Kraken Kinetics is seeking a PCB Layout Designer to support the development and release of printed circuit boards for advanced defense products. The role involves working closely with electrical, mechanical, and firmware engineers to turn circuit designs into manufacturable, testable, and configuration-controlled PCB assemblies. The designer will provide additional layout capacity and help mature the company's ECAD practices, including library management, layout standards, release documentation, and design-for-manufacturing feedback. This is a hands-on role ideal for someone who can work quickly and independently while helping establish disciplined practices for a growing engineering team.

Responsibilities

Perform PCB layout for digital, analog, mixed-signal, power, and safety-critical electronics.
Collaborate with electrical engineers to understand schematics, design intent, routing constraints, and critical circuit requirements.
Work with mechanical engineers to define board outlines, connector placement, keep-in / keep-out zones, mounting features, and packaging constraints.
Create and maintain PCB footprints, symbols, component libraries, and ECAD documentation.
Support design-for-manufacturing (DFM), design-for-test (DFT), and design-for-assembly (DFA) reviews.
Generate fabrication and assembly outputs, including Gerbers, ODB++, pick-and-place files, drawings, stackup notes, and assembly documentation.
Interface with PCB fabrication and assembly vendors to resolve manufacturing questions and improve board quality.
Participate in PCB design reviews and contribute to layout standards, checklist development, and release practices.
Support ECOs, revision updates, and configuration-controlled release packages.
Help improve Kraken’s ECAD workflows, library discipline, and documentation practices as the team scales.

Requirements

3+ years of professional PCB layout or ECAD design experience.
Proficiency with Altium Designer or similar professional PCB design tools.
Experience laying out multi-layer printed circuit boards.
Strong understanding of PCB fabrication, assembly processes, component footprints, and manufacturing documentation.
Ability to interpret schematics and work closely with electrical engineers to implement design intent.
Understanding of PCB design principles, including component placement, routing strategy, grounding, power distribution, and layer stack-up development.
Understanding of signal integrity concepts including EMI/EMC considerations, coupling and crosstalk mitigation, impedance[BS2] control, shielding, and isolation.
Working knowledge of applicable IPC standards and guidelines, and the workmanship requirements associated with IPC Class 1, 2, and 3 electronic assemblies.
Experience creating fabrication and assembly output packages.
Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple board designs or revisions concurrently.
Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, cross-functional engineering environment.

Nice to have

Experience with high-density, mixed-signal, high-reliability, or safety-critical PCB designs.
Experience with rigid-flex PCB design.
Experience with Altium library management, component lifecycle tracking, or ECAD standards development.
Familiarity with DFM/DFT practices, bed-of-nails test points, production test access, and panelization.
Experience with IPC standards related to PCB design, component creation & footprints, fabrication, or assembly.
Experience working with contract manufacturers, PCB fabricators, and assembly houses.
Background in defense, aerospace, medical device, robotics, or other high-reliability electronics environments.
Experience supporting ECOs, configuration management, and production release workflows.

Benefits

Generous PTO policy
Comprehensive medical coverage (80% company-paid for employee + dependents).
Vision & dental (100% company-paid)
Short and long-term disability coverage (100% company-paid)
Generous 401(k) retirement plan
Company-paid life insurance
Great teammates and well stocked snacks