Senior PCB Layout Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior PCB Layout Design Manager

Company: Rivian and VW Group Technology

Location: Palo Alto, California, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Engineering - Hardware Design / Operations

Date Posted: 2025-12-12T22:54:00

Experience Level: 12+ Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive and own end-to-end PCB designs for critical automotive Electronic Control Units (ECUs), focusing on high-speed, power, and mixed-signal applications.

• Lead the development and refinement of PCB design processes and workflows, ensuring alignment with automotive standards and best practices.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with engineering, program management, and external design houses to optimize resource allocation and manage project timelines effectively.

• Implement Design for Manufacturing (DFM) principles and work closely with contract manufacturers to ensure high-quality, manufacturable PCB designs.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of our ECAD tool configuration and component library management for enhanced efficiency and accuracy.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior Manager, implying significant responsibility for process ownership, strategic decision-making in design methodologies, and leadership in cross-functional collaboration beyond individual contributor tasks. The focus on "driving and owning" designs, "leading process improvement," and managing "external design houses" indicates a blend of technical expertise and operational management.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Technical Design Ownership & Execution:

  • Drive and own comprehensive PCB layout designs for major automotive systems, including ADAS, BMS, Body systems, and Infotainment Systems.
  • Design and implement high-speed, power, and mixed-signal PCB layout designs adhering to stringent automotive standards.
  • Manage designs incorporating High-Density Interconnect (HDI) design practices and advanced routing techniques.
  • Oversee critical high-speed signaling (e.g., DDR4, PCIe, CSI, LVDS) and high-voltage (HV) power delivery systems.
  • Optimize package designs to address space-constraint challenges while balancing performance trade-offs and signal integrity.
  • Build, maintain, and ensure the integrity of the company's component library for efficient and accurate design execution.

• Process and Workflow Leadership:

  • Serve as the primary contributor to overall process and workflow development for PCB design, bridging engineering and design teams.
  • Collaborate with Technical Program Managers to align on schedules and build resource plans, particularly for high-speed design environments.
  • Manage and coordinate workload with external design houses to ensure timely delivery of complex PCB designs.
  • Lead process improvement initiatives by working with the Design Manager and EDA team to automate repetitive tasks and mitigate common design errors.
  • Take responsibility for configuring the ECAD tool to ensure complete alignment with the Rivian VW Technology design and release process.
  • Foster a "Zoom Out & Deep Dive" mentality, understanding the impact of design decisions on the broader program and end-customer experience.
  • Drive data-driven decisions through deep dives into technical issues and performance analysis.
  • Lead the definition and development of new processes related to PCB design and layout best practices.

• Manufacturing and Quality Management:

  • Improve and optimize the durability and performance of automotive PCB designs through meticulous layout and adherence to quality standards.

  • Work directly with contract manufacturers to develop robust design rules for manufacturing (DFM), ensuring manufacturability.

  • Implement DFM feedback to ensure all final designs are manufacturable and produced to the highest quality standards.

  • Stay continuously updated on the latest manufacturing techniques and technologies to inform design strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly outline a senior-level role with a dual focus on technical execution and process management. The emphasis on "owning," "leading," and "managing" tasks, alongside specific technical areas like ADAS and BMS, highlights the strategic importance of this position within the product development lifecycle.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• 12+ years of progressive experience in PCB Layout design, with a strong emphasis on automotive electronics.

• Proven track record with full lifecycle development, from initial schematic capture and layout to manufacturing and production.

Required Skills:

• Advanced expertise in High-Density Interconnect (HDI) design practices, including microvias, blind/buried vias, and advanced layer stack-ups.

• Deep understanding and practical application of signal integrity (SI) and power integrity (PI) principles for high-speed digital and mixed-signal designs.

• Proven experience with high-speed interfaces such as DDR4, PCIe, CSI, and LVDS, including impedance control and routing strategies.

• Proficiency in designing for high-voltage (HV) and mixed-signal automotive applications.

• Advanced proficiency with Altium Designer for schematic capture and PCB layout.

• Strong creative thinking and a robust problem-solving toolbox for tackling complex design challenges.

• Experience working in a high-speed development environment with compressed timelines.

• Ability to build and maintain a comprehensive and accurate component library.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with Cadence Allegro or other leading ECAD tools.

• Familiarity with Battery Management Systems (BMS), ADAS, Infotainment, and Body Control Module (BCM) ECU architectures and their specific PCB design requirements.

• Knowledge of Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Test (DFT) methodologies.

• Experience working with external design houses and managing their output.

• Understanding of automotive quality standards and reliability requirements.

