Engineer I-PCB Layout

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Job Description:

We are seeking a highly motivated and technically proficient Entry-Level Engineer I-PCB Layout Designer to join our Hardware Engineering team. This role focuses on the critical physical design of Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs), specifically for high-efficiency power supply and power electronics circuits. The ideal candidate will translate complex electrical schematics into manufacturable, high-performance physical layouts, ensuring adherence to rigorous industry standards and power integrity best practices. This is an excellent opportunity for a recent BSEE graduate to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world design engineering solutions.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design and Implementation: Translate detailed electrical schematics, primarily for Switch-Mode Power Supplies (SMPS) and DC-DC converters, into optimized PCB layouts using industry-standard EDA tools.
• Component Placement Optimization: Execute strategic component placement to minimize parasitic effects (e.g., stray inductance and capacitance), optimize thermal performance, and meet mechanical constraints.
• Critical Signal Routing: Implement multi-layer routing strategies for high-current and sensitive control signals, ensuring minimal noise, crosstalk, and maintaining controlled impedance where required.
• Power and Ground Plane Design: Define robust and effective power/ground plane structures to ensure Power Delivery Network (PDN) integrity, minimize ground bounce, and manage electromagnetic compatibility (EMC).
• Design for Manufacturability (DFM) & Assembly (DFA): Perform rigorous Design Rule Checks (DRC) and collaborate with PCB fabricators and assembly houses to ensure designs are cost-effective and manufacturable at volume.
• Technical Documentation: Generate comprehensive fabrication and assembly data packages, including Gerbers, drill files, assembly drawings, and Bills of Material (BOMs), ensuring accurate and complete transfer to manufacturing.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Actively work with Electrical, Mechanical, and Signal/Power Integrity Engineers to resolve technical challenges and incorporate design feedback throughout the layout process.
• Standard Compliance: Ensure all PCB designs strictly comply with relevant industry specifications, including IPC-2221 (Generic Design Standard), IPC-2222 (Rigid PCB Sectional Design Standard), and IPC-6012 (Qualification and Performance Specification for Rigid PCBs), particularly regarding conductor spacing and creepage for power sections.

Requirements/Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) from an accredited institution.
• 0-3 years of Internship/Coursework Experience: Prior relevant experience through internships, co-op programs, or dedicated academic projects focused on PCB design, power electronics, or high-speed/high-current layout is a significant advantage.
• Tool Proficiency: Demonstrated familiarity or direct experience with professional Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools, specifically Altium Designer (highly preferred), Cadence Allegro, or Mentor Graphics PADS, for schematic capture and PCB layout.
• Power Electronics Fundamentals: Solid theoretical and practical understanding of power supply topologies (e.g., Buck, Boost, Flyback) and the critical impact of layout on performance, efficiency, and noise.
• Industry Standards Knowledge: Foundational knowledge of key IPC standards: IPC-2221, IPC-2222, and IPC-6012. Familiarity with high-current trace width calculation (e.g., using IPC-2152 guidelines) is highly desired.
• Analytical Skills: Proven ability to analyze design constraints (electrical, thermal, mechanical) and perform hand calculations for fundamental parameters like trace current capacity, impedance, and plane resistance.
• Technical Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills to articulate design decisions, document progress, and clearly convey technical requirements to cross-functional teams and external partners.
• Design Integrity Concepts: Basic understanding of Signal Integrity (SI) and Power Integrity (PI) principles as they relate to a PCB layout, particularly in minimizing loop areas for high-frequency current paths in power supplies.

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Benefits of working at Microchip

Microchip Technology Inc is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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