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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and maintain complex PCB layouts and schematics for defence and aerospace projects.
- Company: Join a global team of 54k+ engineers working on innovative projects across 30 countries.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, private medical insurance, and a personalised career development plan.
- Why this job: Be part of a passionate team driving innovation in high-reliability engineering.
- Qualifications: Proficiency in ECAD software and experience in PCB design for mission-critical applications required.
- Other info: Must have lived in the UK for the past 5 years for security clearance.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Company Description
Are you passionate about engineering? Do you want to make a difference?
You could be one of our 54k+ colleagues in over 30 countries working on inspiring projects in the most innovative companies.
Join us and start building tomorrows world today!
Job Description
Are you passionate about high-reliability PCB design in mission-critical environments? Were hiring an ECAD Engineer to join a cutting-edge defence & aerospace project based in Edinburgh. This role is ideal for someone with strong experience in schematic capture and PCB layout using industry-standard ECAD tools, looking to work on-site as part of a multi-disciplinary engineering team.
Key Responsibilities:
- Design and maintain complex PCB layouts and schematics using Altium Designer, Mentor Graphics, or Cadence Allegro
- Create and manage component libraries, including footprints and symbols
- Work closely with electrical and mechanical teams to ensure board layout accuracy and fit
- Perform Design Rule Checks (DRC), Electrical Rule Checks (ERC), and signal integrity checks
- Generate manufacturing documentation: Gerber files, assembly drawings, and BOMs
- Support prototype builds and liaise with PCB fabricators and assemblers
- Use PLM tools (e.g., Arena, Windchill) for data management and configuration control
- Contribute to the continuous improvement of ECAD tools, workflows, and standards
Qualifications
What Were Looking For:
- Proficiency in ECAD software (Altium, Mentor Graphics, or Cadence)
- Strong understanding of PCB design principles for high-reliability applications
- Experience generating production-ready documentation
- Familiarity with industry standards in aerospace or defence is a plus (IPC standards, DO-254, etc.)
- Comfortable working in a team environment and communicating across disciplines
- Must have lived in the UK continuously for the past 5 years to meet Security Clearance requirements
Additional Information
Why join us?
We foster a community of dually talented individuals who are both entrepreneurs and technology specialists. Our teams embody the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship, enabling us to develop solutions most efficiently.
Our commitment to sustainable growth is unwavering, and we continuously strive for accelerated transformation and continuous improvement. Through ALTEN labs, mentoring programs, internal universities, and more, we are always pushing boundaries and embracing new possibilities.
We offer incredible opportunities to join inspiring projects in the most innovative companies.
We prioritise your career development with personalised support plans tailored to your own aspirations. We\’re here to empower you and help you reach your full potential.
Join our passionate team and start building tomorrow, today!
In short you get:
- A personalised career path and a rewarding management style
- A chance to work on the most exciting engineering projects and technologies along with Premium Customers
- A huge diversity of engineering projects and industries
- A competitive salary
- Private MedicalInsurance
- Pension Scheme
- Cycle-to-work Scheme among many additional benefits
- Social atmosphere, regular gatherings, and team buildings
- Flexible way of working (role dependent)
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ECAD Engineer employer: Alten Ltd
Contact Detail:
Alten Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land ECAD Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific ECAD tools mentioned in the job description, such as Altium Designer, Mentor Graphics, or Cadence Allegro. Having hands-on experience or even completing relevant online courses can give you a significant edge during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the defence and aerospace sectors. Attend industry events or join online forums to connect with current employees or recruiters. This can provide you with insider knowledge about the company culture and expectations.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your previous projects in detail, especially those involving high-reliability PCB design. Be ready to explain your design choices and how you ensured compliance with industry standards like IPC or DO-254.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your teamwork skills by preparing examples of how you've collaborated with electrical and mechanical teams in past roles. Highlighting your ability to communicate effectively across disciplines will demonstrate that you're a good fit for their multi-disciplinary environment.
We think you need these skills to ace ECAD Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience with ECAD tools like Altium Designer, Mentor Graphics, or Cadence Allegro. Emphasise your proficiency in PCB design principles and any relevant projects you've worked on.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for engineering and your specific interest in the defence and aerospace sectors. Mention how your skills align with the job responsibilities and how you can contribute to the team.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your application, focus on your experience with schematic capture, PCB layout, and generating production-ready documentation. If you have familiarity with industry standards like IPC or DO-254, be sure to include that as well.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your CV and cover letter for any errors or typos. A polished application reflects your attention to detail, which is crucial for an ECAD Engineer role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Alten Ltd
✨Showcase Your ECAD Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your experience with ECAD tools like Altium Designer, Mentor Graphics, or Cadence Allegro. Highlight specific projects where you designed complex PCB layouts and how you ensured their reliability in mission-critical environments.
✨Understand the Industry Standards
Familiarise yourself with relevant industry standards such as IPC standards and DO-254. Demonstrating knowledge of these standards during the interview will show that you are well-prepared for the role and understand the importance of compliance in defence and aerospace projects.
✨Emphasise Team Collaboration
Since the role involves working closely with electrical and mechanical teams, be ready to share examples of how you've successfully collaborated in a multi-disciplinary environment. Discuss how you communicate effectively across disciplines to ensure project success.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions related to PCB design principles, Design Rule Checks (DRC), and Electrical Rule Checks (ERC). Brush up on these topics and be ready to explain your thought process and problem-solving approach when faced with design challenges.
