Senior PCB Layout Engineer - High-Density Defense

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 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.