Principal PCB Design Engineer
Terran Orbital is seeking an experienced Principal PCB Design Engineer to join our dynamic team. Reporting to the Manager, PCB Design, the Principal PCB Design Engineer will lead complex board‑level design efforts, drive best practices, and help shape the long‑term technical direction of the team. This role is critical to supporting current program needs while also providing future leadership capability as the organization evolves. Candidates with experience in aerospace or space‑qualified electronics will be highly preferred.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Serve as the technical SME for PCB design, guiding architecture, layout strategies, component selection, stackups, routing constraints, and overall design integrity.
Lead the design and execution of complex, high‑density, mixed‑signal, RF, and power electronics circuit boards used in space and aerospace applications.
Collaborate closely with Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Manufacturing, and Reliability teams to ensure designs meet performance, manufacturability, cost, and schedule targets.
Drive design reviews, including schematic, layout, DFM, DFA, and signal/power integrity assessments.
Develop and enforce PCB design standards, workflows, libraries, and best practices across the team.
Provide mentorship, guidance, and day‑to‑day technical support to junior and mid‑level PCB designers.
Partner with leadership to refine long‑term organizational structure, capabilities, and staffing as the PCB team grows.
Manage vendor interactions related to fabrication and assembly, including stackup development, build notes, and manufacturing constraints.
Support failure analysis, root cause investigations, and corrective actions on PCB‑related issues.
Maintain strong documentation discipline to support flight hardware traceability and audit requirements.
Required Qualifications and Skills
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or related technical field.
12+ years of experience in PCB design, including ownership of complex, multi‑layer, high‑reliability board designs.
Deep proficiency with industry‑standard ECAD tools (Altium Designer preferred).
Demonstrated expertise in high‑speed digital design, power distribution design, RF considerations, and signal/power integrity principles.
Experience driving PCB designs from concept through fabrication, assembly, validation, and release to production.
Strong understanding of DFM/DFA principles and working with PCB fabrication and assembly vendors.
Ability to lead technical decision‑making, mentor others, and influence cross‑functional design outcomes.
Excellent communication skills and comfort presenting technical content to engineering leadership.
Must be a U.S. Person or lawful permanent resident to comply with U.S. government space technology export regulations.
Preferred Qualifications and Skills
Experience designing electronics for space or aerospace environments (radiation considerations, thermal constraints, reliability requirements, derating standards, etc.).
Experience with IPC standards (IPC‑2221/2222, IPC‑6012, etc.).
Familiarity with ECSS, NASA, or MIL standards related to electronic hardware.
Experience developing or managing PCB libraries and design processes.
Prior experience providing informal leadership or mentorship within an engineering team.
Your actual level and base salary will be determined case-by-case and may vary based on the job-related qualification, knowledge, skills, education, and experience. In addition to base salary, we offer 100% covered medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 401(k) match, Flexible Time Off (FTO), covered life insurance, maternity and paternity leave, tuition reimbursement, employee referrals, and lots of swag!
Salary Range
$170,000—$210,000 USD