Plextek | PCB Layout Engineer in Essex

Permanent, Full time | Onsite working Saffron Walden, Essex UK-based applications only, No Sponsorship available.

We’re supporting a well-established, highly regarded technology engineering business in the Cambridge area that designs and manufactures advanced electronic systems across commercial, industrial and defence sectors. They’re now looking to appoint a Senior PCB Design Engineer to play a key role in strengthening and leading their PCB design capability.

The Role

This is a senior, hands-on PCB design position within a multi-disciplinary hardware and manufacturing environment. You’ll work closely with RF, digital, power and analogue electronics engineers to translate complex schematics into robust, manufacturable PCB designs, supporting projects from early development through to release and build.

Beyond day-to-day design delivery, this role carries genuine ownership: influencing design standards, engaging directly with PCB manufacturers and build houses, and helping evolve the organisation’s PCB technology capability. You’ll act as the technical authority for PCB layout and manufacture, working closely with project managers and reporting into senior hardware leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Produce high-quality, manufacturable PCB designs from engineers’ schematics across varied technology domains.
• Own schematic and PCB footprint libraries, including BoM generation, scripting and manufacturing data-pack creation.
• Take technical responsibility for PCB release to external manufacturers and build contractors.
• Engage directly with PCB suppliers to agree stack-ups, materials, costs and lead times.
• Track and manage external supplier deliverables in line with project schedules and quality requirements.
• Maintain and develop supplier relationships, including audits and awareness of emerging PCB technologies.
• Ensure compliance with quality systems (ISO9001), specifications and agreed timescales.
• Lead and participate in internal and external design reviews, presenting clearly and professionally.
• Drive continuous improvement in PCB design efficiency, quality and execution.

Technical Background & Experience

• Strong portfolio of completed PCB designs, ideally spanning RF, microwave and millimetre-wave applications.
• Experience working with RF materials and high-performance PCB stack-ups highly desirable.
• Advanced user of Altium for schematic capture and PCB layout (essential).
• Familiarity with Siemens PADS for legacy designs is advantageous.
• Solid understanding of SMT, DFA and DFM best practice.
• Working knowledge of IPC standards for high-reliability electronics and EMI/EMC design principles.
• Comfortable collaborating closely with electronics and mechanical design teams to solve complex integration challenges.
• Confident, self-directed engineer able to manage multiple stakeholders and operate under delivery pressure.

Qualifications

• HNC/HND or degree in Electronic or Electrical Engineering (or equivalent experience).
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in electronics hardware design and product development, with a clear specialism in PCB design.

Package & Environment

• Competitive salary and title aligned to experience and technical depth.
• Hybrid working model (typically 3 days on-site).
• Strong focus on professional development, training and long-term career progression.
• Friendly, collaborative engineering culture with regular team and company events.
• Office location just south of Cambridge with good road and rail access.

If you’re an experienced PCB Design Engineer looking for a role with real technical ownership, supplier influence and long-term progression within a high-calibre engineering environment, this is a strong opportunity to explore.