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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and maintain complex PCB layouts and schematics for innovative defence projects.
- Company: Join a global team of 54k+ engineers working on cutting-edge technology.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, private medical insurance, and a personalised career path.
- Why this job: Be part of exciting engineering projects that make a real difference in the world.
- Qualifications: Proficiency in ECAD software and strong PCB design principles 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 tomorrow\’s world today!
Job Description
Are you passionate about high-reliability PCB design in mission-critical environments? We\’re 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 We\’re 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 Medical Insurance
- Pension Scheme
- Cycle-to-work Scheme among many additional benefits
- Social atmosphere, regular gatherings, and team buildings
- Flexible way of working (role dependent)
Videos To Watch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkxOA3gn_R4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNPH_sAEOn0
ECAD Engineer employer: ALTEN
Contact Detail:
ALTEN 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 projects using these tools can significantly boost your confidence and demonstrate your capabilities during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the defence and aerospace sectors. Attend industry events, webinars, or local meetups to connect with people who work in similar roles. This can provide you with valuable insights into the company culture and potentially lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your knowledge of industry standards like IPC standards and DO-254. Being well-versed in these standards will not only help you in the role but also show your commitment to high-reliability applications, which is crucial for this position.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience with generating production-ready documentation and managing component libraries. Be ready to share specific examples from your past work that highlight your attention to detail and ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams.
We think you need these skills to ace ECAD Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the key responsibilities and qualifications required for the ECAD Engineer position. Tailor your application to highlight relevant experience in PCB design and ECAD tools.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise your proficiency with ECAD software like Altium Designer, Mentor Graphics, or Cadence Allegro. Provide specific examples of past projects where you designed complex PCB layouts or managed component libraries.
Showcase Team Collaboration: Since the role involves working closely with electrical and mechanical teams, mention any previous experiences where you successfully collaborated across disciplines. This will demonstrate your ability to fit into their multi-disciplinary engineering team.
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 engineering role focused on high-reliability applications.
How to prepare for a job interview at ALTEN
✨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. Being able to articulate your understanding of these standards during the interview will demonstrate your commitment to high-quality design practices.
✨Emphasise Team Collaboration
Since this role involves working closely with electrical and mechanical teams, be ready to share examples of how you've successfully collaborated across disciplines in past projects. This will show that you're a team player who values communication.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions related to PCB design principles, DRC, ERC, and signal integrity checks. Brush up on these topics and be ready to explain your thought process and problem-solving approach in detail.
