Technical Lead - PCB Design Engineer

The Technical Lead - PCB Design Engineer will lead complex PCB layout and design, ensuring compliance with technical and manufacturing standards, and collaborating with cross-functional engineering teams. This role involves developing and releasing technical documentation for PCB/PCBA and components through design reviews and qualification testing. The engineer will support PCB/PCBA products from initial manufacturing builds to mass production, applying CAD, CAM, and CAE tools for design and drawings, and conducting engineering reviews for corrective actions.

Must Have

• Generate PCB CAD layout design data to meet product requirements.
• Check complete layouts and drawings for completeness and conformity to standards.
• Conduct comprehensive design reviews with engineering teams and manufacturing partners.
• Plan and execute PCB design project tasks according to schedules.
• Participate in PCB/PCBA product failure evaluations and analysis.
• Provide recommendations to improve PCB testability, reliability, and robustness.
• Address components and material obsolescence.
• Release and update Bills of Material, technical drawings, and PCB CAD design data into Thales configuration document control system.
• Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Electrical engineering or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in PCB layout and routing mixed signal, high-speed digital, analog, low power, and high current designs for high-volume manufacturing processes.
• Experience with high-density interconnect (HDI), including Double-Sided PCBs, Multilayer PCBs, Flex PCBs, and Rigid-Flex PCBs.
• Experience with CAD tools: Allegro, OrCAD, Valor (DFM), and AutoCAD (2D).
• Able to generate parts for PCBs and update/maintain libraries, link schematic capture files to PCB layout.
• Proficient in AutoCAD for generating fabrication and assembly drawings in accordance with IPC - ASME standards.
• Experience in Product Data Management tools, such as Team Center.
• Understanding of IPC 2221, 2222, 600, 610, 6012, 6013, 7351, and 7352 industry standards.
• Skills in Microsoft Office use: Excel, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Teams.

Good to Have

• Evidence of excellent communication skills and working with a global cross-functional team.
• Capable of presenting information to project leaders and influencing key stakeholders.
• Ability to prioritize tasks while meeting deadlines in a high-pressure environment.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a highly dynamic environment.
• Ability to drive for results, hold self and others accountable, and continuously improve.
• Self-starter with the ability to work through ambiguity and evolving requirements.

Thales is a global technology leader trusted by governments, institutions, and enterprises to tackle their most demanding challenges. From quantum applications and artificial intelligence to cybersecurity and 6G innovation, our solutions empower critical decisions rooted in human intelligence. Operating at the forefront of aerospace and space, cybersecurity and digital identity, we’re driven by a mission to build a future we can all trust.

Present in India since 1953, Thales is headquartered in Noida and has other operational offices and sites spread across Delhi, Gurugram, Bengaluru and Mumbai, among others. Over 2200 employees are working with Thales and its joint ventures in India. Since the beginning, Thales has been playing an essential role in India’s growth story by sharing its technologies and expertise in Defence, Aerospace and Cyber & Digital sectors. Thales has two engineering competence centres in India - one in Noida focused on Cyber & Digital business, while the one in Bengaluru focuses on hardware, software and systems engineering capabilities for both the civil and defence sectors, serving global needs. The Group has also established an MRO (Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul) facility in Gurugram to provide comprehensive avionics maintenance and repair services to Indian airlines and support the growth of the local aviation industry.

Position Summary:

Leading complex PCB layout and design, ensuring compliance with technical and manufacturing standards, and collaborating with cross-functional engineering teams. Develop, and release technical documentation of PCB/PCBA and components through design reviews and qualification testing. Support PCB/PCBA products through initial manufacturing builds and mass production. Work with third-party partner(s) as needed and internal multidisciplinary teams comprised of technical experts, program managers, field service, and Operations to execute product design details. PCB/PCBA designs shall enable efficient manufacturing, service and feature reliable performance and robust construction. Apply CAD, CAM, and CAE tools for PCB/PCBA design and drawings. Conduct engineering reviews in accordance with Thale’s development process and lead peer reviews among technical teams to examine and record findings for corrective actions on technical and documentation issues.

Internal customers:

• Hardware Engineering, Product Management, Industrial OPS, Purchasing and Procurement

External coordination:

• Development partners, contract manufacturers, suppliers, and vendors.

Essential Functions / Key Areas of Responsibility

• Generate PCB CAD layout design data to meet product requirements.
• Check complete layouts and drawings to clarify completeness, conformity to standards, procedures, specifications, manufacturability, and accuracy of calculations and dimensions.
• Conduct comprehensive design reviews with engineering teams and manufacturing partners to confirm completion of engineering, cost, and manufacturability requirements.
• Plan and execute PCB design project tasks according to project and/or program schedules.
• Participate in PCB/PCBA product failure evaluations and analysis and provide recommendations to improve PCB testability, reliability, robustness and address components and material obsolescence.
• Release and update Bills of Material, technical drawings, and PCB CAD design data into the Thales configuration document control system (Team Center) to meet Quality Assurance conformity standards and to maintain production configuration control.

Minimum Requirements: Skills, Experience, Education, Technical/Specialized Knowledge, Certifications, Language

• Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Electrical engineering or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in PCB layout and routing mixed signal, high-speed digital, analog, low power, and high current designs for high-volume manufacturing processes, and high-density interconnect (HDI), including Double-Sided PCBs, Multilayer PCBs, Flex PCBs, and Rigid-Flex PCBs.
• Experience with CAD tools: Allegro, OrCAD, Valor (DFM), and AutoCAD (2D).
• Able to generate parts for PCBs and update/maintain libraries, link schematic capture files to PCB layout.
• Candidate must be proficient in AutoCAD for generating fabrication and assembly drawings in accordance with IPC - ASME standards.
• Experience in Product Data Management tools, such Team Center or similar.
• Understanding of IPC 2221, 2222, 600, 610, 6012, 6013, 7351, and 7352 industry standards.
• Skills in Microsoft Office use: Excel, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Teams.

Personal skills:

• Evidence of excellent communication skills and working with a global cross-functional team.
• Capable of presenting information to project leaders and influencing key stakeholders.
• Ability to prioritize tasks while meeting deadlines in a high-pressure environment.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a highly dynamic environment.
• Ability to drive for results, hold self and others accountable, and continuously improve.
• Self-starter with the ability to work through ambiguity and evolving requirements.

At Thales, we’re committed to fostering a workplace where respect, trust, collaboration, and passion drive everything we do. Here, you’ll feel empowered to bring your best self, thrive in a supportive culture, and love the work you do. Join us, and be part of a team reimagining technology to create solutions that truly make a difference – for a safer, greener, and more inclusive world.