Astrolab

Designs modular lunar rovers for exploration

PCB Designer

Board & Electronics DesignUpdated on Nov 13

Full-timeHawthorne, CA, USA$140k - $230k /yrHybrid

About the Job

Requirements

A bachelor's degree in a science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM)-related field is required.
At least 1 year of experience with PCB layout, component creation, and library management is required.
Experience with Altium Designer or equivalent ECAD tools is required.

Responsibilities

Perform schematic-capture support and PCB layout for complex, high-reliability electronics, including multilayer, high-speed, mixed-signal, and power designs; execute constraint-driven layout involving impedance control, differential routing, and power-integrity considerations.
Lead Altium component-library development, define component-creation and lifecycle-management processes, create and maintain symbols, footprints, and 3D models for commonly used parts, and govern libraries for consistency, accuracy, and reuse.
Collaborate with Responsible Engineers and mechanical and thermal engineers on design integration; iterate designs based on prototype feedback, test results, and manufacturing input.
Prepare electronics designs for manufacturing with a focus on design-for-manufacturability readiness; generate and review fabrication and assembly drawings, stackups, and design notes; support design-for-manufacturability and design-for-assembly reviews with PCB and PCBA contract manufacturers.
Set up and maintain Altium project templates and configurations; define PCB layout guidelines, stackup rules, constraints, and baseline drawing notes; configure manufacturing packages and the release process.
Develop documentation and training materials covering Altium project setup, component creation, PCB layout rules, tool configuration, and PCBA release processes.

Desired Qualifications

Experience designing and releasing electronics for aerospace, space, or other high-reliability applications.
Experience with multilayer PCB stackups and materials, high-speed design principles including signal integrity and controlled impedance, and power-distribution and grounding strategies.
Experience with IPC standards such as IPC-2220, IPC-2152, IPC-7351, IPC-A-600, and IPC-A-610.
IPC Certified Interconnect Designer (CID) certification; advanced CID+ certification is a plus.
Experience with rigid-flex and HDI designs, via-in-pad, and blind and buried vias.
Experience designing for environmental requirements, including vibration, thermal, EMI/EMC, and radiation considerations.
Experience with PLM systems, configuration management, and release workflows, and working with fabrication and assembly vendors.
For senior and staff levels, experience defining library governance, layout standards, and release processes from the ground up, and supporting the selection of PCB and PCBA contract manufacturers.

Astrolab is The Lunar Operations Company. We design and build the systems and hardware the lunar economy will come to depend on — rovers, power, and data networks for sustained operations on the Moon. We are focused on the problems that must be solved before the next chapter of human exploration can scale. The Moon does not forgive untested assumptions. The people who work here know that, and they wouldn't have it any other way.

Astrolab is looking for a detail-oriented PCB Designer who will also serve as our ECAD Librarian, responsible for both high-quality PCB layout and the integrity of our Altium component library. This role is critical to ensuring design consistency, manufacturability, and configuration control. You will work closely with Responsible Engineers and Manufacturing Engineers to take designs from schematic to released manufacturing packages, and you will own the component library as the single source of truth for all PCB designs. This posting covers entry-level through staff-level positions, and leveling will be commensurate with experience.

PCB Layout: Perform schematic capture support and PCB layout for complex, high-reliability electronics, including multilayer, high-speed, mixed-signal, and power designs. Execute constraint-driven layout including impedance control, differential routing, and power integrity considerations
Library Ownership: Lead Altium component library development, including defining component creation and lifecycle management processes. Create and maintain symbols, footprints, and 3D models for commonly used parts, and organize and govern component libraries to ensure consistency, accuracy, and reuse
Design Integration: Collaborate with Responsible Engineers and mechanical and thermal engineers to ensure design integration, and iterate designs based on prototype feedback, test results, and manufacturing input
Manufacturing Readiness (DFM): Prepare electronics designs for manufacturing with a focus on DFM readiness. Generate and review fabrication and assembly drawings, stackups, and design notes, and support DFM/DFA reviews with PCB and PCBA contract manufacturers
Design Infrastructure: Set up and maintain Altium project templates and configurations. Define PCB layout guidelines, stackup rules, constraints, and baseline drawing notes, and configure manufacturing packages and the release process
Documentation & Training: Develop documentation and training materials covering Altium project setup, component creation, PCB layout rules, tool configuration, and PCBA release processes

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in a science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) related field
1+ years of experience with PCB layout, component creation, and library management
Experience with Altium Designer or equivalent ECAD tools

Preferred Qualifications

Experience designing and releasing electronics for aerospace, space, or other high-reliability applications
Experience with multilayer PCB stackups and materials, high-speed design principles including signal integrity and controlled impedance, and power distribution and grounding strategies
Experience with IPC standards such as IPC-2220, IPC-2152, IPC-7351, IPC-A-600, and IPC-A-610
IPC Certified Interconnect Designer (CID) certification, with advanced certification (CID+) a plus
Experience with rigid-flex and HDI designs, via-in-pad, and blind and buried vias
Experience designing for environmental requirements, including vibration, thermal, EMI/EMC, and radiation considerations
Experience with PLM systems, configuration management, and release workflows, and working with fabrication and assembly vendors
For senior and staff levels: experience defining library governance, layout standards, and release processes from the ground up, and supporting the selection of PCB and PCBA contract manufacturers

About the Company

Astrolab

Designs modular lunar rovers for exploration

Astrolab designs and builds modular rovers for lunar and extraterrestrial surface missions. Its flagship FLEX rover is a modular, reusable vehicle that can transport cargo, equipment, and crew across the Moon. The system works by using interchangeable payload modules on a shared rover chassis, allowing rapid reconfiguration for different mission profiles—from cargo delivery to astronaut transport—without needing a new vehicle. The rover is designed to be compatible with existing and planned space infrastructure, including NASA’s Artemis program, enabling integration with governmental and commercial lunar operations. What sets Astrolab apart is its emphasis on a single, adaptable platform with modular payloads that can handle a range of tasks and mission profiles, rather than many specialized, single-use machines. The company aims to enable a sustained lunar presence and expanded human activity beyond Earth by providing reliable, flexible surface mobility.

Company size: 51-200
Company stage: Not listed
Total funding: Not listed
Headquarters: Hawthorne, CA
Founded: 2019

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