Location: Carlsbad, CA (Onsite SCIF)
Clearance Required: Active Secret Clearance
Employment Type: Contract (Full-Time)
Duration: 4–12 Months
Hourly Rate: $95/hr.
About the Opportunity
We are seeking highly skilled Expert PCB Designers to support a critical program in Carlsbad, CA as part of a subcontract engagement. Selected candidates will work onsite in a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) environment and must hold an active Secret clearance. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge defense and communications technology in a highly technical and collaborative environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and develop complex, multi-layer high-speed PCBs (up to 1 TB) incorporating HDI, fine pitch BGAs, and DDR4 with speeds up to 100 Gigabit Ethernet
- Perform digital high-speed, mixed RF/analog, microwave, and micro-power PWA layouts
- Develop multi-layer flex and rigid-flex circuit designs
- Execute RF layout development and wire bonding with proper circuit partitioning utilizing shield walls, mounting, and grounding requirements
- Apply RF routing and grounding techniques to achieve high isolation performance
- Perform impedance-controlled routing including micro-strip, strip-line, differential pair routing, matched lengths, lead length matching, and delay control
- Define blind and buried micro-vias for Class 3 PCB designs
- Work collaboratively with Mechanical Engineers (MEs) and Electrical Engineers (EEs) as well as fabrication vendors to define board profiles, technology selections, and stack-ups
- Incorporate complex mechanical definitions, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T), and controlled impedance requirements
- Utilize IDF/DXF and STEP 3D files for complex component mounting integration
- Ensure all designs comply with IPC standards, HDI requirements, EMI shielding specifications, and customer requirements
- Support Valor NPI processes for design validation and manufacturability
Required Qualifications
- Active Secret Security Clearance (required prior to start)
- Expert-level experience in PCB design with a focus on high-speed digital, RF/analog, and microwave applications
- Proficiency in Siemens Mentor Graphics VX and other industry-standard EDA/EDM tools
- Demonstrated experience with:
- HDI designs with high pin count and fine pitch BGAs (.4mm)
- RF transmission lines, micro-strip, and strip-line impedance design
- JTAG, DSP, DDR3/DDR4, LVDS, Rocket IO, SerDes, and 100 Gigabit Ethernet
- Low noise RF/analog circuitry design
- Class 3 PCB design standards
- Strong knowledge of PCB materials, laminates, fabrication, and assembly processes
- Familiarity with Valor NPI for new product introduction and DFM analysis
- Working knowledge of IPC standards, EMI shielding principles, and HDI design rules
- Ability to work onsite in a SCIF environment
Preferred Qualifications
- Prior experience supporting defense or government programs
- Experience working with fabrication vendors on board stack-up definition and technology selection
- Background in complex multi-layer flex and rigid-flex circuit design
- Familiarity with geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) and mechanical integration using IDF/DXF and STEP 3D files
Work Environment
This position requires 100% onsite presence at a classified SCIF facility in Carlsbad, CA. Candidates must be prepared to comply with all facility security protocols and requirements.
We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or veteran status.
