How to Be PCB (Printed Circuit Board) hardware Designer - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

May 3, 2022 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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The development of Printed Circuit Board (PCB) hardware has enabled a revolution in the electronics industry. This technology, pioneered by PCB hardware designers, has allowed for the miniaturization of electronic components and circuits, resulting in smaller, more powerful devices. The increased efficiency of PCBs has enabled the development of more complex systems, and has allowed for the integration of multiple components into a single board.

This has enabled the production of more powerful and efficient products that can perform more complex tasks. In addition, advances in PCB hardware design have reduced costs and improved reliability, making it possible to produce a greater range of products at a lower cost while still maintaining high quality.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a Bachelor's Degree. A bachelor's degree in a related field such as electrical engineering, computer engineering, or computer science is typically required to become a PCB designer.
Develop Technical Skills. Learning the fundamentals of PCB design requires mastery of the software used to create schematics and circuit board layouts. This may include programs such as Altium Designer, EAGLE, and OrCAD.
Get Certified. Many employers prefer to hire PCB designers who have passed certification exams, such as those offered by the Institute of Printed Circuits (IPC).
Gain Hands-on Experience. Completing an internship or practicum during a degree program can be an invaluable experience for aspiring PCB designers. Working in a professional environment provides a chance to learn from experienced colleagues and build important industry connections.
Get Hired. After completing the necessary steps, job seekers can begin applying for PCB design positions. One can search for openings online or contact engineering firms directly. Networking with professionals in the field is another way to find job leads.

The key to staying ahead and efficient as a PCB hardware designer is to stay up to date on the latest technology and design trends. Keeping abreast of the ever-changing technology and design landscape is essential to staying ahead of the competition. investing in the right tools and technologies, such as CAD software and automated testing tools, can help to streamline the design process and reduce errors.

Finally, regular training and education can help keep designers informed on the latest design practices and techniques, allowing them to create the highest quality PCBs for their clients. By taking advantage of these resources, PCB hardware designers can remain competitive and efficient in an ever-evolving market.

You may want to check Mobile Device hardware Designer, Automotive hardware Technician, and Avionics Hardware Designer for alternative.

Job Description

Develop and maintain design documentation for all PCB designs.
Create schematic diagrams, component libraries, and PCB layout for new and existing designs.
Research, select, and recommend components for new designs.
Design, simulate, and debug circuit boards for new product designs and existing product enhancements.
Conduct design reviews to ensure accuracy and completeness of designs.
Analyze system requirements to ensure proper PCB design.
Work with other team members to ensure efficient design flow and performance.
Develop and maintain test plans, test fixtures, and test procedures for PCBs.
Coordinate with manufacturing engineering to ensure manufacturability of designs.
Troubleshoot and debug hardware issues.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of Printed Circuit Board (PCB) design principles and industry standards.
Proficient in using computer-aided design (CAD) software such as Altium Designer, Eagle and OrCAD.
Experience in schematic capture and PCB layout design.
Knowledge of wiring, soldering and assembly techniques.
Understanding of embedded systems design and microcontroller programming.
Ability to work with high-speed digital designs and embedded systems.
Understanding of signal integrity and power integrity constraints.
Capable of designing multi-layer PCBs with complex routing requirements.
Excellent problem solving and analytical skills.
Ability to communicate effectively with team members and other stakeholders.

Being a successful Printed Circuit Board (PCB) hardware Designer requires a combination of technical and creative skills. Most importantly, the PCB designer needs to have a strong understanding of electronics and how components interact. They need to be able to create accurate diagrams of circuit boards, including component placement and wiring, as well as understand the principles of electrical engineering.

they must have the ability to troubleshoot and solve complex technical problems related to the board design. Creatively, the designer needs to be able to think of innovative solutions to the design challenges that arise and be able to effectively communicate those solutions to the team. As a result of these skills, a successful PCB designer will be able to develop efficient and effective circuit boards that meet the requirements of their customers.

