At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and layout complex PCBs for high-reliability applications in defence and aerospace.
- Company: Join a specialist engineering firm focused on innovative electronics.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, annual bonus, private medical, and flexible working hours.
- Other info: Flexible working options and opportunities for both full-time and part-time roles.
- Why this job: Make a real-world impact with cutting-edge technology in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in PCB design and strong knowledge of routing practices required.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
PCB Design Engineer
Join a specialist engineering environment developing complex, high-reliability electronics for some of the most demanding applications in defence, aerospace, security and space.
You’ll play a key role in taking advanced PCB designs from initial requirements through to manufacture across multiple technical programmes.
Role Overview
Location
Maidenhead – On-site
Package
Competitive salary + annual bonus, private medical, pension and flexible benefits
Industry
Defence / Cyber Security / Aerospace Engineering
What You’ll Be Doing
- Designing and laying out complex 4–20 layer rigid, semi-rigid and flexible PCBs across high-reliability applications.
- Working across analogue, RF, digital, power and high-speed circuitry, including designs requiring buried and blind vias.
- Translating hardware requirements into robust PCB layouts, covering impedance control, signal separation, EMC, TEMPEST and signal integrity.
- Building testability into designs while protecting the performance and reliability required by the wider hardware system.
- Collaborating closely with electronic and mechanical engineers throughout the design and review process.
- Working directly with PCB manufacturers and assembly partners to make sure designs meet stack-up, DRC, DFM and DFT requirements.
- Supporting the transition into manufacture alongside procurement, production and supply chain teams.
- Creating and maintaining CAD libraries, including symbols, footprints and associated design data.
- Managing PCB design activity across multiple concurrent development and production programmes.
- Providing realistic estimates for design effort, timescales, cost and technical risk.
- Contributing to technical proposals, bids and wider project planning.
- Improving PCB design tools, processes and techniques to increase quality, efficiency and consistency.
Main Skills Needed
- Strong commercial experience designing, routing and laying out complex, high-density PCBs.
- Experience working with multi-layer boards and a mixture of high-speed digital, RF, analogue and power circuitry.
- Confident designing with through-hole and fine-pitch SMT components.
- Strong knowledge of PCB routing practices, IPC standards and industry design guidelines.
- Hands-on experience with modern PCB layout and simulation tools, ideally Altium or PADS.
- Good understanding of DFM and DFT principles, including working with external fabrication and assembly suppliers.
- A degree in engineering, mathematics, science or equivalent relevant industry experience.
- Signal integrity analysis, power distribution, thermal design and schematic capture experience would be advantageous.
- Experience working with Gerber files, ODB++ or Windchill would also be useful.
- Able to communicate complex technical information clearly and work effectively across engineering disciplines.
- Due to the nature of the projects, you’ll need to be eligible to obtain and maintain the appropriate UK security clearance.
British citizenship and the relevant UK residency history will be required.
What’s in It for You
- Annual bonus scheme.
- Private medical cover.
- 25 days’ annual leave plus Bank Holidays, with the option to purchase another five days.
- Employer pension contribution.
- 4x life assurance.
- Flexible working hours, including the opportunity for a 1pm Friday finish.
- Additional flexible benefits, including cycle-to-work and will-writing schemes.
- Security clearance allowance where applicable.
- Both full-time and part-time applications considered.
- The chance to work on technically challenging, high-reliability electronics with genuine real-world impact.
We’re not box-tickers — if you’re close, reach out.
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company.
We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
By applying you are confirming you are happy to be added to the Addition Solutions mailing list regarding future suitable positions.
You can opt out of this at any time simply by contacting one of our consultants.
PCB Design Engineer in Maidenhead employer: Addition Careers
Join a dynamic and innovative cyber security technology company in Leeds, where you will play a crucial role as a Lead Product Manager. With a strong focus on personal development, hybrid working arrangements, and a supportive product-led culture, this is an excellent opportunity to shape the future of a growing SaaS platform while enjoying regular salary reviews and clear progression paths. Be part of a collaborative team that values diversity and encourages meaningful contributions to the business's success.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land PCB Design Engineer in Maidenhead
✨Join Aerospace Forums and Groups
Get involved in aerospace engineering forums and online communities, like the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics). It's a great way to meet industry peers and stay updated on job openings and trends in the field.
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye on upcoming aerospace conferences and events where you can network with professionals and showcase your interest. Events like the Farnborough International Airshow are not just about flying machines; they're a goldmine for connections and potential job leads.
✨Spotlight Your Projects
Make sure to highlight any hands-on experience or projects on your portfolio that showcase your skills in aerospace engineering. Employers love seeing practical applications of theoretical knowledge. Show us what you've got!
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
When you find companies you want to work for, head straight to their careers page to apply for full-time roles, like the one with Addition Careers for a PCB Design Engineer. This often puts your application in front of the right people faster than just waiting for job boards!
We think you need these skills to ace PCB Design Engineer in Maidenhead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at Addition Careers, make sure to highlight your technical expertise. Include specific software skills, like CAD tools or simulation software, and any relevant engineering projects you’ve worked on. This is your chance to really shine and showcase your engineering toolkit!
Don't Skip Your Projects!:Include a section in your CV dedicated to projects that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities in aerospace engineering. Whether it's a university project, an internship, or personal work, we love seeing how you’ve applied your skills in real-world scenarios. Make it clear what your role was and the impact of the project.
Show Your Passion in Your Cover Letter:At Addition Careers, we're not just looking for skills – we want to know why you’re passionate about aerospace engineering. Use your cover letter to express what excites you about aviation technology and your career goals. Share any relevant experiences or inspirations that have led you to apply for this full-time position.
Tailor Your CV for Aerospace:Make sure your CV is specifically tailored to aerospace engineering. Focus on your education, any certifications, and your work experience, ensuring you highlight aspects that relate directly to the role. Don’t forget to mention any internships or apprenticeships that have given you hands-on experience.
How to prepare for a job interview at Addition Careers
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Knowledge
Aerospace engineering is all about technical precision, so make sure you’re comfortable with key concepts like aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials science. We recommend going through any relevant coursework or projects you’ve worked on – these real-world examples can illustrate your understanding during the interview with Addition Careers.
✨Showcase Your Projects with Confidence
Make sure to have a portfolio ready that details any significant projects you've worked on, whether it’s a group assignment or a personal endeavour. Be prepared to discuss the challenges you faced, the tools you used, like CAD software, and what you learned from the experience, as this will show your problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Technical Interviews
Expect some technical questions or even problem-solving exercises during your interview with Addition Careers. Get familiar with design challenges or theoretical problems related to aerospace; this can range from calculating lift and drag forces to materials selection under stress. Practising these can help you feel more at ease when faced with tricky questions.
✨Emphasise Your Passion and Teamwork Skills
As a full-time candidate, it’s crucial to convey your passion for aerospace engineering and your ability to work in teams. Highlight any group projects or internships you've done, focusing on how you collaborated with others to achieve a goal. Companies like Addition Careers love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.