About Careertakes

👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Engineering (Autonomous Systems).

Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.

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Position Overview

The confidential client is seeking a PCB Layout Engineer I to perform component placement, trace routing, and physical design of printed circuit boards used in autonomous systems. You will translate schematics into production-ready layouts, apply and enforce design rules, generate manufacturing outputs, and coordinate with mechanical and manufacturing teams under the direction of senior engineering staff.

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What You’ll Do

• Perform component placement and trace routing for multi-layer PCBs using Altium Designer or equivalent EDA tools (KiCad, Cadence Allegro, etc.)
• Apply design rules for trace width, spacing, via size, and clearance per project requirements
• Create copper pours, stitching vias, and assign power planes
• Run Design Rule Checks (DRC) and Electrical Rule Checks (ERC); identify and resolve violations before review
• Generate manufacturing output files including Gerber, ODB++, drill files, and assembly drawings
• Coordinate with mechanical engineering on board outlines, keep-out zones, and connector placement
• Maintain and verify component footprint libraries against manufacturer datasheets
• Prepare layout documentation, constraint reports, and support design reviews
• Assist with ECOs, board revisions, and documentation updates

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Qualifications

• Must be located in the United States, within commuting distance of Charlotte, NC (Rock Hill, SC preferred)
• U.S. Person status required (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)); this role involves access to ITAR- and EAR-controlled technical data
• Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in electronics engineering technology, electrical engineering, or a related discipline — or equivalent practical experience
• Coursework or project experience in PCB layout or electronic assembly
• Familiarity with at least one PCB layout tool (Altium Designer, KiCad, Cadence Allegro, or equivalent)
• Understanding of PCB manufacturing constraints (trace/space minimums, via types, surface finishes)
• Knowledge of electronic component packages and land pattern standards

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Preferred Qualifications

• Internship or hands-on experience in PCB layout or electronics assembly
• Direct experience with Altium Designer
• Familiarity with IPC-7351 land pattern standards
• Exposure to surface-mount manufacturing processes (SMT)
• Coursework in electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) or transmission line theory
• Active or prior U.S. security clearance

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What We Look For

The ideal candidate has hands-on familiarity with PCB layout tools and an eye for the manufacturability constraints that determine whether a board can be produced cleanly. A willingness to learn impedance control, stackup design, and DFM practices is valued more than years of experience.

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Compensation & Location

• Employment type: Full-time
• Estimated salary: $103,230 per year (estimated)
• Location: Rock Hill, SC — within commuting distance of Charlotte, NC
• U.S. Person requirement applies due to controlled technical data access

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Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency

Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.

If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.