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Lead PCB Designer - Space & Defense Technology

Posted 4 days ago

lunar resourcesHouston (TX)

SENIORITY

Manager

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About the role

The Mission We are a startup building high-consequence hardware for space and defense applications. We operate in a fast-paced environment that relies on technical excellence and individual ownership. We are looking for a PCB Designer who can take a set of mechanical constraints and electrical requirements and independently deliver a manufacturing-ready KiCad project. You will be trusted to own your work from concept to hardware validation.
The Role: You will own the entire PCB lifecycle, from schematic capture and component selection to routing, fab handoff, and board bring-up. You will work directly with engineering leadership to integrate complex electronics into tight mechanical envelopes. End-to-End Ownership: Translate raw circuit requirements into schematics, design the layout, and generate clean manufacturing. High-Voltage Layout: Route boards that handle extreme potentials (5kV - 20kV+). You must deeply understand creepage, clearance, dielectric withstand, and arcing mitigation. High-Speed/RF Considerations: Execute impedance matching and signal integrity practices for pulsed power systems and RF hardware. Fab & Assembly Handoff: Manage relationships with board houses and assembly partners, independently resolving any DFM issues that arise. Hardware Debugging: Take the lead on board bring-up, including soldering first prototypes and validating your designs on the bench. Who You AreAutonomous: You are proactive and self-directed. If a component goes out of stock or a constraint changes, you find a solution and update the design independently. Advanced KiCad Proficiency: You have extensive, verifiable experience designing complex, multi-layer rigid and flex/rigid-flex boards specifically using KiCad. Physics & Safety Oriented: You understand that high-voltage and pulsed power environments are unforgiving. You design with safety, isolation, and thermal management at the forefront. Hands-on: You are comfortable working in the lab, capable of advanced soldering (SMD, 0402s, QFNs), and proficient with oscilloscopes and logic analyzers.
Why Join Us? Direct Impact: Your boards will be integrated into critical defense and aerospace systems. Technical Freedom: We value data-driven engineering. If you can justify a design decision with physics, we build it.
Requirements: Must be a US Citizen (required to comply with ITAR/EAR regulations for defense technology).

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