Lead PCB Designer

Actalent • Seattle, WA • 3h ago

Job Title: Lead PCB Designer (RF/Radar)

Job Description

An exciting new VC space startup in Seattle, WA is seeking an accomplished Lead PCB Designer to own the architecture, execution, and quality assurance of printed circuit board layouts supporting our scalable electronically-steered radar (ESR) hardware for sophisticated spaceborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and advanced defense target-tracking missions. This role blends hands-on technical layout work with leadership of standards, design processes, and mentoring of a small team of PCB designers. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience developing high-speed, mixed-signal, RF, and power boards for space or aerospace environments and thrive in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary setting. As an early-stage team member, you'll have the opportunity to share in the company's growth through equity participation.

What You'll Do:

Design and layout high-speed digital, mixed-signal, RF front-end, and power management boards supporting spaceborne radar payloads and phased-array antenna modules.

Collaborate with the Responsible Engineer to define and maintain board-level architecture, layer stack-ups, and routing strategies ensuring signal integrity, impedance control, and EMI/EMC compliance.

Execute detailed component placement and routing for complex multi-layer designs including high-density BGAs, SERDES, DDR, FPGA, and high-frequency RF interconnects.

Own the full lifecycle design, from schematic collaboration and layout execution through fabrication, assembly, and bring-up support.

Integrate board design within mechanical, RF, thermal, and system-level constraints, ensuring mechanical compatibility, manufacturability, and serviceability.

Serve as the point of contact for standardized PCB layout, DFM/DFA/DFT rules, ECAD constraint management, and centralized component-library oversight.

Participate in formal design reviews, enforce design rules, and ensure documentation packages meet aerospace and defense standards.

Coordinate with Contract Design Services partners to ensure alignment with internal engineering standards and deliverables.

Support PCB fabrication and assembly vendors DFM and inquiries, ensuring compliance with stack-up, impedance, and material specifications for space/defense environments.

Contribute to supply-chain readiness and material qualification efforts for high-reliability boards.

What You'll Bring:

Associate's or Bachelor's in Electrical/Computer Engineering or equivalent experience

Expert in PCB layout and Altium Designer

Strong knowledge of constraint-driven design, impedance control, grounding, thermal management, EMI/EMC mitigation

Experience with DFM/DFA/DFT and vendor collaboration

Familiarity with aerospace/defense standards and environmental testing (shock, vibration, thermal, radiation, reliability)

Skilled in Altium toolchain integration, ECAD libraries, and automation

Excellent communication and collaboration skills

Eligible for US DoD TS/SCI clearance

Bonus If You Have The Following:

Experience designing PCBs for spacecraft payloads, synthetic aperture radar systems, or electronically-steered RF arrays.

Proficiency with 3D ECAD/MCAD co-design workflows and mechanical constraint management.

Knowledge of IPC Class 3 and NASA or MIL specifications for PCB fabrication and assembly.

Exposure to high-power or high-voltage design practices and power-integrity simulation tools.

Knowledge of thermal transfer through PCB materials.

Experience with high-frequency RF routing principles and circuits.

Experience developing mission-critical hardware for space and/or defense environments.

Significant experience designing complex multi-layer PCBs with high-speed interfaces (PCIe, DDR, SERDES).

Flexibility to support critical program milestones during extended hours when necessary.

Eligibility to work on U.S. export-controlled projects (ITAR).

Work Environment

This position is based in an office setting in Seattle, WA. The role may require occasional travel to fabrication partners or testing facilities. As an early-stage team member, you'll have the opportunity to share in the company's growth through equity participation. Relocation assistance is negotiable for candidates who are interested in relocating to Seattle, WA region for this opportunity.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Seattle, WA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $100000.00 - $175000.00/yr.

Base Salary + Equity Options: Choose the mix that fits your priorities-higher base salary with lower equity or lower salary with higher equity for greater long-term upside. Ownership Opportunity: Equity grants give you a stake in Kapta Space's growth and success as we scale in the geospatial intelligence market. Relocation Assistance: Negotiable support for candidates moving to the Seattle area.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Seattle,WA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jan 10, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com (%20actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com) for other accommodation options.

Similar Jobs

RN - Interventional Radiology

Health Advocates Network • Seattle, WA • 1h ago

Hospital & Medical

Benefits We Offer: Comprehensive health, prescription, dental, vision, life, and disability plans Competitive pay rates Referral opportunities ? Refer a friend & Cash in! Travel reimbursement and per diem allowances...

1h ago

Go to Apply

RN - OB

Health Advocates Network • Seattle, WA • 1h ago

1h ago

Go to Apply

Customer Service Representative II

MECHANICS BANK • Seattle, WA • 1h ago

Management & Administrative

Mechanics Bank is currently searching for a full time Customer Service Representative II to join our team at our Wedgwood Branch. This position is responsible for acquisition, retention and expansion of new and existing...

1h ago

Go to Apply

Preconstruction Manager

HITT Contracting Inc. • Seattle, WA • 1h ago

Trucking & Construction

Every day, our team members do amazing things in pursuit of our shared purpose to build trust with our clients, partners, subcontractors, and teammates. No matter your background, education, or career path, if you share...

1h ago

Go to Apply

Warehouse Associate (Contract)

Vas Aero Services LLC • Seattle, WA • 1h ago

Legal & Paralegal

Airbus is committed to providing reasonable accommodations as an Equal Opportunity Employer to applicants with disabilities. If you require assistance or an accommodation to complete your application, please contact us a...

1h ago

Go to Apply

Mechanical Engineer V

Actalent • Redmond, WA • 1h ago

IT & Engineering

Manufacturing Engineer Job Description As a First Line Support - Manufacturing Engineer, you will be at the forefront of building, testing, qualifying, and producing the next generation of spacecraft. You will leverage c...

1h ago

Go to Apply

Travel Labor and Delivery RN job in Issaquah, WA - Make $2173 to $2389/week (Job

Aya Healthcare, Inc. • Issaquah, WA • 1h ago

Retail & Hospitality

Aya Healthcare has an immediate opening for the following position: Labor and Delivery Registered Nurse in Issaquah, WA. We'll work with you to build the healthcare career of your dreams. Whether you want a job close to...

1h ago

Go to Apply

RF/Antenna Engineer, LEO Antenna Test Infrastructure

Amazon • Redmond, WA • 2h ago

IT & Engineering

Description Amazon LEO is an initiative to launch a constellation of LEO satellites that will provide broadband connectivity to underserved communities around the world. The LEO Antenna Test Infrastructure team provides...

2h ago

Go to Apply

Pharmacy Technician - Mail Order Fulfillment

Kaiser Permanente • Renton, WA • 2h ago

Hospital & Medical

SUNDAY-FRIDAY, CURRENT SCHEDULE IS SUNDAY-THURSDAY (2:30PM-11:00PM) PREVIOUS AUTOMATION EXPERIENCE PREFERRED, MUST BE ABLE TO STAND/WALK THE FULL 8 HOURS SHIFT, NON-PATIENT FACING ROLE MOSTLY FILLING RX'S Job Summary: Th...

2h ago

Go to Apply

Layout Designer

Actalent • Bellevue, WA • 2h ago

Job Title: Layout Designer Job Description We are seeking a Revit Layout Designer to provide CAD drafting support for composite designs and revisions, manage project lifecycles, and ensure stakeholder satisfaction. This...

2h ago

Go to Apply

Subscribe to get new jobs sent directly to you
(no charge, cancel anytime)

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.