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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and develop innovative PCB solutions for cutting-edge technology projects.
- Company: Join Plextek, a leader in engineering and strategic innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, hybrid working, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in diverse sectors while collaborating with top engineers.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in PCB design, strong communication skills, and relevant degree required.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with excellent career growth and regular social events.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Your new career starts here with Plextek.
COMPANY VISION
Plextek is a leading choice for employees and customers for exceptional engineering and strategic innovation to create better, safer and more sustainable products and technologies.
OUR VALUES AND BELIEFS
Being a responsible business, we work with integrity and honesty. We share success with staff and with our communities. We embrace diversity in outlook and work as a team with colleagues, customers and suppliers to provide the best technical solution and professional service experience. We empower each other, we’re adaptable, show initiative and deliver on our commitments together.
THE ROLE
As an enthusiastic and dynamic Senior PCB Design Engineer, highly skilled in PCB design and layout, you will be joining our manufacturing team helping to bring design engineers’ ideas into reality. You will work with world class RF, digital, power and analogue electronics designers on leading edge technology developments in commercial, industrial and defence sectors. As part of a multi-disciplinary team, you will be responsible for timely delivery of PCB designs and be accustomed to being highly engaged in the collaborative design process that delivers working designs in an optimum timeframe to meet our commercial commitments.
A well organised and highly motivated individual with good communications skills, you will also be responsible for maintaining our technology edge with regards to PCB manufacturing and design by being actively involved in developing our relationship with suppliers of PCB CAD, PCB manufacturing services and other services associated with PCB technology. You will have experience of the design delivery process for releasing board information to PCB manufacturers and external PCB build contractors and be used to negotiating with suppliers to achieve the technical quality and timescales required to keep ahead in an increasingly competitive world. This role is more than a PCB designer – the right candidate will help to lead and develop our capability in this area, with a drive towards excellence, reporting to the Director of Hardware.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Generating manufacturable designs from engineers’ schematic.
- Schematic and PCB footprint library management, scripting for BoM and generating manufacturing data-packs and other automated tasks.
- Maintaining our relationship with suppliers involving auditing suppliers, managing supplier relationships and understanding advances in PCB technology solutions.
- Negotiating stack-ups, supplier timescales and costs with PCB and build contractors, taking technical responsibility for the PCB design and manufacture, and being responsible to project managers for tracking of deliverables from external suppliers.
- Ensure deliverables are to the agreed timescale, specification, and quality in accordance with company’s ISO9001 Quality procedures.
- Perform both internal & external customer design reviews with good presentation skills.
- Maintain high professional standards and drive towards execution efficiency.
COMPETENCIES
- A strong portfolio of successfully completed PCB design projects.
- Experience of PCBs for RF, microwave and millimetre-wave designs is highly desirable, including experience of working with RF materials.
- High skill level using PCB design tools; experience of Altium for schematic capture and PCB layout essential.
- Familiarity with Siemens PADS software for legacy designs would be an advantage.
- Strong working knowledge of Surface Mount Technology, Design for Assembly (DFA) and Design for Manufacture (DFM) techniques.
- Good working knowledge of IPC standards for high reliability products and EMI/EMC requirements for best design practice.
- Experience of product design & development and ability to closely integrate with the electronic and mechanical design teams.
- Ability to innovate and help hardware & mechanical engineers resolve challenging design tasks.
- Confident working under pressure, self-motivated and able to work independently.
- Confident communicator capable of engaging with external suppliers and internal stakeholders to help negotiate best outcomes.
Candidates should have an HNC/HND or degree in Electronic and Electrical Engineering, supported by relevant industry experience and a specialisation in PCB design. A minimum of 5 years’ experience in electronics hardware design and product development.
THE REWARDS
In return, we offer an excellent package and a stimulating environment that will encourage you to be your best. Salary and job title will be based on your experience and expertise. We provide the training, professional development and support that you need to complete your projects. We are a versatile business and are able to support career progression in many dimensions including technical, commercial and managerial. We offer hybrid working potential with 3 days required in the office. We are based just south of Cambridge with easy road and rail routes to the vibrant city centre. We provide a friendly and supportive working environment including regular on-site and off-site social events.
Senior PCB Design Engineer in Cambridge employer: Plextek
Contact Detail:
Plextek Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior PCB Design Engineer in Cambridge
✨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 lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a job opening at Plextek or elsewhere.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio showcasing your best PCB design projects. When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, having tangible examples of your work can really set you apart from the competition.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to pop up. Reach out directly to companies like Plextek that interest you. A friendly email expressing your enthusiasm for their work can go a long way in getting noticed.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for interviews by researching the latest trends in PCB technology. Being able to discuss current advancements and how they relate to your experience will show that you're not just qualified, but also genuinely interested in the field.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior PCB Design Engineer in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Senior PCB Design Engineer role. Highlight your PCB design projects, especially those involving RF and microwave designs, to catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about PCB design and how you can contribute to our team. Share specific examples of your past work and how it relates to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since this role involves collaboration with various teams and suppliers, make sure to demonstrate your communication skills in your application. Mention any experiences where you've successfully negotiated or presented ideas.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you receive updates on your status. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Plextek
✨Know Your PCB Design Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your PCB design skills, especially with tools like Altium and Siemens PADS. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've worked on, particularly those involving RF, microwave, or millimetre-wave designs. This will show your depth of knowledge and experience.
✨Showcase Your Collaborative Spirit
Plextek values teamwork, so be prepared to talk about how you've successfully collaborated with engineers and suppliers in the past. Share examples of how you’ve contributed to a multi-disciplinary team and how you’ve maintained strong relationships with suppliers.
✨Demonstrate Your Negotiation Skills
Since negotiating with suppliers is a key part of the role, think of instances where you’ve successfully negotiated costs or timelines. Highlight your ability to balance technical quality with commercial commitments, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect some technical questions related to IPC standards, DFM, and DFA techniques. Brush up on these topics and be ready to explain how you apply them in your work. This will demonstrate your expertise and commitment to high-quality design practices.