PCB Design Engineer

Expleo is a leading Global Engineering Services Provider with UK presence in 10 locations. We are seeking a PCB Design Engineer to provide PCB design services to our client in Plymouth.  The successful candidate is expected to be conversant with the latest technology in PCB design and fabrication, using it to add value to our client’s designs by improving design integrity, yield, testability & manufacturability.  The role is expected to be remote after a week of orientation/IT provisioning.  The successful candidate should ideally have experience designing PCBs for high reliability applications.

We are looking for an energetic and driven engineer with broad expertise, however of particular interest would be candidates with (in order of priority) military, marine, aerospace or rail experience.

This role represents a great opportunity to work on cutting edge technology projects.  Valued attributes are a team player who can use their initiative and has a real passion for engineering with an attention to detail, combined with a thorough, methodical approach to problem solving.

• The PCB Design Engineer will perform, but is not limited to the following type of activities centred on generation of PCB designs into all phases of the development programme of cutting-edge systems for maritime applications:
  • Creates new components as needed adding to the client library
  • Performs component placement whilst trading off the myriad of requirements that may conflict
  • Generates routing whilst minimising noise/EMI
  • Implements strategies for management of thermal issues
  • Adheres to the specific client design rules and understands the capabilities of specified PCB manufacturer to ensure a high yield
  • Works with mechanical designers to ensure electronics and mechanical parts mesh perfectly

• Degree level qualification in Electrical/Electronic Engineering
• A lower qualification would be acceptable for example HNC/HND should the candidate be able to demonstrate significant demonstrable experience in lieu

• Understands and ensures traces are wide enough for the current they will carry and spaced adequately to avoid shorting or interference.
• Able to optimise the design to consider manufacturing & assembly (DFM/DFA)
• Able to optimise the design to consider test (DFT)
• Maintains consistency in component orientation to reduce assembly errors and improve inspection.
• Able to place board-to-wire and board to board connectors appropriately.
• Able to group components with related functions together to shorten trace lengths and simplify routing.
• Understands and able to place decoupling capacitors appropriately
• Understand segregation of analogue and digital circuits
• Understand and able to accommodate EMI/EMC considerations deploying solid ground planes and shielding as appropriate
• Able to locate high-power components appropriately or deploy strategies to transfer heat away from the component(s)/board.
• Able to optimise the design to keep heat-generating components away from sensitive components and ensure adequate spacing between them to avoid hot spots
• Able to route high-speed signals appropriately using uninterrupted ground planes to maintain controlled impedance.
• Understands and able to keep high-speed signal paths as short and direct as possible
• Understands and able to deploy solid ground planes to provide stable reference points and a clear return path for signals, helping to reduce noise and interference
• Understands layer stack design criteria

• Experience in PCB design delivering complex designs
• Proficiency using Altium/KiCad.
• Familiarity with STM32, PCI Bus & d.c./d.c. conversion is desirable
• Experience of delivery high reliability electronics for hostile environments in industries such as military, marine, aerospace, or rail is desirable

• SC Cleared
• Ability and willingness to travel to and work from the client site at Plymouth for one week orientation/IT provisioning (remote thereafter)

• Collaborative working environment – we stand shoulder to shoulder with our clients and our peers through good times and challenges  
• We empower all passionate technology loving professionals by allowing them to expand their skills and take part in inspiring projects   
• Expleo Academy - enables you to acquire and develop the right skills by delivering a suite of accredited training courses  
• Competitive company benefits
• Always working as one team, our people are not afraid to think big and challenge the status quo 

• As a Disability Confident Committed Employer we have committed to:
  • Ensure our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible
  • Communicating and promoting vacancies
  • Offering an interview to disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for the job
  • Anticipating and providing reasonable adjustments as required
  • Supporting any existing employee who acquires a disability or long term health condition, enabling them to stay in work at least one activity that will make a difference for disabled people

“We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age”. 

We treat everyone fairly and equitably across the organisation, including providing any additional support and adjustments needed for everyone to thrive