PC Board Designer

About the role

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of General Atomics, is a world leader in proven, reliable remotely piloted aircraft and tactical reconnaissance radars, as well as advanced high-resolution surveillance systems. We have an exciting career opportunity for a PC Board Designer to join our Electrical Engineering team to assist in Electronic Computer-Aided Design (ECAD) at the GA-ASI division in San Diego, CA (Poway, CA).

Responsibilities

• Work under general supervision to design complex printed circuit boards (PCBs).
• Collaborate with electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and manufacturing teams.
• Knowledge in areas such as analog, high-speed digital, RF, and high power is highly desirable; experience in at least one of these areas is required, as PC Board layouts support a wide range of electrical engineering designs.
• Host layout reviews with design engineers, program stakeholders, and independent reviewers.
• Read datasheets and manage design tradeoffs in a dynamic engineering environment.
• Provide finished designs that meet constraints driven by DFx (fabrication, assembly, test, and rework), signal integrity, power integrity, and mechanical packaging.
• Complete PCB designs and generate/validate all deliverables, including fabrication and assembly drawings, RS274X Gerber files, NC drill files, IPC-356 files, back-annotated schematics, BOMs, pick-and-place files, etc.
• Electrical CAD experience is required; experience with PADS and/or Altium is considered a plus.
• Familiarity with IPC-7351 Library standards and the Siemens LP calculator is required.
• ECAD library development is desired; peer checking of parts and a commitment to library integrity is required.
• Familiarity with Gerber viewers and design validation software is a plus.
• Demonstrate strong teamwork and contribute to organizational success.
• Exhibit excellent verbal and written communication skills to collaborate effectively with engineers, fabricators, and contract manufacturers.
• Knowledge of via structures, PCB laminates, and prepregs for developing stack-ups that meet electrical signal integrity requirements for cost-effective designs is desired.
• While primarily focused on PCB design, responsibilities may also include parts kitting, BOM management, component procurement, drawing updates/releases, and quick prototype activities (assembly and LPKF).

Qualifications

• Typically requires an Associates degree or a training certificate from a recognized organization indicating completion of training in basic electronics technology and in CAD design software and two or more years of progressive experience designing PC boards utilizing CAD engineering design software.