Role Summary (P17)
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
1. 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
2. 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)
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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 Integrity Analysis
6. Library & Documentation Management
- Create and maintain symbols, footprints, and 3D models.
- Maintain layout documentation, revision control, and release notes.
7. Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work with:
– Power Electronics/ Hardware circuit designers
– Embedded/control engineers
– Mechanical engineers
– Manufacturing and quality teams - Participate in design reviews (DR0/DR1/DR2/DFM review).
Required Skills & Qualifications
Technical Skills
- Strong experience in PCB layout for power electronics converters.
- Experience in layout of Control boards with DSP/microcontrollers/FPGA
- Expertise in:
– High-voltage (400V, 800V, 1500V)
– High-current (>100A)
– High-frequency SiC/GaN switching layouts - Knowledge of EMI/EMC and grounding rules.
- Strong understanding of analog, digital, and mixed-signal routing.
- Understanding of PCB manufacturing constraints, soldering and assembly process
- Good understanding of IPE /IEC standards for PCB layout (IPC2220series, IPC7531 etc)
Ability to read schematics and understand converter topologies.
Tools
- Cadence Allegro / OrCAD
- Altium Designer
- Mentor Graphics (PADS/Xpedition)
- ECAD-MCAD integration (SolidWorks/Creo)
Experience
- PCB layout experience in AC-DC PFC, LLC/DC-DC converters, Inverters/traction converters, EV chargers / BESS modules and their controllers
- Experience with wide-bandgap SiC/MOSFET modules is an advantage.
Qualifications
- B.E / B.Tech in Electronics, Electrical, Mechatronics.
- Experience Levels 4–10 years with 5+ years in PCB layout
Preferred Experience
- Circuit Design experience.
- Hands-on knowledge of Kelvin source routing, Snubber loop optimization, Gate driver–power stage co-layout
- Knowledge of simulation tools (ANSYS SIwave, HyperLynx) preferred.
- Familiarity with safety standards (UL, IEC 61800, IEC 61000).
