RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No
CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret
TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time
DescriptionWe are looking for you to join our team as a
Principal / Sr. Principal PCB Layout Designer based out of
Woodland Hills, CA. As a Principal / Sr. Principal PCB Layout Design Engineer at Northrop Grumman, you will have a challenging and rewarding opportunity to support the design and delivery of high-reliability circuit card assemblies for aerospace, defense, and space flight applications. You will collaborate across electrical, mechanical, manufacturing, and signal integrity disciplines to transform complex electrical architectures and schematics into robust, production-ready printed circuit board solutions. The successful candidate will be collaborative, open, and team-oriented, with a focus on shared responsibility, continuous learning, and a culture of innovation and technical excellence.
For this role, responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Execute the placement and routing of complex, high-density, multi-layer printed circuit boards (PCBs), including high-speed digital, RF, mixed-signal, and power circuits
- Interpret electrical schematics, constraints, and mechanical boundaries to develop optimized PCB layouts that meet performance, reliability, and manufacturability requirements
- Generate and maintain complete PCB and circuit card assembly (CCA) fabrication and assembly documentation packages, including artwork, drawings, fabrication notes, and data outputs for procurement and assembly partners
- Apply current IPC and high-reliability industry standards, as well as applicable military and aerospace criteria, in the design and verification of printed wiring boards and circuit card assemblies
- Collaborate closely with electrical, mechanical, manufacturing, and signal integrity engineers to address layout-related design challenges involving signal integrity, power integrity, thermal management, and packaging
- Support and perform Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), and Design for Test (DFT) reviews using automated and manual checks to improve yield, test coverage, and product robustness
- Work with fabrication and assembly suppliers to understand manufacturing capabilities and constraints and incorporate them into PCB designs
- Support PCB library management practices, ensuring correct use of symbols, footprints, and parameter data in accordance with internal workflows
- (Principal) Independently own PCB layout tasks from concept through fabrication data release in support of program cost, schedule, and technical requirements
- (Sr. Principal) Lead advanced PCB layout efforts using technologies such as High-Density Interconnect (HDI), microvias, via-in-pad, backdrilling, and specialized substrate materials; provide technical guidance, peer reviews, and mentoring to other layout designers
This position will require
on-site work at the Woodland Hills, CA facility.
This requisition may be filled at either a Principal Level or a Sr. Principal Level.
This requisition may be filled at a higher grade based on qualifications listed below.
Basic Qualifications for a Principal PCB Layout Designer (T03)- Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline with 5 years of engineering experience in an aerospace or closely related environment; or Master's degree in an engineering discipline with 2 years of relevant experience. 4 years of additional experience in lieu of degree also qualifies
- Ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI clearance
- Willingness and ability to work on-site full-time at the Woodland Hills, CA location
- Minimum 3 years of experience performing engineering/layout of printed circuit boards using Cadence Allegro or a closely related enterprise PCB layout tool
- Experience with the layout of multi-layer, high-density PCBs and circuit card assemblies, including placement and routing of high-speed digital, RF, and/or mixed-signal circuits
- Experience collaborating with diverse stakeholders across organizations and programs, including electrical design, mechanical design, manufacturing, test, and/or signal integrity
- Working knowledge of PCB fabrication and assembly processes, including common manufacturability and yield considerations
- Familiarity with IPC industry standards for PCB design and fabrication and current understanding of high-reliability criteria
- Experience generating artwork and PCB/CCA documentation for procurement and assembly houses
- Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills with a demonstrated ability to adapt effectively to changing requirements
Basic Qualifications for a Sr. Principal PCB Layout Designer (T04)- Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline with 8 years of engineering experience in an aerospace or closely related environment; or Master's degree in an engineering discipline with 6 years of relevant experience; or PHD in an engineering discipline with 4 years of relevant exterience
- Ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI clearance
- Willingness and ability to work on-site full-time at the Woodland Hills, CA location
- Minimum 3 years of experience performing engineering/layout of printed circuit boards using Cadence Allegro or a closely related enterprise PCB layout tool
- Experience with the layout of multi-layer, high-density PCBs and circuit card assemblies, including placement and routing of high-speed digital, RF, and/or mixed-signal circuits
- Experience collaborating with diverse stakeholders across organizations and programs, including electrical design, mechanical design, manufacturing, test, and/or signal integrity
- Working knowledge of PCB fabrication and assembly processes, including common manufacturability and yield considerations
- Familiarity with IPC industry standards for PCB design and fabrication and current understanding of high-reliability criteria
- Experience generating artwork and PCB/CCA documentation for procurement and assembly houses
- Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills with a demonstrated ability to adapt effectively to changing requirements
Preferred Qualifications- Experience with signal integrity or power integrity analysis tools and workflows
- Experience supporting environmental qualification and reliability test campaigns from a PCB layout perspective
- Prior experience on defense or space flight programs with stringent reliability, documentation, and traceability requirements
- Minimum 6+ years of experience performing engineering/layout of printed circuit boards using Cadence Allegro or a closely related enterprise PCB layout tool
- Demonstrated expertise in the layout of advanced, high-density, multi-layer (typically 24+ layers) printed circuit boards combining RF, high-speed digital, and high-power circuit sections
- Knowledge of PCB process workflows and library management, including creation and governance of symbols, footprints, and reusable layout elements
- Experience implementing advanced manufacturing technologies, including High-Density Interconnect (HDI), microvias, via-in-pad, backdrilling, and specialized substrate materials
- Proven experience conducting comprehensive DFM, DFA, and DFT reviews using automated tools and collaborating with manufacturing and test partners to maximize manufacturing yields and test coverage
- Experience providing technical guidance, layout reviews, and skill-development mentorship to junior and mid-level layout designers
- Ability to translate complex mechanical boundaries and electrical constraints into optimized physical PCB layouts across multiple boards or modules
- Deep domain knowledge of high-reliability military and aerospace hardware criteria (e.g., MIL-PRF-31032, MIL-STD-883, IPC Class 3/3A), or comparable experience demonstrating equivalent rigor
Primary Level Salary Range: $103,600.00 - $155,400.00
Secondary Level Salary Range: $129,300.00 - $193,900.00
The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.
Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.
The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.
