Space Instrument PCB Layout (Designer/Drafter 4/5)

This position will be filled at the Designer/Drafter 4 or 5 level, depending on the skills of the selected candidate.

About the role

The Space Electronics and Signal Processing (ISR-4) Group is seeking R&D electrical designers to assist and lead the design and development of high-quality, innovative measurement systems followed by their deployment on ground, launched on suborbital rockets, or into space for national security applications and NASA missions. This job is the essence of "Cradle to Grave" engineering; once designed, built, and tested, you will often provide subject matter expertise for payload delivery, launch, and operations over the life of the mission whether in earth orbit for 10+ years, Mars, or deep space.

Responsibilities

• Work with engineers to understand specifications and create and revise circuit board layout designs in CAD.
• Model and analyze the performance of custom instrumentation.
• Engage with fabrication facilities to ensure IPC standards are met.
• Work on defined tasking with guidance and mentorship while growing toward self-sufficiency in execution and documentation.
• Research, design, and verify board layout solutions.
• Apply engineering design principles to design and fabrication of printed circuit boards and assemblies.

Requirements

• Design Expertise: Create and modify printed circuit board designs using Siemens Xpedition or Altium Designer including exporting manufacturing outputs.
• Technical Standards: Knowledge of layer stackup requirements and experience routing multi-layer boards.
• Communication & Teaming: Demonstrated ability to accomplish technical tasks while working independently and in a team environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum: Associate's Degree in an Engineering or Technical field and 5 years of related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.
• Desired: Research, design, and verify board layout solutions; working understanding of signal integrity (SI), power integrity (PI) and electromagnetic interference (EMI/EMC); knowledge and experience with high-density layout including high speed digital, RF, and power supplies; knowledge of controlled impedance traces, RF transmission lines, etched antennas, and grounding techniques; working knowledge of use of different materials and processes for PCB fabrication and assembly.

Skills

• Ability to create and modify component library parts based on manufacturers specification.
• Knowledge of transmission line theory as applied to ground planes.
• IPC and/or PCEA certification preferred (CID/CID+).
• Proven capability to understand the broader technical system, beyond the electrical design.
• Experience collaborating with mechanical, thermal, and hardware engineers to fit size, power, and cooling constraints considerations for each design and floor plan layout accordingly.

Benefits

• Q clearance.

Pay

• Designer/Drafter 4: $72,800 - $115,400
• Designer/Drafter 5: $87,800 - $143,000

Schedule

• Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory.