NCS Global Technology Hiring! Full Time PCB Layout Engineer (Cadence Allegro) in Pulau Pinang - Ricebowl

Job Summary

Design high-performance, multi-layer PCB layouts for innovative electronic products as a PCB Layout Engineer. Leveraging your expertise in Cadence Allegro, you'll collaborate with hardware, mechanical, and manufacturing teams to develop reliable, manufacturable PCB designs that meet electrical, mechanical, and production requirements. This role is ideal for detail-oriented engineers who are passionate about delivering high-quality PCB solutions throughout the product development lifecycle.

Salary range: RM4000 - RM6000

5 working days.

What You'll Do

PCB Layout & Design

• Design and develop complex multi-layer PCB layouts using Cadence Allegro PCB Designer, transforming schematics into optimized physical designs
• Perform strategic component placement considering signal flow, thermal management, mechanical constraints, connector locations, and assembly accessibility
• Execute high-density routing including single-ended signals, differential pairs, high-speed traces, and controlled impedance lines
• Define and optimize PCB stack-up including layer count, material selection, copper weights, dielectric thickness, and impedance calculations
• Implement advanced routing techniques for high-speed digital interfaces (DDR, PCIe, USB, HDMI, Ethernet, etc.) and RF/analog circuits

Constraint Management & Design Rules

• Define and maintain comprehensive design constraints using Allegro Constraint Manager, including spacing rules, differential pairs, impedance requirements, and length matching specifications
• Establish electrical constraint sets covering trace width/spacing, via structures, clearances, and manufacturing design rules
• Implement timing constraints including matched length groups, propagation delay budgets, and phase matching for critical signals
• Configure and validate design rule checks (DRC) to ensure compliance throughout the design process

Library Management & Component Creation

• Create, verify, and maintain ECAD libraries including schematic symbols, PCB footprints (land patterns), and pad stack definitions
• Develop component footprints following IPC-7351 standards with appropriate tolerances for manufacturing and assembly
• Coordinate with component engineering and supply chain teams to ensure library accuracy and currency
• Implement library version control and documentation practices

Signal & Power Integrity Collaboration

• Ensure PCB designs meet signal integrity (SI), power integrity (PI), and impedance control requirements through careful design practices
• Collaborate with SI/PI engineers to implement simulation recommendations including termination schemes, decoupling strategies, and return path optimization
• Design robust power distribution networks (PDN) with appropriate plane structures, decoupling capacitor placement, and voltage rail isolation
• Implement controlled impedance routing with specified trace geometries and reference plane assignments

Mechanical Integration & 3D Coordination

• Work with 3D STEP models to ensure proper mechanical fit, component clearances, connector alignment, and enclosure integration
• Coordinate with mechanical engineers on board outlines, mounting holes, keep-out zones, and height restrictions
• Perform 3D interference checks and mechanical design rule validation
• Support thermal management design including heatsink interfaces and thermal via structures

Manufacturing Coordination & Documentation

• Coordinate with PCB fabrication and assembly vendors to support manufacturing processes and resolve technical issues
• Generate complete manufacturing documentation including Gerber files (RS-274X), ODB++ data, NC drill files, assembly drawings, fabrication drawings, BOMs (Bill of Materials), and fab notes
• Provide technical support during fabrication, answering vendor questions and reviewing fab drawing approvals
• Conduct design for manufacturability (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA) reviews to optimize yield and reduce costs

Quality Assurance & Verification

• Perform comprehensive Design Rule Checks (DRC) and troubleshoot layout issues to ensure design quality and manufacturability
• Execute electrical rule checks (ERC), constraint validation, and cross-probing verification against schematics
• Review and validate manufacturing outputs before release
• Ensure designs comply with relevant industry and quality standards including IPC standards, ANSI, ISO, and ITAR compliance where applicable

What You'll Need

Must Have:

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or related engineering discipline
• Minimum 2–4 years of hands-on PCB layout experience in professional product development environment
• Strong experience designing complex, multi-layer PCBs (6+ layers) using Cadence Allegro (mandatory)
• Proficient in Cadence Allegro PCB Designer and Constraint Manager with deep working knowledge of design flows and capabilities
• Strong understanding of:

1. Multi-layer PCB layout and routing methodologies
2. High-density PCB design techniques
3. Differential pair routing and timing
4. Length matching and delay tuning
5. Signal Integrity (SI) principles and best practices
6. Power Integrity (PI) and PDN design
7. Controlled impedance design and calculations

• Experience creating and maintaining ECAD libraries including footprints, symbols, and pad stacks following industry standards
• Knowledge of DFM (Design for Manufacturability), DFA (Design for Assembly), and DFT (Design for Test) principles
• Experience working with 3D STEP models for mechanical integration and interference checking
• Familiarity with manufacturing deliverables including Gerber files, ODB++, drill files, BOMs, assembly drawings, and fabrication documentation
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with systematic debugging approach
• Excellent attention to detail and commitment to design quality
• Good communication and interpersonal skills for cross-functional collaboration
• Ability to collaborate effectively with hardware engineers, mechanical designers, SI/PI specialists, and external vendors
• Able to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines in fast-paced development environment

Good to Have:

• Familiarity with IPC standards (IPC-2221, IPC-2222, IPC-7351, IPC-6012) for PCB design and manufacturing
• Experience with ANSI, ISO, and ITAR compliance requirements for regulated industries
• Exposure to high-speed digital interfaces (DDR3/4/5, PCIe Gen 3/4/5, USB 3.x, HDMI, DisplayPort, 10G/25G Ethernet)
• Knowledge of RF/microwave PCB design techniques
• Familiarity with rigid-flex and flexible PCB design
• Experience with blind/buried vias, microvias, and HDI (High-Density Interconnect) technologies
• Understanding of thermal management and thermal simulation
• Scripting skills (SKILL, Tcl, or Python) for Allegro automation
• Knowledge of other EDA tools (Altium, PADS, OrCAD)