Junior PCB Layout Engineer

Who Are We?

At HyPrix, we're building attritable payload delivery systems for autonomy. Things that fly fast, we're enabling them with conscious software. Replicating the capabilities of expensive conventional frontline systems, we're building the cheapest micro and cruise missile systems on the planet. Built for a war of attrition, built for the era of software-defined warfare, built to cater to the front lines of battlefields where no man should stand in the future.

Learn more about us:

What You'll Do

The Junior PCB Layout Engineer converts schematics into manufacturable PCB layouts for avionics boards, interface boards, test fixtures and bring-up boards. The position holder works with the guidance of the Avionics Hardware Design Engineer, and receives more complex boards with experience.

This role does not own circuit design or component selection. The Avionics Hardware Design Engineer owns them. The position holder tells the engineer early about each layout, manufacturability or signal integrity risk in a schematic.

• Schematic to layout. Do component placement and routing for multi-layer boards from the released schematic and the layout constraints. Start with test fixtures and interface boards, then move to flight boards.
  

• Mechanical integration. Agree the board outline, mounting holes, connector positions, keep-out areas and height limits with the mechanical team. Exchange ECAD and MCAD data with the mechanical CAD system.
  

• Layout rules. Apply the routing rules from the engineer: trace width for current, clearance for voltage, differential pairs, controlled impedance and return paths. Place decoupling components and ground planes correctly.
  

• Stack-up. Prepare the board stack-up and the impedance calculations with the PCB fabricator, for review by the engineer.
  

• Component library. Create and check schematic symbols, footprints and 3D models to IPC standards. Keep the component library clean and consistent.
  

• Checks and reviews. Run the design rule checks and DFM checks before each release. Present each layout at the design review, and implement the review feedback.
  

• Manufacturing outputs. Prepare the Gerber or ODB++ files, drill files, pick-and-place files, fabrication and assembly drawings, and the BOM.
  

• Vendors. Send the release data to the PCB fabricator and the assembler, answer their questions and close their DFM and DFA queries.
  

• Changes and release. Update layouts and drawings per approved engineering changes. Release each design through the PLM system with correct revision control.
  

• Bring-up support. Support board bring-up and first article inspection. Record layout lessons, and apply them to the next revision.
  

Requirements

Minimum Experience (Years)

1 year of PCB layout. Fresh graduates who designed a PCB that was fabricated, assembled and tested can also apply.

HyPrix prefers this experience, but it is not mandatory. Demonstrated capability is more important than years.

Required Skills

• PCB layout tool. Hands-on layout experience in Altium Designer, with KiCad, OrCAD/Allegro or Xpedition also acceptable.
  

• Real boards. At least one PCB that you laid out and that was fabricated, assembled and tested, in a job or in a project.
  

• Schematics and components. Ability to read and interpret schematics. Knowledge of common component packages, for example SMD, through-hole, QFN and basic BGA.
  

• Fabrication and assembly. Knowledge of PCB layers, vias, solder mask, surface finishes, panels and basic fabrication design rules.
  

• Layout fundamentals. Basic knowledge of current capacity, grounding, return paths, decoupling and controlled impedance, and of their effect on layout.
  

• Footprints. Ability to create a footprint from a component datasheet.
  

• Teamwork and detail. Ability to take direction, work in a team and finish layouts quickly without errors.
  

• A diploma or bachelor's degree in electronics, electrical, electronics and communication or instrumentation engineering.
  

• Eligibility for background verification and security clearance. This position handles export-controlled and commercially confidential information.
  

Advantageous Skills/Qualifications

• An IPC CID certification.
  

• Knowledge of IPC-2221, IPC-2222, IPC-7351, IPC-6012 Class 3 and IPC-A-610.
  

• Layout experience with power boards, high-current distribution or mixed-signal boards.
  

• Experience with boards of 6 or more layers and with BGA fanout.
  

• ECAD and MCAD co-design experience with SolidWorks or Siemens NX.
  

• Experience with impedance calculators, or with signal integrity and power integrity tools.
  

• Experience with Altium 365 or other version-controlled design data, and with layout scripts.
  

• Soldering, rework and basic lab bring-up skills.
  

• Layout experience in a defence, aerospace or automotive electronics company.
  

Benefits

Why Join HyPrix?

HyPrix is a lean team with no rule book. Each person receives an end goal tied to a real product, and decides how to achieve it.

The Junior PCB Layout Engineer lays out real flight and test hardware from the first month, with direct guidance from the avionics team.