Job Title: PCB Layout Engineer V (AR Product Team)
Duration: 05+ Months
Location: Remote
Note: Onsite work is a possibility, with a strong preference for Sunnyvale, California
Summary:

• As a PCB Layout Engineer on AR Product Team, you will be responsible for driving world-class, complex PCB layouts that incorporate cutting-edge component and stack-up technologies. A core focus of this role is implementing miniaturization solutions within AR product designs. You will collaborate closely with internal electrical and mechanical engineers, DFM, SiPi, and other layout and library teams, as well as external suppliers.

Must-Have Skills:

• Senior-level experience with Cadence Allegro (v21).
• Rigid-flex and flexible circuit design experience.
• HDI (high-density interconnect) PCB design experience.
• Strong overall PCB layout/design background for complex boards.

Nice-to-Have Skills:

• Manufacturing/process exposure (overseeing or supervising manufacturing processes; design-for-manufacturability mindset).
• Production efficiency / continuous improvement (identify solutions to improve production efficiency).
• Strong communication & collaboration (verbal/written communication + team player; helpful when coordinating design + manufacturing).

Degrees/Certifications:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering.

Minimum Years of Experience:

• 10 +

Responsibilities:
Project Management & Execution:

• Manage multiple complex layout projects, providing timely status reports within systems.
• Lead designs from kick-off through tape-out, encompassing rigid, rigid-flex, and flex PCBs for both product and non-product/test projects.
• Proactively schedule and drive project meetings (Kick-off, Placement, Constraint, and Design Reviews) to ensure design verification using Meta's Design Traveler document.
• Create and modify engineering tool project templates, meta-data, configuration data, and rules.

Technical Expertise & Problem Solving:

• Apply a solid understanding of electrical engineering principles, particularly for power distribution, high-speed circuits, and RF signals.
• Identify project execution risks or slowdowns proactively and collaborate with managers and/or technical program managers to propose alternative PCB development workflow solutions.
• Understand and propose practical fit and function solutions related to miniaturization concepts.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Supplier Engagement:

• Proactively partner with EE Leads, Mechanical Engineering, TPMs, and other cross-functional teams (XFNs) to resolve design issues.
• Work with internal DFM engineers to confirm supplier requirements at project launch.
• Engage with external suppliers and Supplier Quality/Process Engineering (SQE/PE) to resolve DFM issues and ensure high-yield builds.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 8+ years of experience in complex PCB Design.
• 5+ years of experience using Allegro PCB Design Tools (version 23.1 or newer).
• Strong understanding of the mechanical aspects of electronics design.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools.

Preferred Qualifications:

• BS in Electrical Engineering.
• 3+ years of experience implementing miniaturization solutions in dense form-factor designs (e.g., wearable products, mobile phone design).

Key Projects/Day-to-Day Responsibilities:

• Research concepts and translate them into engineering plans/blueprints/graphics.
• Create CAD models and detailed drawings for new products/systems.
• Develop, build, and test prototypes; run evaluations/iterations.
• Assess prototypes to identify issues, risks, and failure points.
• Propose changes to improve production efficiency.
• Oversee/supervise manufacturing execution of the designs (coordinate through build/production).
• Working with electrical and mechanical engineers Defining the project, producing status reports and delivering boardfiles upon completion

Purpose/Size of this team & where does this position fit within the team:

• Collaborate with engineers to facilitate and lead project execution. Own the layout while the team handles the design.

Certain project that team is working on / what products are they supporting:

• Focus on prototype development and manufacturing within the Smart Glasses group, supporting the recently released product.

What makes this role attractive to top talent, and what unique value does it offer to the ideal candidate:

• Work on high-impact AR hardware (smart glasses) with visible ownership.
• Solve cutting-edge PCB challenges: rigid flex/flex, dense layouts, high-speed/RF, miniaturization.
• Partner closely with EE/ME, DFM/SiPi, and suppliers from kick-off through tape-out and builds.

Interview Process:

• How many rounds of interviews: 2 rounds

 
 
At SPECTRAFORCE, we are committed to maintaining a workplace that ensures fair compensation and wage transparency in adherence with all applicable state and local laws. This position’s starting pay is: $ 90.00/hr.