Lead PCB Layout Engineer

Capella Space stands at the forefront of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) Earth observation intelligence and advanced satellite technologies. We provide customers in governments, academia, and commercial sectors with reliable information that enables unparalleled understanding of the world. Our mission is centered on delivering timely and reliable Earth imagery, supporting diverse applications in defense & intelligence, disaster response, energy, environmental monitoring and more. Utilizing cutting-edge technology, Capella Space designs, manufactures and operates an advanced constellation of SAR imaging satellites. Our market-leading SAR satellites are complemented by an unmatched data infrastructure and automated ordering and delivery platform for fast, reliable insights where and when customers need it most.

Recognized for our technological prowess, Capella Space was honored as one of the 10 most innovative companies in Space in 2023 by FASTCOMPANY. Capella Space is an internationally trusted Earth Observation data provider, working closely with the U.S. Space Systems Command, U.S. Space Force, NASA, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. National Reconnaissance Office, the Canadian Government and more to make unclassified, high-resolution SAR data more accessible. 

What Makes Capella Unique?

Capella Space is a highly collaborative team environment, providing an opportunity to work with some of the brightest minds in the space industry, though no prior space experience is needed.  We’re looking for people excited about tackling seemingly impossible challenges, learning new skills and concepts, and helping each other achieve success. Our mission and our products are meant to understand the whole world and help everyone in it - regardless of race, creed, or any other distinction. We encourage you to bring your unique perspective to help make us stronger, including applications from those who are traditionally underrepresented in tech.

About the Role & Team

In this position you will be a key member of the spacecraft team at Capella. The spacecraft team is responsible for the design, build and test of everything that ultimately goes into space. On the spacecraft team, you will be collaborating cross-functionally with electrical design, RF systems design, mechanical design, and spacecraft integration teams. You will have significant responsibility and autonomy to deliver PCB designs while also setting the standards for the company when it comes to PCB layout, component libraries, drawings and supporting documentation.

Capella is looking for an energetic PCB layout engineer with experience in laying out dense multi-layer PCBs with high-speed digital and RF signals, managing component libraries and creating components using established standards and revision control, and maintaining templates for PCB fabrication and assembly drawings.

Qualifications – not all expected.

• 4+ years of experience in high-speed digital and RF layout, and component library management
• Mastery of Altium designer tools or other similar electronic CAD tools
• Strong understanding of the PCBA fabrication and assembly process
• Knowledge of PCB stack-up and material design decisions
• Familiarity with the IPC standards and relevant best practices for designing for manufacturability, assembly, and test
• Experience designing high reliability systems
• Excellent design and manufacturing documentation skills with attention to detail
• Experience working with contract manufacturers to procure components, work through issues, and successfully assemble PCBAs
• Experience working with SI engineers to verify layouts will meet signal integrity requirements
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Strong technical communication skills to be used in a highly collaborative environment
• To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Capella Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here.

Compensation

The annual salary range for this role as it is posted is $123,661 - $163,851. The final job level and annual salary will be determined based on the education, qualification, knowledge, skills, ability, and experience of the final candidate(s), specific office location and calibrated against relevant market data and internal team equity.  Benefits listed in this posting may vary depending on the natur