PCB Designer - Coherent Optical Reference Boards

About the Role

• We are seeking an experienced PCB Designer to lead the development of high-performance reference and evaluation boards for next-generation coherent optical DSPs and modules (400G/800G/1.6T). These boards enable silicon validation, system bring-up, and customer engagement.
• This role emphasizes power integrity (PI) and regulator design, while maintaining strong competency in signal integrity (SI) and awareness of mmWave RF line-side routing (90 GHz+). The position also includes technical oversight of external contractors for schematic capture and PCB layout.

What you Will Do:

• Own end-to-end design of reference and validation boards for coherent optical DSP platforms
• Define system architecture with strong focus on:
• Power tree design and sequencing
• Low-noise, high-current regulator implementation
• Robust PDN design for digital, analog, and RF domains
• Design and optimize power delivery networks (PDN):
• Target impedance definition and verification
• Decoupling strategy (bulk, mid, high-frequency caps)
• Plane design, stitching, and return path integrity
• Select and implement DC-DC converters and LDOs:
• Efficiency vs noise trade-offs
• Load transient performance
• Thermal considerations
• Work with external contractors to execute:
• Schematic capture (including full power tree)
• PCB layout implementation
• Review and enforce design quality for:
• PI performance (ripple, droop, noise coupling)
• SI constraints on high-speed interfaces (90 GHz+)
• Collaborate with SI/PI engineers to validate PDN and channel performance
• Incorporate debug and measurement features:
• Power rail probing, current sensing, and isolation points
• High-bandwidth measurement access for noise characterization
• Drive Schematics, layout, and DFM/DFA reviews and support tap out
• Support bring-up of boards and DSP

What you Will Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent experience
• 5+ years of PCB design experience with strong emphasis on power integrity and power design
• Proven experience designing complex power trees for ASIC/DSP-based systems
• Strong experience reviewing and guiding third-party schematic and layout work
• Proficiency with PCB CAD tools (Cadence Allegro) and PI analysis tools (Sigrity)
• Deep understanding of:
• PDN design and target impedance concepts
• Decoupling capacitor selection, placement, and optimization
• Switching regulator design (buck converters, multiphase regulators)
• LDO design and noise-sensitive supply generation
• Solid understanding of:
• High-speed SI fundamentals (differential routing, return paths, crosstalk)
• PCB materials and stack-up trade-offs
• Experience with reference board design and silicon bring-up

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with coherent optical systems or high-performance DSP platforms
• Experience correlating simulation with lab measurements (scope probing, VNA, TDR)
• Knowledge of:
• Power/ground plane resonance and damping techniques
• Thermal considerations for high-current regulators
• RF-aware layout practices for 90 GHz+ environments

Salary Range for US

$150,000 - $250,000 Base Annually 
The final offer will be determined based on job-related skills, experience, qualifications, and location.