PCB Layout Engineer

Senior PCB Design Engineer
Cambridge area | £45,000-£50,000 base
Hybrid: 3 days on-site
We're partnered with an engineering consultancy working on advanced electronics systems used in the Defence, Space, Security and Industrial sectors. This role sits within the manufacturing and hardware function and carries ownership of PCB layout capability across the business.

What you'll work on

You'll take responsibility for PCB layout delivery and capability, working alongside RF, digital, analogue, power, and mechanical engineers.

Typical work includes:

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  Converting engineers' schematics into manufacturable PCB designs
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  High-complexity PCB layout using Altium
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  Defining and negotiating stack-ups with manufacturers
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  Designing PCBs for RF, antenna, and mixed-signal systems
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  Generating manufacturing data packs and BOM automation
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  Managing PCB libraries, footprints, and scripts
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  Owning supplier relationships with PCB manufacturers and build houses
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  Tracking external deliverables and reporting into project managers
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  Running and contributing to internal and external design reviews

This role goes beyond layout execution. You'll help:

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  Define metrics to estimate PCB complexity
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  Improve layout efficiency and throughput
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  Shape how PCB work is planned and delivered across projects

Background that fits

Essential

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  HNC/HND or degree in Electronic or Electrical Engineering
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  5+ years experience in PCB design and electronics hardware delivery
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  Strong Altium PCB layout experience
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  Experience setting PCB stack-ups
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  Design for Manufacture (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA)
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  Confident working directly with suppliers

Strong advantage

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  Experience with RF boards, including RF or antenna-related layouts
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  Product development background
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  Comfortable co-designing with RF and antenna engineers

Tools & standards

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  Altium Designer (essential)
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  Siemens PADS (legacy - beneficial)
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  IPC standards for high-reliability designs
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  EMI/EMC best practice
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  SMT design experience

Team & environment

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  Multidisciplinary hardware team
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  Direct reporting line into the Director of Hardware
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  Opportunity to influence process, efficiency, and capability, not just deliver boards
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  Mix of commercial, industrial, and defence projects.

Interview process

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  Initial telephone interview with Hiring Manager
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  On-site stage including:
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    Technical discussion
  • 
    PCB CAD skills demonstration
  • 
    Conversation with RF or antenna engineers

Location & package

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  Based just south of Cambridge
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  £45,000-£50,000 base salary
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  Hybrid working (3 days on-site)
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  Career progression across technical and capability leadership paths
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  Support for professional development
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  Collaborative working environment with regular team events