PCB Design Engineering Lead

The PCB Design Engineering Lead at Shield AI will be responsible for overseeing a skilled team of CAD engineers, establishing PCB design team standards and processes, and directly contributing to PCB designs and library work. Additionally, you will engage cross-functionally with various engineering teams, support manufacturing by incorporating reliability feedback, and manage the workload and priorities of your team to ensure timely project completion.

To qualify for the PCB Design Engineering Lead role at Shield AI, candidates should possess at least 10 years of experience as a PCB design engineer, with a minimum of 3 years in a leadership or managerial capacity. A strong understanding of PCB design processes, extensive knowledge in constraints, net classes, and BOM management, as well as familiarity with Altium is essential. Exceptional communication and organizational skills are also crucial for success in this role.

Ideal candidates for the PCB Design Engineering Lead position at Shield AI should exhibit a mastery of power electronics, RF, and high-speed design principles. While aerospace or defense experience is beneficial, it is not a strict requirement. A comprehensive grasp of IPC standards and PCB materials will be advantageous in ensuring the production of high-quality, reliable designs.

Collaboration is key at Shield AI, and the PCB Design Engineering Lead will work closely with multiple engineering teams, including electrical, mechanical, thermal, and HW test engineering divisions. This cross-functional interaction helps to ensure holistic approaches are adopted in designing products that meet all technical requirements and reliability standards.

The salary range for the PCB Design Engineering Lead position at Shield AI is competitive, with annual compensation falling between $185,416 and $278,124. This range is influenced by various factors such as skill set, experience level, certifications, and specific work location. The package also includes bonuses and equity options as well as comprehensive benefits.

When answering this question, share specific projects where you managed the PCB design lifecycle from concept to production. Highlight your understanding of best practices, materials, and standards, particularly IPC standards, that ensure manufacturability and reliability of designs.

In your response, detail a specific challenging project that showcases your problem-solving abilities and technical skills. Discuss the obstacles you faced, how you approached them, the result, and what you learned from the experience.

Discuss your methods for prioritizing tasks, such as considering project deadlines, team strengths, and critical project requirements. Emphasize your communication skills and how you engage your team in the process to ensure everyone is aligned and focused.

Explain your approach to working with other engineering teams. Share examples of how you have successfully collaborated with electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, and others, emphasizing the outcomes of these collaborative efforts.

Articulate your leadership style, whether it’s collaborative, transformational, or a blend of different styles. Include real examples that illustrate how your approach has fostered teamwork, creativity, and empowerment among your engineers.

Discuss the importance of feedback loops and how you systematically incorporate findings from reliability and failure feedback into your designs. Share specific instances where this process significantly improved design outcomes.

Provide insights into your familiarity with PCB manufacturing processes, including how you liaise with vendors to ensure designs are feasible. Discuss any experience you have in selecting materials and managing revisions based on manufacturing feedback.

Outline your mentoring approach, which may include one-on-one sessions, shadowing opportunities, and structured feedback. Share experiences that highlight the development and success of junior engineers under your guidance.

Mention your efforts to stay current with industry trends, such as attending workshops, participating in forums, or reading relevant publications. Emphasize your commitment to continuing education in the engineering field.

Discuss specific strategies for maintaining and organizing PCB design libraries, including version control, documentation practices, and how you ensure that your team adheres to these systems for maximum efficiency and accuracy.