This position will be filled at either the Designer/Drafter 3 or 4 level, depending on the skills of the selected candidate. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level.
The Intelligence and Space Research (ISR) Division at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is seeking an entry level printed circuit board (PCB) layout designer to design and develop rigid and flexible PCBs as a member of the ISR-5 Space Instrument Realization Group. This role will directly support the design, prototyping, and manufacturing of innovative space satellites for a variety of scientific and national security missions.
The ISR Division has been designing, building, and operating highly innovative ground, air and space-based measurement and detection systems for nearly 60 years. We solve some of the most challenging scientific and national security problems facing the world today. Our interdisciplinary teams of engineers, technicians, and scientists work, learn, and succeed through a highly creative and dynamic R&D environment. We build, fly, operate, and analyze data from measurement systems deployed to space for verification of international nuclear treaties, and develop innovative sensors and ground, airborne and space hardware/software systems for basic scientific missions, nuclear nonproliferation, space situational awareness and remote sensing. In addition, we lead experiments on NASA missions, including the Curiosity and Perseverance Mars Rovers, Van Allen Probes, and IBEX.
This position will serve as a member of the ISR-5 Space Instrument Realization Group ECAD Layout team, providing PCB design and layout support using electronic and electrical computer-aided design (ECAD) / electronic design automation (EDA) software applications and tools. As this posting is an entry level role, the successful candidate will be provided an opportunity to work with senior ECAD professionals to learn project- and application-specific techniques related to the design and layout of PCBs for space flight.
· Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Design and Layout
o Conceptualize, design, and develop multilayer printed circuit boards using industry-standard software tools and techniques
o Read and interpret electrical schematics
o Understand, analyze, and troubleshoot basic issues related to component placement, routing traces, and clearances
o Generate fabrication and assembly drawings
o Maintain configuration control (versioning, documentation, and change orders)
· Team Collaboration
o Work with engineering and technical colleagues to translate moderately-complex circuit and schematic requirements into physical PCB designs
o Should be willing and eager to learn from colleagues, and comfortable seeking out help as needed
o Balance functional requirements against manufacturability and physical space constraints using input from mechanical, electrical, and fabrication subject matter experts
o Communicate with project stakeholders and provide status updates as required; participate in design review activities with project teams
· Third-Party Supplier Collaboration
o Interact with commercial PCB fabrication shops and serve as technical point of contact to communicate requirements, place orders, and track deliverables
The successful candidate will work across technical organizations within ISR, including electronics design, signal processing, and instrumentation groups, as well as interact with internal and external customers.
Technical Experience at Lower Level (Designer/Drafter 3; $58,000 - $90,800)
· Basic grasp of engineering, design, and drafting concepts related to electrical and electronic disciplines
· Basic experience using software tools to produce models, drawings, layouts, and sketches of components or systems
· Basic understanding of drawing and drafting principles to capture design intent with views, symbols, and notes
Technical Experience at Higher Level (Designer/Drafter 4; $64,400 - $102,300)
· Basic knowledge of policies, programs, procedures, and practices related to electronic and electrical computer-aided design (ECAD) / electronic design automation (EDA)
· Basic understanding of component placement, trace routing, clearances, and thermal considerations for PCB layout, understanding of tolerance stack-up for fabrication
· Basic understanding and use of industry standards for addressing performance specifications for rigid, flexible, and rigid-flexible PCBs
· Basic understanding of PCB fabrication materials, equipment, and techniques to effectively communicate design and manufacturing intent to third-party suppliers