverables (Gerber, IPC-2581, drill files).
• Create and maintain symbols, footprints, 3D models, and libraries.
• Support prototype bring-up, debugging, and iteration.
• Help define and improve PCB design standards and workflows.
• Mentor junior designers and raise technical standards.

Skills

PCB layout

High-speed digital

Power electronics layouts

Signal integrity

Team collaboration

Travel up to 10%

US Citizenship

Education

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering

Tools

Altium Designer

Siemens Xpedition

Job description

About Us

One team. Global challenges. Infinite opportunities. At Viasat, we’re on a mission to deliver connections with the capacity to change the world. For more than 35 years, Viasat has helped shape how consumers, businesses, governments and militaries around the globe communicate. We’re looking for people who think big, act fearlessly, and create an inclusive environment that drives positive impact to join our team.

What You’ll Do

As a Senior PCB Designer on the Space Infrastructure team, you will design and deliver complex, high‑reliability printed circuit boards that enable next‑generation space systems and ground infrastructure. You will own PCB layout from early architectural trade studies through fabrication release, working closely with hardware, mechanical, manufacturing, and test engineers to translate demanding system requirements into robust, manufacturable designs.

This role focuses on multi‑layer, high‑speed, mixed‑signal, and power‑dense boards that operate in challenging environments and support fast development cycles. You will help set design standards, improve workflows, and raise the overall quality and efficiency of PCB development across the organization.

The day-to-day

• Own PCB layout for complex designs, including component placement, routing, stack‑up definition, and constraint management for digital, analog, RF, and power circuits
• Design and route high‑layer‑count boards (10+ layers) with controlled impedance, differential pairs, length matching, power integrity, and signal integrity considerations
• Collaborate closely with electrical, mechanical, RF, thermal, manufacturing, and test engineers during schematic development and design reviews
• Perform pre‑and post‑layout SI/PI analysis, EMI/EMC risk mitigation, and layout trade studies to de‑risk designs early
• Generate and release complete fabrication and assembly deliverables (Gerber, ODB++, IPC‑2581, drill files, stack‑ups, drawings, and assembly outputs)
• Apply DFM/DFA/DFT best practices, incorporating feedback from fabrication and assembly partners to improve yield, cost, and schedule
• Create, validate, and maintain symbols, footprints, and 3D models, and work with libraries to ensure accuracy and reuse
• Support prototype bring‑up, debug, and iteration by working alongside hardware and test teams
• Help define and improve PCB design standards, constraints, and workflows across the Space Infrastructure organization
• Mentor junior designers and contribute to raising the technical bar for layout quality and execution speed

What You’ll Need

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or equivalent professional experience
• 5 - 8 years of professional PCB layout experience, including ownership of complex, multilayer designs
• Demonstrated experience with high‑speed digital, mixed‑signal, and power electronics layouts
• Strong understanding of signal integrity, power integrity, EMI/EMC, and manufacturability
• Experience producing fabrication and assembly packages and working directly with board houses and assemblers
• Proficiency with Altium Designer or Siemens Xpedition
• Ability to visualize component placement, routing strategies, and mechanical integration early in the design process
• Strong communication skills and comfort working in fast‑paced, cross‑functional engineering environments
• Ability to travel up to 10%
• US Citizenship required

What Will Help You On The Job

• Experience with Siemens Xpedition (strong plus)
• Experience with very high‑density designs, BGAs, fine‑pitch components, and advanced packaging
• Familiarity with SI/PI simulation tools, constraint‑driven design, and automation or scripting
• Experience supporting rapid development cycles, prototype iteration, and production ramp‑up
• Exposure to space, aerospace, automotive, or other high‑reliability hardware environments
• A practical, detail‑oriented mindset with a bias toward clean layouts, fast iteration, and manufacturable solutions

Salary range

$99,500.00 - $157,000.00 / annually. For specific work locations within San Jose, the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, the base pay range for this role is $123,500.00- $185,500.00/ annually

At Viasat, we consider many factors when it comes to compensation, including the scope of the position as well as your background and experience. Base pay may vary depending on job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience. Additional cash or stock incentives may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the position offered. Learn more about Viasat’s comprehensive benefit offerings that are focused on your holistic health and wellness at https://careers.viasat.com/benefits.

EEO Statement

Viasat is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, seeking to create a welcoming and diverse environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, genetics, age, or veteran status or any other applicable legally protected status or characteristic. If you would like to request an accommodation on the basis of disability for completing this on-line application, please click here.