PCB Layout Engineer at Cowboyspace — San Carlos, CA

About the Role

The Avionics Team is looking for a PCB Layout Engineer to own the design and implementation of high-performance printed circuit boards that power our spacecraft systems. In this role, you will work closely with electrical, mechanical, manufacturing, and test engineers to develop complex multilayer boards supporting power electronics, compute hardware, communications systems, and mission-critical avionics. You will be responsible for translating schematics into manufacturable layouts while balancing signal integrity, power integrity, thermal performance, and reliability requirements for the space environment.

Responsibilities

• Layout of complex multilayer PCBs for spacecraft avionics, power systems, RF systems, and compute hardware
• Collaborate with electrical engineers to translate schematics into production-ready PCB designs
• Define stackups and routing strategies for high-speed digital interfaces, power distribution networks, and mixed-signal designs
• Perform signal integrity, power integrity, impedance control, and design rule analysis
• Work closely with mechanical engineers to ensure proper board fit, thermal performance, and system integration
• Generate fabrication, assembly, and manufacturing documentation packages
• Partner with suppliers and contract manufacturers to support board fabrication, assembly, and bring-up activities
• Drive DFM, DFA, and DFT best practices throughout the design process
• Contribute to the development of internal PCB design standards and layout methodologies

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, or related field
• 1-5+ years of experience in PCB layout for complex electronic systems
• Experience with industry-standard PCB design tools such as Altium Designer, Cadence Allegro, or Mentor Graphics
• Experience designing multilayer boards with controlled impedance, high-speed interfaces, and dense component placement
• Understanding of signal integrity, power integrity, grounding, and EMI/EMC considerations
• Experience creating manufacturing documentation and supporting board fabrication and assembly

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience designing PCB layouts for aerospace, defense, satellite, or other high-reliability systems
• Experience with high-speed interfaces such as DDR, PCIe, Ethernet, SerDes, or FPGA-based systems
• Familiarity with RF layout techniques and mixed-signal board design
• Experience supporting environmental testing including vibration, thermal vacuum, and EMI/EMC testing
• Knowledge of IPC standards and design for manufacturability best practices
• Experience working in fast-paced startup environments
• Experience with component creation, verification, and library management

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $128,000 - $160,000 annually. The actual base salary offered will depend on factors such as job-related skills, experience, qualifications, and internal equity.

• Equity in Cowboy Space Corp.
• Employees and their eligible dependents may enroll in medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement savings plan
• Paid time off
• 10 paid holidays per calendar year
• Paid parental leave
• Relocation assistance if applicable
• Daily lunch in the office and a fully stocked kitchen with beverages and snacks

ITAR Requirements

Export Control Requirement: To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about ITAR here.

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