Robotics Hardware Engineer, Industrial Hardware Designer, and Aerospace hardware Engineer are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have with designing printed circuit boards?
How would you approach a design challenge when developing a PCB?
What design challenges have you encountered in the past when developing PCBs?
What CAD software do you use for PCB design?
How do you optimize the signal integrity of a PCB design?
How do you ensure that your PCB designs meet the necessary safety and regulatory requirements?
How do you manage the cost of PCB development?
What processes do you use to test and verify the functionality of a PCB design?
What do you consider to be the most important aspects when designing a PCB?
What challenges have you faced while designing PCBs for high-speed applications?

Common Tools in Industry

Altium Designer. An integrated electronic design automation software for developing printed circuit boards and integrated circuits. (eg: Altium Designer used by Intel to develop their processors)
Cadence Allegro. A powerful PCB design suite for high-speed and high-density board design. (eg: Cadence Allegro used by Samsung for their mobile phone PCBs)
KiCad. An open-source full-featured electronic design automation suite for schematic capture, PCB layout, and 3D visualization. (eg: KiCad used by Arduino to develop their development boards)
Eagle. An open-source schematic capture and PCB layout tool for small to medium-sized electronics designs. (eg: Eagle used by Raspberry Pi to develop their Raspberry Pi 3 Model B board)
OrCAD. A suite of tools for designing, analyzing, and simulating printed circuit board designs. (eg: OrCAD used by Apple to develop their logic boards)

Professional Organizations to Know

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)
American Society for Quality (ASQ)
National Electronics Manufacturing Initiative (NEMI)
IPC - Association Connecting Electronics Industries (IPC)
American Board of Certified Designers (ABCD)
Society of Printed Circuit Board Designers (SPCBD)
EMC/EMI Professional Network (EPN)
Flexible Circuits Institute (FCI)
American Society for Precision Engineering (ASPE)

We also have Senior Hardware Designer, Robotics Hardware Designer, and Automotive hardware Engineer jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Printed Circuit Board (PCB). A printed circuit board (PCB) is an electronic circuit made up of conductive tracks, pads, and components that are mounted on a non-conductive substrate.
Schematic. A schematic, or schematic diagram, is a representation of the elements of a system using abstract, graphic symbols rather than realistic pictures.
Component Libraries. A component library is a collection of pre-made components that can be used to build a printed circuit board.
Footprints. A footprint is the physical arrangement of components on a printed circuit board.
Board Layout. Board layout is the process of arranging components on a printed circuit board to meet design requirements.
DFM (Design for Manufacturing). Design for Manufacturing (DFM) is the process of designing a product for its manufacturing process.
Gerber File. A Gerber file is a vector file format used to describe images used in printed circuit board manufacturing.
Solder Mask. A solder mask is a thin layer of polymer used to protect the copper traces on a printed circuit board from accidental shorts or corrosion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is a Printed Circuit Board (PCB)? A1: A Printed Circuit Board (PCB) is a physical board used to hold and mount electrical components such as resistors, capacitors, and integrated circuits in order to create an electronic circuit. Q2: What is the role of a PCB hardware designer? A2: A PCB hardware designer is responsible for designing, creating, and troubleshooting circuit boards to meet the requirements of a project. This includes designing the layout of the board to ensure the components are connected properly and that the board functions as intended. Q3: What tools does a PCB hardware designer use? A3: A PCB hardware designer typically uses computer-aided design (CAD) software for creating and simulating circuit boards. Additionally, they may use an oscilloscope and other tools to test and troubleshoot boards. Q4: What is the process of designing a PCB? A4: The process of designing a PCB typically involves planning the layout of the board, creating a schematic diagram to define the electrical components and their interconnections, and then generating a layout with CAD software. Q5: What are some of the key skills needed for PCB hardware design? A5: Key skills for PCB hardware design include knowledge of electronic components, circuit theory, and electrical engineering principles; proficiency with CAD software; and strong problem-solving skills.