• Familiarity with scripting or automation for ECAD tasks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The extensive experience requirement (12+ years) and the emphasis on specific high-speed interfaces and SI/PI analysis indicate a need for a highly specialized and experienced candidate. The preference for a Bachelor's degree suggests a strong theoretical foundation alongside practical expertise. The inclusion of "creative thinking" and "problem-solving toolbox" points to a need for innovative approaches to design challenges.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 complex PCB layout design projects, ideally from the automotive sector, demonstrating full lifecycle ownership.

• Projects should highlight expertise in high-speed digital design (e.g., DDR, PCIe), power delivery networks (PDN), and mixed-signal routing.

• Include examples of designs that successfully addressed space constraints, complex component placement, and challenging routing scenarios.

• Provide clear documentation of design challenges, methodologies employed, and the results achieved, emphasizing DFM considerations and manufacturing outcomes.

Process Documentation:

• Present examples of process documentation or workflow diagrams developed for PCB layout design, illustrating improvements in efficiency, quality, or collaboration.

• Showcase contributions to component library management, including best practices for symbol and footprint creation and validation.

• Detail any experience in configuring ECAD tools or developing design rules to align with specific company processes and automotive standards.

• Include case studies that illustrate how data-driven decisions were made to resolve design issues or optimize performance.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is critical for this role, not just for showcasing technical skill but also for demonstrating process development and ownership capabilities. The emphasis on "full lifecycle ownership" and "process documentation" suggests interviewers will probe into how candidates manage and improve design workflows.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $213,000.00 - $266,000.00 per year Note: Actual compensation will be determined based on factors such as experience, location, and other qualifications permitted by law.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Retirement savings plan with company match (e.g., 401(k) or equivalent).

• Paid time off, including vacation days, sick leave, and holidays.

• Opportunities for professional development, including training, conferences, and certifications.

• Potential for stock options or other equity-based compensation, common in high-growth tech and automotive companies.

• Relocation assistance may be available for qualified candidates.

Working Hours:

• Standard 40-hour work week, with potential for overtime during peak project phases or critical development cycles.

• Flexibility may be offered, but the role's on-site nature and management responsibilities suggest a need for consistent availability during core business hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is competitive for a senior-level engineering management role in the Bay Area, reflecting the specialized skills and experience required. Benefits are typical for a large, established tech/automotive company. The mention of potential overtime aligns with the demanding nature of automotive development cycles.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Automotive Technology (Joint Venture for Software-Defined Vehicles)

Company Size: While specific numbers for the joint venture are not provided, Rivian is a significant player in the EV market, and Volkswagen Group is a global automotive giant. This joint venture likely operates with significant resources and a fast-paced, innovative culture.

Founded: The joint venture is a recent initiative, combining the established expertise of Rivian and Volkswagen Group. This suggests a dynamic environment focused on forward-thinking technological development.

Team Structure:

• The PCB Layout Design Manager will likely lead a team of PCB designers and potentially collaborate closely with hardware engineers, systems engineers, and program managers.

• Reporting structure is expected to be within a broader Hardware Engineering or Electronics division, potentially reporting to a Director or VP of Engineering.

Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making is a core principle, emphasizing rigorous analysis of performance metrics, simulation results, and manufacturing feedback.

• Process improvement initiatives are actively encouraged, aiming to enhance efficiency, reduce development time, and elevate design quality.

• A "think holistically" approach encourages understanding the broader impact of technical decisions on the product and customer.

• Agile or hybrid development methodologies are likely employed to manage rapid iteration and evolving requirements in the software-defined vehicle space.

Company Website: https://careers.rivianvw.tech/

📝 Enhancement Note: The joint venture nature suggests a culture that blends the innovation and agility of a startup with the strategic depth and resources of major corporations. The focus on software-defined vehicles implies a cutting-edge, technology-forward environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is a Senior Management position within the Engineering/Hardware Design track, focusing on the operational aspects of PCB design and process development. It represents a significant step up from an individual contributor PCB designer, involving leadership, strategic planning, and process ownership.

Reporting Structure: The Senior PCB Layout Design Manager will likely report to a Director or VP of Engineering, overseeing a team of PCB designers and collaborating closely with other engineering disciplines. This position is crucial for the successful execution of hardware development for key automotive ECUs.

Operations Impact: The role directly impacts the company's ability to deliver high-quality, reliable, and cost-effective electronic control units for its next-generation software-defined vehicles. Effective PCB design and manufacturing processes are fundamental to product performance, time-to-market, and overall vehicle reliability, which are critical for competitive differentiation in the automotive industry.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in advanced PCB technologies, high-speed signal integrity, power integrity, and emerging automotive electronics trends.

