Senior PCB Layout Engineer

Fractile; Bristol (VA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A fast-moving semiconductor start-up is seeking an experienced PCB Layout Engineer to design complex high-speed PCB layouts and manage PCB library creation. The role requires expertise in ensuring electrical performance and manufacturability across various products. The ideal candidate will have a solid understanding of layout techniques and collaboration with mechanical and manufacturing teams to deliver high-quality designs. This position is based in Virginia, United States.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of professional PCB layout experience.
• Proven experience with high-speed digital and high-power PCB designs.
• Hands-on experience creating and maintaining PCB libraries for production hardware.

Responsibilities

• Create PCB layouts for complex, multi-layer boards supporting high-speed circuits.
• Route high-speed interfaces and apply controlled impedance routing.
• Generate manufacturing deliverables and support board bring-up.

Skills

High-speed routing (DDR, PCIe, Ethernet, USB, SerDes)

Library creation and management workflows

High-current and power integrity layout techniques

Effective communication across teams

Education

Diploma, Bachelor’s degree in Electronics or Electrical Engineering

Tools

Siemens Xpedition

Altium Designer

Cadence Allegro

Job description

Fractile is a UK based, fast-moving semiconductor start-up building next-generation AI accelerator systems for deployment in data centres. Our work sits at the intersection of high-performance hardware, thermal efficiency, and system scalability.

We are seeking an experienced PCB Layout Engineer to deliver complex, high-speed and high-power PCB designs while also owning PCB library creation, validation, and ongoing management. This role plays a critical part in ensuring electrical performance, manufacturability, and long-term design quality across multiple products.

The ideal candidate combines deep layout expertise with a strong understanding of component footprints, land patterns, and library governance best practices.

Key Responsibilities

PCB Layout & Design Execution

• Create PCB layouts for complex, multi-layer boards supporting high-speed digital and high-power circuits
• Own component placement, routing, and constraint implementation from concept through manufacturing release
• Collaborate closely with hardware designers to resolve layout-driven electrical and mechanical tradeoffs

High-Speed Signal Integrity

• Route high-speed interfaces such as DDR, PCIe, Ethernet, USB, and SerDes-based links
• Apply controlled impedance routing, differential pair tuning, length matching, and return-path management
• Implement SI-aware stack-ups and routing strategies to minimise crosstalk and signal loss

High-Power & Power Integrity

• Layout high-current power paths, including VRMs, DC-DC converters, and power planes
• Optimise copper distribution, plane structures, and via arrays for current handling and low impedance
• Support thermal performance through copper pours, stitching vias, and heatsink interface planning

PCB Library Creation & Management

• Create, validate, and maintain schematic symbols, PCB footprints, and 3D models
• Ensure land patterns meet IPC standards and supplier recommendations
• Own library quality, version control, naming conventions, and release processes
• Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain to ensure component accuracy and lifecycle readiness
• Drive continuous improvement of library standards and documentation
• Participate in schematic reviews, layout design reviews, and SI/PI discussions
• Work with SI/PI engineers to implement simulation-driven layout constraints
• Support DFM/DFA reviews and interface directly with PCB fabricators and assemblers

Manufacturing & Debug Support

• Generate manufacturing deliverables (Gerbers, ODB++, IPC drawings, pick-and-place data)
• Support board bring-up and debug by implementing layout ECOs
• Resolve layout- and footprint-related manufacturing or assembly issues

Qualifications & Experience

• Diploma, Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent experience in Electronics, Electrical Engineering, or related field
• 7+ years of professional PCB layout experience
• Proven experience with high-speed digital and high-power PCB designs
• Hands-on experience creating and maintaining PCB libraries for production hardware

Technical Skills

PCB layout tools such as Siemens Xpedition, Altium Designer, Cadence Allegro, or equivalent

• Library creation and management workflows
• High-speed routing (DDR, PCIe, Ethernet, USB, SerDes)
• High-current and power integrity layout techniques
• Exceptional attention to detail and design discipline
• Strong ownership mindset for design quality and library integrity
• Effective communicator across hardware, mechanical, and manufacturing teams
• Comfortable managing multiple designs and revisions in parallel

Preferred Experience (Nice to Have)

• Experience with SI/PI simulation-informed layouts
• Familiarity with EMI/EMC-aware layout practices
• Experience with HDI, fine-pitch BGAs, and advanced PCB technologies
• Experience with AI accelerator or HPC hardware