Design Engineer

Job Description

Title: Design Engineer V – PCB Layout Engineer

Contract Duration: 5 Months (Potential Extension)

Location: Sunnyvale, CA (Onsite)

Pay rate: $95-$100/hr. on W2

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced PCB Layout Engineer (Design Engineer V) to support an advanced product development team focused on next-generation consumer electronics and augmented reality technologies. The ideal candidate will be responsible for designing and delivering highly complex PCB layouts that incorporate advanced component technologies, innovative stack-up solutions, and aggressive miniaturization strategies.

This role requires close collaboration with electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, DFM teams, signal integrity/power integrity specialists, layout teams, library teams, and external manufacturing partners to deliver high-performance, production-ready PCB designs.

The successful candidate will lead PCB development efforts from initial concept through final tape-out, ensuring design quality, manufacturability, and compliance with project requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

Project Management & Design Execution

• Manage multiple complex PCB layout projects simultaneously, ensuring successful execution, schedule alignment, and timely project updates.
• Lead PCB designs from initial kickoff through tape-out, including:
• Rigid PCB designs
• Rigid-flex PCB designs
• Flexible PCB designs
• Product and engineering/test platforms
• Drive key design milestones including:
• Project kickoff meetings
• Component placement reviews
• Constraint definition reviews
• Design verification reviews
• Maintain accurate project documentation, design trackers, and engineering workflow systems.
• Develop and maintain PCB design tool templates, project configurations, rules, and engineering standards.

Technical Expertise & Problem Solving

• Develop complex PCB layouts supporting advanced electronic products with challenging form-factor requirements.
• Apply strong knowledge of electrical engineering concepts, including:
• Power distribution networks (PDN)
• High-speed digital interfaces
• Signal integrity considerations
• RF design requirements
• Drive PCB miniaturization strategies for compact, high-density electronic products.
• Identify potential design risks, schedule challenges, and technical blockers early, and collaborate with engineering leadership to develop effective solutions.
• Evaluate and recommend practical design approaches balancing:
• Electrical performance
• Mechanical constraints
• Manufacturing capability
• Product requirements

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Manufacturing Support

• Partner closely with:
• Electrical Engineering teams
• Mechanical Engineering teams
• Technical Program Managers
• Signal Integrity/Power Integrity teams
• Manufacturing and supplier engineering teams
• Resolve PCB design challenges through effective technical communication and collaboration.
• Work with DFM engineers during project initiation to validate manufacturing requirements and PCB fabrication constraints.
• Collaborate with external PCB suppliers and manufacturing partners to address:
• Design-for-manufacturing (DFM) concerns
• Yield improvement opportunities
• Production readiness challenges
• Support successful transition of designs from engineering development into manufacturing.

Required Qualifications:

• 8+ years of experience in complex PCB design and layout engineering.
• 5+ years of hands-on experience using Cadence Allegro PCB Design tools (Version 23.1 or newer preferred).
• Strong understanding of PCB design principles, layout methodologies, and manufacturing processes.
• Experience designing high-density, complex electronic assemblies.
• Strong understanding of mechanical considerations in electronics product design.
• Excellent problem-solving skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related technical field.
• Experience implementing PCB miniaturization techniques for compact consumer electronics products.
• Experience designing PCBs for:
• Wearable devices
• Mobile electronics
• Small-form-factor embedded systems
• Advanced consumer hardware products
• Experience working with rigid-flex and flexible PCB technologies.
• Experience collaborating directly with PCB fabrication and assembly suppliers.

Russell Tobin is a leading minority-owned professional and technical recruitment and staffing advisory organization. We are comprised of specialized practices focusing on a variety of skill sets and industries. Having a depth and breadth of industry expertise, our subject matter experts are able to provide tailored and swift sourcing solutions to fulfill client hiring needs. In other words, we connect top talent with companies. We are the staffing arm of the Pride Global network, a minority-owned integrated human capital solutions firm, with additional offerings in vendor management, payroll programs, and business process optimization.

Russell Tobin offers eligible employee’s comprehensive healthcare coverage (medical, dental, and vision plans), supplemental coverage (accident insurance, critical illness insurance and hospital indemnity), 401(k)-retirement savings, life & disability insurance, an employee assistance program, legal support, auto, home insurance, pet insurance and employee discounts with preferred vendors.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Russell Tobin is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of the race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, reproductive health decision making, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Fair Chance Employment

Russell Tobin is a Fair Chance employer. We consider all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with applicable state and local Fair Chance laws and ordinances, including, the California Fair Chance Act and all applicable local Fair Chance ordinances.

Accommodations

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, or to perform the essential functions of this role, please contact us.

Only applicable for San Francisco Candidates:

Under the San Francisco Lactation in the Workplace Ordinance, we will provide written notice of lactation accommodation rights, and this notice will automatically be given upon hiring, any inquiry of parental leave or lactation accommodation.