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:
Converting engineers' schematics into manufacturable PCB designs
High-complexity PCB layout using Altium
Defining and negotiating stack-ups with manufacturers
Designing PCBs for RF, antenna, and mixed-signal systems
Generating manufacturing data packs and BOM automation
Managing PCB libraries, footprints, and scripts
Owning supplier relationships with PCB manufacturers and build houses
Tracking external deliverables and reporting into project managers
Running and contributing to internal and external design reviews
This role goes beyond layout execution. You'll help:
Define metrics to estimate PCB complexity
Improve layout efficiency and throughput
Shape how PCB work is planned and delivered across projects
Background that fits
Essential
HNC/HND or degree in Electronic or Electrical Engineering
5+ years experience in PCB design and electronics hardware delivery
Strong Altium PCB layout experience
Experience setting PCB stack-ups
Design for Manufacture (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA)
Confident working directly with suppliers
Strong advantage
Experience with RF boards, including RF or antenna-related layouts
Product development background
Comfortable co-designing with RF and antenna engineers
Tools & standards
Altium Designer (essential)
Siemens PADS (legacy - beneficial)
IPC standards for high-reliability designs
EMI/EMC best practice
SMT design experience
Team & environment
Multidisciplinary hardware team
Direct reporting line into the Director of Hardware
Opportunity to influence process, efficiency, and capability, not just deliver boards
Mix of commercial, industrial, and defence projects.
Interview process
Initial telephone interview with Hiring Manager
On-site stage including:
Technical discussion
PCB CAD skills demonstration
Conversation with RF or antenna engineers
Location & package
Based just south of Cambridge
£45,000-£50,000 base salary
Hybrid working (3 days on-site)
Career progression across technical and capability leadership paths
Support for professional development
Collaborative working environment with regular team events