PCB Layout Designer

About the Company

Kraken Kinetics is uniquely qualified to enhance contemporary warfighting capabilities for the United States Armed Forces and its allies. We create advanced kinetic solutions to defeat adversaries on the modern battlefield, making it our mission and responsibility as Americans to deliver DEFINITIVE LETHALITY. Kraken Kinetics provides bespoke kinetic solutions for modern weapon systems, focusing on unmanned and autonomous delivery platforms. With decades of specialized DoD experience, we rapidly engineer high-performance warheads and fuzing solutions —designed for manufacturing—serving defense technology partners, the US Government, and our allies.

We are seeking a highly skilled PCB Layout Designer to join our dynamic team. At Kraken Kinetics, the PCB Layout Designer plays a critical role in transforming cutting-edge electronic system concepts into mission-ready hardware. This position is responsible for the detailed design and layout of printed circuit boards (PCBs) used in advanced weapon systems. Working closely with electrical, software, mechanical, and manufacturing engineers, the PCB Layout Designer ensures every board meets rigorous performance, reliability, and manufacturability standards for safety critical systems.

About the Role

This role is based on-site at our Moore County, NC. As a PCB Layout Designer, you will be part of the team responsible for the design, development, and integration of embedded electrical systems within Kraken Kinetics' defense systems. You will ensure that all systems meet stringent performance, security, and reliability requirements.

Responsibilities

PCB Layout Design: Develop high-quality, manufacturable PCB layouts for embedded systems, electronic safe and arm devices (ESADs), and other defense-related products.

Component Placement: Position components optimally on the PCB to meet electrical, mechanical, and thermal requirements while minimizing signal interference and maximizing performance.

Routing: Route signal, power, and ground traces to ensure optimal performance, reliability, and manufacturability of the PCB.

Design for Manufacturability (DFM): Work closely with the engineering team to ensure the PCB layout meets design for manufacturability (DFM) standards, facilitating ease of production and assembly.

Signal Integrity: Implement techniques for ensuring signal integrity, including the use of controlled impedance, differential pairs, and proper grounding techniques.

Layer Stack-Up Design: Design and optimize multi-layer PCB stack-ups to meet system requirements for power delivery, signal integrity, and thermal management.

Design Rule Checks (DRC): Perform design rule checks (DRC) to ensure that the layout adheres to electrical and mechanical specifications, including industry standards and MIL-STDs.

Collaborate with Engineers: Work closely with electrical engineers to ensure the PCB layout aligns with the schematic and system design, addressing any technical challenges as they arise.

Prototyping and Testing Support: Support the prototyping and testing phases by reviewing PCBs for potential issues, assisting in debugging, and providing layout revisions based on test results.

Documentation: Generate and maintain detailed design documentation, including Gerber files, BOM (Bill of Materials), and assembly drawings, ensuring the accuracy and completeness of records.

Revision Control: Maintain proper revision control for layout designs, ensuring the latest design version is always tracked and communicated across teams.

Compliance and Standards: Ensure all PCB designs comply with applicable MIL-STDs, industry standards (e.g., IPC-2221), and internal company design guidelines.

Continuous Improvement: Contribute to the improvement of design processes and tools, actively researching new layout technologies, software updates, and best practices.

Qualifications

Educational Background: The ideal candidate will have an associate's degree in Electronics Engineering Technology, Electrical Engineering Technology, or a related technical field. Alternatively, relevant certifications in PCB design or equivalent hands-on experience in PCB layout design may be considered in lieu of formal education.

Professional Experience: 3+ years of experience in PCB layout design, preferably in defense, aerospace, or other high-reliability industries. Proven experience with multi-layer PCB designs for complex embedded systems.

Technical Skills: Proficiency in PCB design software, such as Altium Designer, Eagle, or KiCad. Solid understanding of signal integrity, power distribution, and thermal design for PCB layout. Experience with designing for manufacturability (DFM) and electrical design rule checks (DRC). Familiarity with military standards (e.g. MIL-STD-461) and industry standards (e.g., IPC-2221, IPC-7351). Knowledge of high-speed digital design, including controlled impedance routing and differential pairs. Ability to read, and interpret, electrical schematics and technical drawings. Strong attention to detail with the ability to troubleshoot and resolve design issues. Experience with component libraries and managing part footprints.

Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present technical material to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Competent with Microsoft Office software tools.

Collaboration: Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional engineering teams, including electrical engineers and mechanical engineers.

Clearance Requirements: Must possess or be able to obtain a U.S. DoD Security Clearance.

Preferred MIL-STD Compliance: Familiarity with military standards, including MIL-STD-1316, MIL-STD-810, and MIL-STD-202, as well as industry standards such as IPC-2221, to ensure adherence to best practices in embedded system development and system integration.

Pay range and compensation package

Kraken Kinetics is committed to offering a competitive compensation package to attract and retain top talent. This full-time, on-site exempt position offers an annual salary range of $85,000 to $105,000 depending on qualifications and experience. This position offers three weeks per year of paid time off that encompasses vacation, personal time, and sick days.

In addition to a competitive salary, Kraken Kinetics offers a comprehensive benefits package including full medical insurance for the employee plus dependents (80% of premium is paid by the company), vision and dental coverage (100% of premium is paid by the company), short-term and long-term disability coverage (100% of premium is paid by the company), a generous 401k retirement plan with profit sharing provisions, life insurance, and a selection of workplace amenities designed to enhance employee satisfaction and productivity.

Apply

As a team of builders, we would enjoy hearing about something you built (in school, professionally or in your personal time).

Equal Opportunity Statement

Kraken Kinetics is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and welcome applicants of all backgrounds.