Staff Engineer, PCBA DFM, Hardware

Google; United States; On-site; USD 171,000 - 248,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus target

Equity

Benefits

Job summary

Google is seeking a Staff Engineer for PCBA DFM and hardware to lead design-for-manufacturability across consumer devices from Mountain View. You will own SMT process integration roadmaps and partner with contract manufacturers to scale production for phones, watches, and wearables.

The role requires advanced expertise in high-density PCB design, failure analysis, and CAD reviews, with the ability to influence product teams early in development and maintain strong supplier relations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical/computer engineering or equivalent.
• 10 years in high-density consumer hardware design, PCBA, and DFM.
• Experience in SMT process integration and component-level failure analysis.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute long-term PCBA roadmaps and high-density packaging.
• Write and maintain PCBA design guidelines for rigid and rigid-flex assemblies.
• Lead OK2FAB gatekeeping for layout reviews to mitigate risks.
• Serve as the principal authority for SMT defect investigations and failure analysis.
• Define engineering standards for panel array designs and process traceability.

Skills

High-density hardware design

DFM/PCBA

CAD layout reviews

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

SMT process integration

PCB CAD tools

Job description

Staff Engineer, PCBA DFM, Hardware

Location: Mountain View, CA, USA

Experience Level: Advanced

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 10 years of experience in high-density consumer hardware design, printed circuit board assembly (PCBA), and design for manufacturability (DFM).
• Experience in surface mount technology (SMT) process integration, high-risk CAD layout reviews, and conducting component-level failure analysis.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Advanced understanding of solder metallurgy, intermetallic compound formation, SAC305/405 properties, and low-temperature solders.
• Demonstrated industry leadership through patents, published technical papers, or active contributions to industry standards bodies.

About the Job

Be part of a team that pushes boundaries, developing custom silicon solutions that power the future of Google's direct-to-consumer products. You'll contribute to the innovation behind products loved by millions worldwide. Your expertise will shape the next generation of hardware experiences, delivering unparalleled performance, efficiency, and integration.

As a Staff DfM/Surface Mount Technology (SMT) Engineer, you will serve as the principal technical authority for printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) design for manufacturing (DfM) across Google's entire consumer hardware portfolio including phones, watches, hearables, and more.

In this role, you will bridge the gap between product design and mass production. You will own the technical roadmap for SMT process integration, qualify next-generation component technologies, and lead high-stakes failure analysis task forces during product ramps. Operating with high technical autonomy, you will influence product design teams early in the development lifecycle and partner directly with global tier-one contract manufacturers to ensure our hardware is built reliably and efficiently at a massive scale.

Google's mission is to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful. Our Devices & Services team combines the best of Google AI, Software, and Hardware to create radically helpful experiences for users. We research, design, and develop new technologies and hardware to make our user's interaction with computing faster, seamless, and more powerful. Whether finding new ways to capture and sense the world around us, advancing form factors, or improving interaction methods, the Devices & Services team is making people's lives better through technology. Individual pay is determined by factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

US: $171,000 - $248,000 (USD) + 20% bonus target + equity + benefits

Learn more about benefits at Google.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute long-term technology roadmaps for PCBA assembly and high-density component packaging.
• Write and maintain proprietary PCBA design guidelines for rigid and rigid-flex assemblies.
• Lead technical gatekeeping for the OK to fabricate (OK2FAB) layout approval workflow, conducting CAD layout reviews to mitigate risks.
• Serve as the principal engineering authority for high-stakes SMT defect investigations and failure analysis.
• Define engineering standards for panel array designs, routing clearances, cross-out thresholds, and process traceability.

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Equity is granted exclusively and discretionarily by Alphabet Inc. on the basis of an agreement concluded between you and Alphabet Inc. Alphabet Inc. is your sole contractual partner with respect to equity grants. GSU grants are not guaranteed, are discretionary, are subject to approval by the Alphabet Inc. board of directors or its delegate, the terms of the relevant Alphabet Inc. stock plan, and your grant agreement. They have no impact on statutory payments. Current or past grants do not confer an acquired right.