Senior PCB Layout Engineer

Powerus; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Powerus is seeking a Senior PCB Layout Engineer to lead physical layout of high-density boards for defense and commercial programs. You will work with schematic designers and contract manufacturers, optimize stackups, route impedance-controlled traces, and ensure manufacturability within tight size and performance constraints.

This role requires 4+ years of production PCB layout experience, proficiency with Altium Designer or Cadence Allegro, and IPC standards familiarity.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of PCB layout experience for production boards.
• Experience routing impedance-controlled traces and managing stackup constraints.
• Familiarity with IPC standards for land patterns, design, and acceptance (IPC-7351, IPC-2221, IPC-A-610).
• U.S. Person status (citizenship, permanent resident, or protected individual) due to ITAR/EAR access.

Responsibilities

• Lead physical layout of complex multi-layer PCBs including mixed-signal, high-speed digital, and power boards.
• Define and optimize board stackups for impedance control, EMC performance, and manufacturing yield.
• Route impedance-controlled differential pairs, high-speed serial interfaces, and sensitive analog signals.
• Perform placement optimization for thermal management, signal integrity, and assembly access.
• Coordinate with schematic designers on pin assignments, component orientation, and net topology.
• Conduct DFM reviews with contract manufacturers and resolve producibility constraints.
• Manage design constraints including length matching, via fanout strategies, and backdrilling requirements.
• Review and approve layouts produced by junior engineers.
• Support bring-up and debug activities requiring layout knowledge — test point access, probe clearance, rework feasibility.
• Maintain layout standards, templates, and EDA tool configurations.

Skills

PCB layout

High-speed routing

Impedance control

Thermal management

DFM reviews

Schematic collaboration

Education

Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in electronics engineering technology or EE

Tools

Altium Designer

Cadence Allegro

Job description

Powerus is building a next-generation American autonomous systems platform designed to move, protect, and sustain critical assets in high-consequence environments. The company combines advanced autonomy, manufacturing capability, operational expertise, and strategic acquisitions to support defense, national security, critical infrastructure, and commercial operations globally.

Mission

Our mission is to deliver resilient autonomous technologies that strengthen national security, improve operational safety, and expand the capabilities of organizations operating in complex environments.

Why Join Powerus

Powerus manufactures autonomous aerial systems with growing platform diversity across defense and commercial programs. Board complexity is increasing with each generation — higher layer counts, tighter impedance tolerances, denser component placement, and more constrained mechanical envelopes.

This role focuses on the physical layout side of PCB development. The position sits within the engineering organization and works directly with schematic designers, mechanical engineers, and contract manufacturers.

Position Overview

Powerus is seeking a Senior PCB Layout Engineer to lead physical layout of printed circuit boards across multiple active programs. The role involves high-density placement, impedance-controlled routing, stackup optimization, and close coordination with schematic designers and contract manufacturers to meet performance, size, and manufacturability constraints. Reports to the Head of Engineering.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead physical layout of complex multi-layer PCBs including mixed-signal, high-speed digital, and power boards
• Define and optimize board stackups for impedance control, EMC performance, and manufacturing yield
• Route impedance-controlled differential pairs, high-speed serial interfaces, and sensitive analog signals
• Perform placement optimization for thermal management, signal integrity, and assembly access
• Coordinate with schematic designers on pin assignments, component orientation, and net topology
• Conduct DFM reviews with contract manufacturers and resolve producibility constraints
• Manage design constraints including length matching, via fanout strategies, and backdrilling requirements
• Review and approve layouts produced by junior engineers
• Support bring-up and debug activities requiring layout knowledge — test point access, probe clearance, rework feasibility
• Maintain layout standards, templates, and EDA tool configurations

Qualifications

• Must be located in the United States, within commuting distance of Charlotte, NC
• Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in electronics engineering technology, electrical engineering, or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience
• 4+ years of experience performing PCB layout for production boards
• Proficiency in Altium Designer, Cadence Allegro, or equivalent layout tool
• Experience routing impedance-controlled traces and managing stackup constraints
• Experience with DFM review processes and fabrication/assembly package generation
• Demonstrated ability to lay out boards with mixed-signal, high-speed, and power sections
• Familiarity with IPC standards for land patterns, design, and acceptance (IPC-7351, IPC-2221, IPC-A-610)
• U.S. Person status required (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)); this role involves access to ITAR- and EAR-controlled technical data

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience laying out boards for aerospace, defense, or ITAR-controlled programs
• Experience with HDI or rigid-flex board technologies
• Experience with thermal simulation or IR thermal survey at the board level
• Experience with Altium Designer specifically
• Familiarity with board-level EMC design techniques
• Active or prior U.S. security clearance

What We Look For

The right candidate has routed enough production boards to internalize the tradeoffs — placement density versus assembly access, layer count versus cost, impedance targets versus fabrication capability. The ability to work within tight mechanical envelopes while meeting electrical and manufacturing constraints is the core skill.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Powerus is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and mission-driven workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.