Lead PCB Designer – Space & Defense Technology

Job description

The Mission We are a startup building high-consequence hardware for space and defense applications. We operate in a fast-paced environment that relies on technical excellence and individual ownership. We are looking for a PCB Designer who can take a set of mechanical constraints and electrical requirements and independently deliver a manufacturing-ready KiCad project. You will be trusted to own your work from concept to hardware validation. The Role You will own the entire PCB lifecycle, from schematic capture and component selection to routing, fab handoff, and board bring-up. You will work directly with engineering leadership to integrate complex electronics into tight mechanical envelopes. End-to-End Ownership: Translate raw circuit requirements into schematics, design the layout, and generate clean manufacturing. High-Voltage Layout: Route boards that handle extreme potentials (5kV - 20kV+). You must deeply understand creepage, clearance, dielectric withstand, and arcing mitigation. High-Speed/RF Considerations: Execute impedance matching and signal integrity practices for pulsed power systems and RF hardware. Fab & Assembly Handoff: Manage relationships with board houses and assembly partners, independently resolving any DFM issues that arise. Hardware Debugging: Take the lead on board bring-up, including soldering first prototypes and validating your designs on the bench. Who You Are Autonomous: You are proactive and self-directed. If a component goes out of stock or a constraint changes, you find a solution and update the design independently. Advanced KiCad Proficiency: You have extensive, verifiable experience designing complex, multi-layer rigid and flex/rigid-flex boards specifically using KiCad. Physics & Safety Oriented: You understand that high-voltage and pulsed power environments are unforgiving. You design with safety, isolation, and thermal management at the forefront. Hands-on: You are comfortable working in the lab, capable of advanced soldering (SMD, 0402s, QFNs), and proficient with oscilloscopes and logic analyzers. Why Join Us? Direct Impact: Your boards will be integrated into critical defense and aerospace systems. Technical Freedom: We value data-driven engineering. If you can justify a design decision with physics, we build it. Requirements Must be a US Citizen (required to comply with ITAR/EAR regulations for defense technology).