Senior Substrate Layout Engineer

About the role

Mercury Systems is seeking a Senior Substrate Layout Engineer to lead complex HDI PCB and substrate layout efforts for advanced microelectronic solutions used in aerospace, defense, and space systems. The ideal candidate will contribute directly to the design, layout, and optimization of rugged, high-density microelectronics that operate in the harshest environments with exceptional reliability.

Job Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership focused on high-speed interfaces and high-density substrate layout techniques, guiding engineering teams to deliver high-quality microelectronic solutions.
• Drive the design, layout, and analysis of complex electrical and mechanical systems, including high-density interposers, substrates, and PCB layouts supporting digital, analog, power, and RF signals across multiple die (primarily flip-chip).
• Manage high-speed, multi-layer packaging activities involving HDI structures, blind and buried vias, BGAs, RF routing, and design-for-test (DFT) considerations.
• Collaborate with development processes to ensure alignment with supplier Design for Manufacturing (DFM) rules and capabilities.
• Create fabrication drawings that accurately represent design intent and collaborate with fabrication suppliers to ensure successful technical transfer.
• Review artwork, drawings, and design artifacts throughout the layout cycle and during final design reviews for fabrication and assembly.
• Support multidisciplinary investigations, feasibility studies, and design trades in collaboration with cross-functional engineering teams.
• Apply systems-thinking to understand and communicate how design decisions impact the broader system.
• Absorb and apply systems-thinking to understand and communicate how design decisions impact the broader system.
• Assist the team beyond specific technical discipline as needed to meet program and organizational goals.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or higher degree in engineering in electrical or electronics engineering.
• Typically requires a minimum of 4 years of experience as a high-density package layout designer using industry-standard tools.
• Proficiency with Cadence APD+ physical and electrical constraint editors and experience with HDI stack-ups, blind and buried micro-vias, and fine-pitch routing (e.g., 15µm/15µm to 2µm/2µm or below).
• Knowledge of Cadence Constraint Manager.
• Experience with 2.5D devices, interposers, substrates, flip-chip, and high-end package design.
• Understanding of layout techniques in digital, analog, and/or RF designs.
• High-end package design experience, especially in advanced substrate or interposer designs.
• Ability to work within a Cadence schematic/netlist-driven layout workflow; experience with CAM tools for manufacturing data validation (CAM350 and Blueprint preferred).
• Understanding of layout techniques for digital, analog, and RF designs; knowledge of JEDEC and IPC design, fabrication, and assembly specifications.
• Working knowledge of JEDEC and IPC design, fabrication, and assembly specifications.
• Experience creating assembly documentation and fabrication deliverables per company and industry standards.

Preferred Qualifications

• Understanding of signal-integrity fundamentals including impedance, crosstalk, and power-integrity considerations.
• Knowledge of substrate materials, stack-up creation, and packaging architectures.
• Experience with Through-Silicon Via (TSV) or interposer-based designs or die stacking.
• Familiarity with Ansys or Cadence simulation tools such as Sigrity and Clarity.
• Experience routing high-frequency SERDES or RF interfaces.
• Experience with scripting or automation for layout workflows.

Benefits

Mercury Systems offers a competitive compensation package, including a range of salaries based on location, and a variety of benefits such as health, life, and disability insurance, company-paid holidays and time off, 401(k) retirement plan, discounted employee stock purchase plan, tuition reimbursement, and access to professional development and personal wellness platforms. Additionally, Mercury offers a 9/80 alternative work schedule for employees in certain locations.