PCB Designer (Contract)

PCB Designer (Contract)

Full-Time 50000 - 70000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Echelon Partners

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Design and develop cutting-edge high-speed PCBs for advanced computing systems.
  • Company: Join a fast-growing hardware engineering team at the forefront of technology.
  • Benefits: Competitive pay, flexible working conditions, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Dynamic work environment with a focus on collaboration and continuous improvement.
  • Why this job: Be part of innovative projects that shape the future of AI and high-performance computing.
  • Qualifications: Strong experience in high-speed PCB design and familiarity with advanced interfaces.

The predicted salary is between 50000 - 70000 £ per year.

We are seeking experienced PCB Design Engineers to join a fast-growing advanced hardware engineering environment, developing next-generation high-performance compute platforms. This role will focus on the design and development of complex, high-speed digital boards supporting extremely demanding bandwidth, signal integrity, and power delivery requirements. The successful candidate will work closely with hardware, SI/PI, systems, and manufacturing teams across the full product lifecycle from concept through production. The work involves advanced board architecture and high-speed interconnect challenges associated with modern AI compute, accelerator, networking, and HPC-class systems.

Key Responsibilities

  • Design and develop complex high-speed multilayer PCBs for advanced systems
  • Work on PCIe Gen6 and other ultra-high-speed serial interfaces
  • Develop PCB layouts with strong consideration for SI/PI, EMC, manufacturability, and thermal performance
  • Collaborate with hardware engineers, SI/PI engineers, mechanical teams, and manufacturing partners
  • Support schematic capture, floor planning, placement, routing, stack-up definition, and constraint management
  • Drive board designs from early architecture through prototype, validation, and production
  • Support debugging and bring-up activities where required
  • Work closely with external fabrication and assembly vendors
  • Contribute to design reviews and engineering process improvements

Required Experience

  • Strong experience in high-speed digital PCB design
  • Experience with PCIe, SerDes, DDR, Ethernet, or other high-speed interfaces
  • Strong Cadence Xpedition/Expedition experience
  • Experience designing complex multilayer PCBs
  • Understanding of signal integrity and power integrity fundamentals
  • Experience with controlled impedance and high-speed routing constraints
  • Experience taking hardware designs through full product lifecycle
  • Ability to work within a fast-moving engineering environment

Desirable Experience

  • PCIe Gen5/Gen6 experience
  • AI accelerator, networking, HPC, datacentre, telecoms, or server hardware experience
  • Exposure to SI/PI simulation tools
  • Knowledge of high-current PDN design
  • Experience with manufacturing and DFM/DFT processes
  • Familiarity with compliance and EMC considerations
  • Experience supporting board bring-up and hardware validation

PCB Designer (Contract) employer: Echelon Partners

Join a dynamic and innovative team as a PCB Designer in a fast-growing advanced hardware engineering environment, where your expertise will contribute to the development of cutting-edge high-performance compute platforms. Our collaborative work culture fosters creativity and professional growth, offering opportunities to engage with cross-functional teams throughout the entire product lifecycle. Located in a vibrant tech hub, we provide a stimulating environment that encourages continuous learning and offers competitive benefits, making us an excellent employer for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers.

Echelon Partners

Contact Details:

Echelon Partners Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land PCB Designer (Contract)

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the PCB design field and let them know you're on the hunt for opportunities. Attend industry meetups or webinars to meet potential employers and showcase your skills.

Tip Number 2

Show off your portfolio! Create a digital portfolio that highlights your best PCB designs and projects. This will give you an edge during interviews, as it allows you to demonstrate your experience with high-speed digital PCB design and complex multilayer boards.

Tip Number 3

Prepare for technical interviews! Brush up on your knowledge of PCIe, SerDes, and signal integrity fundamentals. Be ready to discuss your past projects and how you've tackled challenges in high-speed routing and board bring-up.

Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! We’ve got a range of exciting opportunities waiting for talented PCB designers like you. Don’t miss out on the chance to join a fast-growing team focused on cutting-edge technology.

We think you need these skills to ace PCB Designer (Contract)

PCB Design
High-Speed Digital PCB Design
PCIe Gen6
Signal Integrity (SI)
Power Integrity (PI)
Cadence Xpedition/Expedition
Multilayer PCB Design

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the PCB Designer role. Highlight your experience with high-speed digital PCB design and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills match our needs!

Showcase Your Skills:Don’t just list your skills; demonstrate them! Include specific examples of your work with PCIe, SerDes, or any high-speed interfaces. We love seeing how you’ve tackled challenges in past projects.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Explain why you're passionate about PCB design and how you can contribute to our team. We appreciate a personal touch that shows us who you are beyond your qualifications.

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!

How to prepare for a job interview at Echelon Partners

Know Your PCB Basics

Before the interview, brush up on your knowledge of high-speed digital PCB design. Be ready to discuss your experience with PCIe, SerDes, and other interfaces. This will show that you understand the technical requirements of the role and can hit the ground running.

Showcase Your Collaboration Skills

Since this role involves working closely with various teams, prepare examples of how you've successfully collaborated in the past. Highlight any experiences where you worked with hardware engineers or manufacturing partners to solve complex problems.

Prepare for Technical Questions

Expect to face technical questions related to signal integrity, power integrity, and thermal performance. Brush up on these topics and be ready to explain how you've applied this knowledge in your previous projects. It’s a great way to demonstrate your expertise.

Discuss Your Design Process

Be prepared to walk through your design process from concept to production. Discuss how you handle schematic capture, floor planning, and routing. This will give the interviewers insight into your methodology and how you approach complex challenges.