• Leadership Development: Progress into higher management roles, potentially leading larger engineering teams or expanding responsibilities to cover broader hardware development areas.

• Process Innovation: Drive significant advancements in ECAD tool utilization, automation, and design methodologies, becoming a recognized expert in operations and process optimization for hardware design.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain broader understanding of vehicle systems, software integration, and product lifecycle management, opening doors to roles in program management or systems engineering.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for growth into broader engineering leadership or specialized technical expert roles within the automotive technology sector. The emphasis on process and operations suggests opportunities for individuals who excel at optimizing workflows and driving efficiency.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The job is listed as "On-site," indicating a traditional office-based work environment within the Rivian and VW Group Technology facilities.

Office Location(s): Palo Alto, California, United States (607 Hansen Way, Palo Alto, CA 94304). This location is in the heart of Silicon Valley, offering access to a vibrant tech ecosystem.

Workspace Context:

• A collaborative office setting designed to foster interaction between design engineers, hardware engineers, and program management teams.

• Access to state-of-the-art design tools and potentially in-house testing/simulation equipment relevant to PCB development.

• Opportunities for direct engagement with colleagues and stakeholders, facilitating rapid problem-solving and idea exchange.

Work Schedule:

• Primarily standard business hours (e.g., 9 AM to 5 PM), with flexibility possible. However, as a Senior Manager, consistent presence and availability during core working hours are expected, especially for team leadership and collaboration with external partners. Extended hours may be required during critical project phases.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement is typical for roles involving direct team management, hands-on work with specialized equipment, and close collaboration with diverse teams. The Palo Alto location places the role within a prime technology hub.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess alignment with the technical and experience requirements.

• Technical Interview(s): In-depth discussions focused on PCB layout design principles, high-speed design techniques, SI/PI analysis, specific tool proficiency (Altium Designer), and experience with automotive ECUs. Expect scenario-based questions related to problem-solving and design challenges.

• Process & Workflow Discussion: Interviews will likely explore your experience in developing, documenting, and implementing design processes, managing component libraries, and working with ECAD tools and external vendors.

• Managerial/Leadership Interview: An assessment of your leadership style, team management capabilities, cross-functional collaboration skills, and strategic thinking related to operations and process improvement.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to evaluate cultural fit, overall strategic alignment, and final decision-making.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase your expertise in high-speed, power, HDI, and automotive-specific designs. Prioritize projects demonstrating full lifecycle ownership and process improvements.

• Highlight Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your solution (design choices, process improvements), and the quantifiable results (e.g., improved performance, reduced cost, faster time-to-market, successful manufacturing outcomes).

• Process Focus: Include documentation or examples of processes you've developed or improved, such as workflow diagrams, library management strategies, or DFM guidelines.

• Tool Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your experience with Altium Designer in detail, including specific features used for complex designs and problem-solving.

• Conciseness and Clarity: Present your portfolio in a clear, organized manner, using visuals where appropriate. Be prepared to walk through specific design decisions and rationale.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Scenario: You might be given a hypothetical PCB design problem (e.g., routing a high-speed interface with specific constraints, addressing a power integrity issue) and asked to outline your approach, tools, and considerations.

• Process Improvement Exercise: Be prepared to discuss how you would improve a given PCB design workflow or address a common issue like component library management or DFM feedback implementation.

• Stakeholder Management: Practice articulating technical concepts and process rationale to non-technical stakeholders, demonstrating your ability to influence and collaborate effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on both technical depth and process/operations management means candidates should prepare to discuss not only "how" they design PCBs but also "how" they manage the design process, improve workflows, and collaborate with teams and external partners.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• ECAD Software: Advanced proficiency in Altium Designer is mandatory. Experience with Cadence Allegro is a significant plus.

• Simulation Tools: Experience with SI/PI simulation tools (e.g., HyperLynx, Sigrity) is essential for high-speed and power integrity analysis.

• Component Library Management Tools: Familiarity with systems for managing, creating, and validating PCB component footprints and symbols.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this role, but understanding how PCB design data integrates into broader PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) or ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems could be advantageous.

• Experience with scripting (e.g., Python, Tcl) for automating repetitive tasks within ECAD tools is highly desirable for process improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: Altium Designer is explicitly called out as a required skill, making it the primary tool of focus. The mention of SI/PI simulation tools and the need for process automation highlights the technical sophistication expected.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & Technology Leadership: A drive to push boundaries in automotive electronics and software-defined vehicles.

• Quality & Reliability: A deep commitment to engineering excellence, ensuring products meet the highest automotive standards for durability and performance.

• Efficiency & Optimization: A focus on streamlining processes, automating tasks, and maximizing resource utilization to achieve development goals.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Relying on rigorous analysis, simulation, and empirical data to inform design choices and process improvements.

• Collaboration & Cross-Functional Partnership: Valuing teamwork and open communication across different departments and with external partners.

Collaboration Style:

• Proactive & Integrated: Expect to engage actively with hardware engineers, software developers, systems architects, program managers, and manufacturing teams.

• Process-Oriented: Discussions will likely revolve around design specifications, process adherence, DFM feedback, and schedule alignment.

• Problem-Solving Focused: A culture that encourages tackling challenges collaboratively, leveraging diverse expertise to find optimal solutions.

• Continuous Improvement: An open environment for suggesting and implementing process enhancements and adopting new technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values emphasize a blend of cutting-edge technology development and robust engineering discipline, crucial for the automotive sector. The collaboration style points to a dynamic, team-centric environment where clear communication and proactive engagement are key.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Rapid Technological Evolution: Staying abreast of fast-changing automotive electronics, high-speed interfaces, and emerging PCB manufacturing technologies.

• Complex System Integration: Designing PCBs that seamlessly integrate with sophisticated software and hardware components in a highly interconnected vehicle architecture.

• Stringent Automotive Standards: Meeting rigorous safety, reliability, and performance requirements demanded by the automotive industry.

• Balancing Constraints: Effectively managing trade-offs between performance, cost, size, and manufacturability within tight development schedules.

• Managing External Resources: Successfully coordinating and ensuring quality output from external design houses.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Technical Training: Access to specialized courses and workshops in areas like advanced signal integrity, power integrity, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), and new PCB fabrication techniques.

• Industry Conferences & Events: Opportunities to attend leading automotive electronics and PCB design conferences to stay current with industry trends and network.

• Mentorship Programs: Potential for mentorship from senior engineering leaders within Rivian and VW Group.

• Leadership Development: Formal training and on-the-job experience in people management, strategic planning, and operational leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to working at the forefront of automotive technology, requiring continuous learning and adaptability. The growth opportunities are substantial, offering pathways for both deep technical expertise and broad leadership development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Describe your approach to designing a complex, multi-layer PCB for a high-speed interface (e.g., DDR5 or PCIe Gen 5) in an automotive environment. What are the key considerations for SI and PI?

• How do you define and implement new processes for PCB layout design? Walk me through an example of a process improvement you led.

• How do you ensure your PCB designs meet stringent automotive quality and reliability standards? What steps do you take to incorporate DFM feedback?

• You are managing a project with a tight deadline, and an external design house is falling behind. How do you address this situation?

Company & Culture Questions:

• What interests you about Rivian and VW Group Technology and our joint mission to create software-defined vehicles?

• How do you foster a collaborative environment within your design team and with other engineering disciplines?

• Describe your experience with data-driven decision-making in your design process.

• How do you stay current with the latest advancements in PCB design technology and manufacturing?

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio by project. For each project, clearly state the objective, your role, the key technical challenges, the design solutions implemented (including specific SI/PI techniques, HDI features, DFM considerations), the tools used, and the final outcome/impact.

• Quantify: Use metrics whenever possible to demonstrate success (e.g., signal integrity margins achieved, power delivery network stability, reduction in manufacturing defects, adherence to schedule).

• Process Emphasis: Highlight any process improvements or documentation you contributed to. Show examples of your component library management practices or ECAD tool configuration.

• Visuals: Include relevant schematics, layout screenshots, and simulation results to illustrate your work.

• Storytelling: Frame your projects as challenges you overcame, demonstrating your problem-solving skills and technical acumen. Be ready to discuss specific design decisions and trade-offs.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should strongly emphasize the integration of technical PCB design skills with operational responsibilities, process development, and leadership competencies. Candidates should be ready to discuss their experience with Altium Designer and SI/PI analysis in detail, as well as their ability to manage workflows and external vendors.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior PCB Layout Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Rivian and VW Group Technology careers portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight your 12+ years of PCB layout experience, with a strong emphasis on automotive applications, high-speed/power design, SI/PI analysis, HDI techniques, and Altium Designer proficiency. Showcase any experience in process development and workflow optimization.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your leadership experience, process ownership, and achievements in driving PCB design projects from concept to manufacturing. Use keywords from the job description like "ADAS," "Infotainment," "High-Speed Design," "Power Integrity," "Signal Integrity," and "Altium Designer."

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your technical expertise, process improvement methodologies, and leadership approach. Prepare specific examples from your portfolio that demonstrate your ability to solve complex design challenges and manage design workflows effectively.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Rivian and VW Group Technology's mission, their focus on software-defined vehicles, and the current automotive technology landscape. Understand their commitment to innovation and quality.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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