The PCB Layout Engineer is responsible for designing multi-layer PCB layouts for power electronics hardware such as AC-DC rectifiers, DC-DC converters, inverters, onboard/offboard chargers, SMPS, gate drivers, and control boards.
The role focuses on high-power, high-voltage, high-frequency layout, ensuring thermal performance, EMI/EMC compliance, safety isolation, and manufacturability.
Key Responsibilities
- PCB Layout Design (High Voltage / High Current / High Frequency)
- Design multi-layer PCBs (2–12+ layers) for: – Power stages (MOSFET/IGBT/SiC/GaN) – Gate driver boards – HV/LV sensing circuits – Digital controller boards (MCU/DSP) – Auxiliary power supplies
- Optimize layout for: – Low loop inductance – Controlled impedance traces – Creepage & clearance for HV designs – Short gate loops and Kelvin source routing – High current copper thickness and pours
- EMI/EMC-Optimized Layout
- Apply best practices for: – Minimizing switching noise – Grounding strategy (AGND/DGND/PGND separation)
– Shielding and filtering – Common-mode noise control – Differential pair routing (CAN, LVDS, Ethernet)
- Thermal & Mechanical Considerations
- Design layouts supporting: – Heat spreading – Thermal relief, thermal vias – Heatsink and busbar interface – Component derating and spacing
- component supports & PCB mounting considering vibration/shock
- Work with mechanical team for 3D integration.
- Compliance & Safety Layout
- Ensure PCB meets: – Creepage/clearance per IEC/UL standards – Insulation requirements for HV (>800 Vdc) – Automotive or industrial safety rules
- Design as per IPC/IEC standards
- Design isolation barriers with proper spacing and cut-outs.
- Design for Manufacturability (DFM) & Assembly (DFA)
- Apply DFM/DFA rules with PCB fabs and assemblers.
- Prepare fabrication files Gerber/ODB++, Drill files, Stack-up, Mask files, Assembly drawings, Pick & place data
- Generate 3D models of the PCB
- Perform /coordinate Signal integrity and Power Integ