At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and layout complex multilayer PCBs for defence and aerospace applications.
- Company: Join a leading tech firm at the forefront of defence and cyber technology.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, annual bonus, and relocation support.
- Other info: Opportunities for career progression from Senior to Principal Engineer.
- Why this job: Make a real-world impact on national security through advanced technology.
- Qualifications: Degree in Engineering or equivalent experience in PCB design.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Location: Berkshire based, looking for relocating candidates.
Working Pattern: Full-time onsite due to work nature / exposure.
Security Clearance: Must be eligible for Developed Vetting (DV) clearance.
Join a team at the cutting edge of defence and cyber technology, delivering advanced solutions that protect critical information and support mission-critical operations worldwide. Whether you're an experienced PCB Designer looking to step into a Senior role or an established Principal Engineer seeking greater technical influence, this is an opportunity to work on highly secure, technically challenging programmes that make a real-world impact.
Our Cyber Business Unit develops advanced cryptographic and key management solutions, enabling secure communications across tactical and strategic defence environments. You'll play a key role in designing complex PCB solutions for ground-breaking research, development, and production programmes ranging from thousands to millions of pounds in value.
The Opportunity
As a Senior or Principal PCB Layout Engineer, you'll be responsible for the design and layout of complex multilayer PCBs (4-20 layers) across defence, aerospace, security, and space applications. You'll collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams to develop high-reliability hardware solutions, supporting projects from concept through to manufacture.
Key responsibilities include:
- Designing complex rigid, semi-rigid, and flex-rigid PCBs incorporating through, buried, and blind vias
- Producing layouts for analogue, RF, digital, power, and high-speed designs
- Ensuring designs meet EMC, signal integrity, security, and TEMPEST requirements
- Working closely with hardware engineers to define routing strategies, impedance control, and design constraints
- Incorporating DFM, DFT, and production test requirements into designs
- Liaising with PCB fabricators and assembly houses to support successful manufacture
- Supporting design reviews and contributing to continuous improvement initiatives
- Estimating design effort and delivering against programme schedules
- At Principal level, contributing to technical proposals, bids, and mentoring less experienced engineers
What We're Looking For
Essential:
- Degree in Engineering, Science, Mathematics or equivalent industry experience
- Strong background in PCB design, routing, and layout of complex electronic assemblies
- Experience designing multilayer, high-density PCBs
- Expertise with industry-standard PCB design toolsets
- Excellent knowledge of IPC standards and routing best practices
- Proven track record delivering complex designs involving high-speed digital, RF, analogue, and power electronics
- Experience implementing DFM and DFT methodologies
Highly Desirable:
- Signal integrity analysis experience
- Understanding of power distribution and thermal design considerations
- Experience with Gerber and ODB++ data
- Altium Designer and/or PADS expertise
- Schematic capture experience
- Windchill version control knowledge
Why Join?
- Up to 10% annual bonus.
- £5,000 annual DV allowance once achieved the clearance.
- Relocation opportunity available, case by case.
- Work on nationally significant cyber and defence programmes.
- Exposure to cutting-edge aerospace, space, and security technologies.
- Clear progression from Senior to Principal and beyond.
If you're passionate about complex PCB design and want to work on projects that directly support national security and advanced technology development, I’d love to hear from you.
Senior / Principal PCB Design Engineer in York employer: Defence
Join a leading defence technology company in Berkshire, where you'll be at the forefront of innovation in cyber and aerospace solutions. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, we offer clear progression paths from Senior to Principal Engineer, alongside competitive benefits such as an annual bonus and relocation support. Our collaborative work culture fosters creativity and technical excellence, making it an ideal environment for those passionate about making a real-world impact in national security.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior / Principal PCB Design Engineer in York
✨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 Defence for a Senior / Principal 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 Senior / Principal PCB Design Engineer in York
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at Defence, 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 Defence, 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 Defence
✨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 Defence.
✨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 Defence. 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 Defence love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
