Lead PCB Designer (RF/Radar) - Spaceborne Synthetic Aperture Radar and Defense Target-Tracking Missions

Job Title: Lead PCB Designer (RF/Radar)

Job Description

An exciting new VC space startup in Seattle, WA is seeking an accomplished Lead PCB Designer to own the architecture, execution, and quality assurance of printed circuit board layouts supporting our scalable electronically-steered radar (ESR) hardware for sophisticated spaceborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and advanced defense target-tracking missions. This role blends hands-on technical layout work with leadership of standards, design processes, and mentoring of a small team of PCB designers. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience developing high-speed, mixed-signal, RF, and power boards for space or aerospace environments and thrive in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary setting. As an early-stage team member, you’ll have the opportunity to share in the company’s growth through equity participation.

What You'll Do

• Design and layout high-speed digital, mixed-signal, RF front-end, and power management boards supporting spaceborne radar payloads and phased-array antenna modules.
• Collaborate with the Responsible Engineer to define and maintain board-level architecture, layer stack-ups, and routing strategies ensuring signal integrity, impedance control, and EMI/EMC compliance.
• Execute detailed component placement and routing for complex multi-layer designs including high-density BGAs, SERDES, DDR, FPGA, and high-frequency RF interconnects.
• Own the full lifecycle design, from schematic collaboration and layout execution through fabrication, assembly, and bring-up support.
• Integrate board design within mechanical, RF, thermal, and system-level constraints, ensuring mechanical compatibility, manufacturability, and serviceability.
• Serve as the point of contact for standardized PCB layout, DFM/DFA/DFT rules, ECAD constraint management, and centralized component-library oversight.
• Participate in formal design reviews, enforce design rules, and ensure documentation packages meet aerospace and defense standards.
• Coordinate with Contract Design Services partners to ensure alignment with internal engineering standards and deliverables.
• Support PCB fabrication and assembly vendors DFM and inquiries, ensuring compliance with stack-up, impedance, and material specifications for space/defense environments.
• Contribute to supply-chain readiness and material qualification efforts for high-reliability boards.
  
  

What You'll Bring

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s in Electrical/Computer Engineering or equivalent experience
• Expert in PCB layout and Altium Designer
• Strong knowledge of constraint-driven design, impedance control, grounding, thermal management, EMI/EMC mitigation
• Experience with DFM/DFA/DFT and vendor collaboration
• Familiarity with aerospace/defense standards and environmental testing (shock, vibration, thermal, radiation, reliability)
• Skilled in Altium toolchain integration, ECAD libraries, and automation
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• Eligible for US DoD TS/SCI clearance
  
  

Bonus If You Have The Following

• Experience designing PCBs for spacecraft payloads, synthetic aperture radar systems, or electronically-steered RF arrays.
• Proficiency with 3D ECAD/MCAD co-design workflows and mechanical constraint management.
• Knowledge of IPC Class 3 and NASA or MIL specifications for PCB fabrication and assembly.
• Exposure to high-power or high-voltage design practices and power-integrity simulation tools.
• Knowledge of thermal transfer through PCB materials.
• Experience with high-frequency RF routing principles and circuits.
• Experience developing mission-critical hardware for space and/or defense environments.
• Significant experience designing complex multi-layer PCBs with high-speed interfaces (PCIe, DDR, SERDES).
• Flexibility to support critical program milestones during extended hours when necessary.
• Eligibility to work on U.S. export-controlled projects (ITAR).
  
  

Work Environment

This position is based in an office setting in Seattle, WA. The role may require occasional travel to fabrication partners or testing facilities. As an early-stage team member, you’ll have the opportunity to share in the company’s growth through equity participation. Relocation assistance is negotiable for candidates who are interested in relocating to Seattle, WA region for this opportunity.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Seattle, WA.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $100000.00 - $175000.00/yr.

Base Salary + Equity Options: Choose the mix that fits your priorities—higher base salary with lower equity or lower salary with higher equity for greater long-term upside. Ownership Opportunity: Equity grants give you a stake in Kapta Space’s growth and success as we scale in the geospatial intelligence market. