Manager, PCB Design

Overview

At Vast, our mission is to contribute to a future where billions of people are living and thriving in space. Vast is developing next-generation space stations to ensure a continuous human presence in space for America and its allies, enabling advanced microgravity research and manufacturing, and unlocking a new space economy for government, corporate, and private customers. Using an incremental, hardware-rich and low-cost approach, Vast is rapidly developing its multi-module Haven Station.

Haven Demo’s 2025 success made Vast the only operational commercial space station company to fly and operate its own spacecraft. Next, Haven-1 is expected to become the world’s first commercial space station when it launches, followed by additional Haven modules to enable permanent human presence by 2030. Our team is all-in, committed to executing our mission safely and on time.

If you want to work with the most talented people on Earth furthering space exploration for humanity, come join us.

• Lead and manage the PCB Design Team, ensuring high-quality and timely delivery of PCB designs that meet project requirements.
• Collaborate closely with engineers and cross-functional teams to translate system requirements into PCB designs.
• Oversee the design and layout of custom printed circuit boards, adhering to IPC design standards and guidelines.
• Manage relationships with vendors, ensuring PCB stack-up and routing meet design for manufacturing (DFM) guidelines.
• Ensure the team s designs meet all necessary design requirements, including high-speed, impedance-controlled stack-up, and multi-layer board layout standards.
• Lead the generation of necessary artworks and drawings for fabrication and assembly.
• Develop, refine, and implement team processes for PCB design, part creation, and library/database management.
• Maintain and oversee design workflows within Altium Vault, ensuring best practices are followed.
• Mentor and train team members in PCB layout best practices, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Identify and implement opportunities for automation within the PCB design process, including script development.

• Bachelor’s Degree in a technical field
• 5+ years of PCB design experience
• 1+ years in a leadership role
• Extensive experience with Altium Designer CAD tool and PCB library management.
• Proven track record of designing high-speed, impedance-controlled stack-ups and multi-layer board layouts.
• In-depth knowledge of fine pitch BGA routing, including blind and buried vias, multi-rail power delivery, and high-speed signal integrity constraints.
• Experience in managing design constraints, including trace length matching and spacing rules.

• Extensive experience with PCB library management, component generation, high-speed digital and mixed signal board layout, floor planning.
• Strong knowledge of IPC 2221A, IPC 6012 Class 3, and IPC 7351 standards.
• Experience with various board types, including high-density digital designs with 14 layers or more, power electronics, flex circuits, and RF circuits.
• Deep understanding of PCB fabrication processes, limitations, design rules, and industry best practices.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills, with a proven ability to manage and motivate a team in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment and manage multiple projects simultaneously.

• Willingness to work overtime, or weekends to support critical mission milestones.

Pay Range:
California

$150,000—$175,000 USD

Base salary will vary depending on job-related knowledge, education, skills, experience, business needs, and market demand. Salary is just one component of our comprehensive compensation package. Full-time employees also receive company equity, as well as access to a full suite of compelling benefits and perks, including: 100% medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents, flexible paid time off for exempt staff and up to 10 days of vacation for non-exempt staff, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability insurance, life…