RF PCB Layout Engineer

Worker Type

Job Description

Summary

AV is continuously seeking talented RF PCB Layout Engineers to work onsite at ourAlbuquerque, New Mexico or Germantown, Maryland offices. These positions support the development, integration, verification, and production of advanced RF, phased-array, mixed-signal, digital, power, and electromechanical systems.

This posting is intended for candidates at multiple experience levels, with responsibilities aligned to qualifications and program needs. Engineers may support PCB layout, RF implementation, library development, design-rule definition, documentation, prototype bring-up, production transition, and technical leadership. You will collaborate with RF, electrical, mechanical, thermal, manufacturing, assembly, quality, and test teams throughout the product lifecycle.

Position Responsibilities

• Create and maintain PCB layouts for RF, mixed-signal, digital, power, and control assemblies, including phased-array tiles and RF front ends.
• Translate schematics, RF constraints, stack-up requirements, mechanical envelopes, thermal paths, and assembly requirements into manufacturable layouts.
• Apply controlled-impedance routing, transmission-line geometry, grounding, shielding, isolation, return-current control, thermal-management, and RF-clearance practices.
• Apply approved stack-ups, footprints, net classes, design rules, keep-outs, differential-pair requirements, and via strategies.
• Support high-density and repeated-hardware designs while preserving electrical performance, consistency, and design intent.
• Create and maintain component symbols, footprints, libraries, placement data, fabrication outputs, assembly drawings, bills of materials, and controlled release packages.
• Perform design-rule checks, drawing checks, peer reviews, and release reviews before fabrication and assembly.
• Support signal-integrity, power-integrity, electromagnetic-compatibility, thermal, DFM, and DFT reviews.
• Use Altium Designer or a comparable tool to generate layouts, manufacturing outputs, assembly outputs, and technical documentation.
• Work with suppliers to resolve fabrication, assembly, yield, rework, inspection, and production issues without compromising RF requirements.
• Support prototype bring-up, RF testing, hardware integration, failure analysis, engineering changes, and transition to production.
• Collaborate across RF design, modeling, electrical, mechanical, thermal, manufacturing, quality, and test disciplines.
• Participate in design, test-readiness, production-readiness, and customer technical reviews.
• Maintain configuration-controlled records, revision history, engineering changes, and release documentation.
• Identify tradeoffs involving RF performance, density, mechanical and thermal constraints, cost, schedule, manufacturability, and repeatability.
• Provide technical leadership, mentorship, or process improvement based on experience.
• Support occasional travel to customer, supplier, test, or field locations.

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

• Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, RF Engineering, Electronics, CAD, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
• Relevant experience in PCB layout, RF layout, electronics design, drafting, or hardware development. Level will be based on qualifications and experience.
• Experience with Altium Designer or a comparable PCB layout tool.
• Ability to interpret electrical and RF schematics and understand signal paths.
• Working knowledge of multilayer PCB stack-ups, controlled impedance, grounding, shielding, isolation, signal integrity, DFM, and DFT.
• Experience creating or reviewing fabrication and assembly documentation.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, communication, and technical documentation skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team.
• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance, if required.

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• Experience with RF or mixed-signal boards, phased-array tiles, antenna interfaces, RF front ends, beamforming hardware, or high-density assemblies.
• Experience with RF shielding, thermal management, flex or rigid-flex boards, blind or buried vias, high-frequency connectors, or advanced PCB fabrication.
• Experience with DFM, DFT, supplier coordination, prototype bring-up, production transition, or fielded hardware.
• Familiarity with HFSS, ADS, CST, MATLAB, signal-integrity, power-integrity, or electromagnetic-compatibility tools.
• Experience with RF test equipment or hardware verification.
• Familiarity with IPC-A-610, ANSI/ESD S20.20, controlled manufacturing environments, and configuration management.
• Experience with radar, satellite communications, phased arrays, beam-control systems, or aerospace and defense products.
• Experience leading layout reviews, establishing design standards, conducting trade studies, or mentoring engineers.
• Current and active U.S. Department of Defense security clearance.

Core Competencies

• RF and mixed-signal PCB layout
• Controlled impedance, high-speed routing, grounding, shielding, and isolation
• PCB libraries, documentation, and configuration control
• Design for manufacturability, test, and assembly
• Prototype bring-up, troubleshooting, and production support
• Signal integrity, power integrity, and EMC awareness
• Cross-functional collaboration and technical communication
• Risk identification, tradeoff analysis, and problem solving
• Task ownership, technical leadership, and mentorship

Career Framework

• Track: Engineering
• Discipline: Electrical Engineering / PCB Design
• Level: Based on qualifications and experience
• Focus Areas: RF PCB Layout, Mixed-Signal Layout, Phased-Array Hardware, RF Front Ends, High-Density Electronics, Signal Integrity, Manufacturing Transition, and Hardware Integration and Test

At AV, RF PCB Layout Engineers work hands-on with advanced hardware supporting critical aerospace and defense missions. You will collaborate with talented multidisciplinary teams and have opportunities to grow in RF implementation, PCB design, manufacturing, and technical leadership.

Location: This position is based in either Albuquerque, NM or Germantown, MD.

Salary Range $75,000 to $160,000 (This range is broad as we are hiring for multiple levels for this role. Salary will be determined within range based at entry, mid, or senior-level based on level of experience.)

The pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Determination of official compensation or salary relies on several factors including, but not limited to, level of position, job responsibilities, geographic location, scope of relevant work experience, educational background, certifications, contract-specific affordability, organizational requirements, alignment with local internal equity as well as alignment with market data.

Our compensation package also includes components designed to support employees’ total well-being, which should be considered when evaluating our competitive benefits package. These benefits include health insurance, life insurance, disability, company holiday and paid time off, parental leave, 401(k) company match and contributions, professional development/training reimbursements, and other work/life programs.

ITAR Requirement:

This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants will be asked to provide specific documentation to verify U.S. person status under the ITAR and the EAR. A “U.S. person” according to their definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee, or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

Benefits: AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown. For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits.

We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.

Principals only need apply. NO agencies please.

Who We Are

Based in California, AeroVironment (AVAV) is a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Founded in 1971 by celebrated physicist and engineer, Dr. Paul MacCready, we’ve been at the leading edge of technical innovation for more than 45 years. Be a part of the team that developed the world’s most widely used military drones and created the first submarine-launched reconnaissance drone, and has seven innovative vehicles that are part of the Smithsonian Institution’s permanent collection in Washington, DC.

Join us today in developing the next generation of small UAS and tactical missile systems that will deliver more actionable intelligence to our customers so they can proceed with certainty - and succeed.

What We Do

Building on a history of technological innovation, AeroVironment designs, develops, produces, and supports an advanced portfolio of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and allied military services use the company’s hand-launched UAS to provide situational awareness to tactical operating units through real-time, airborne reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.

ITAR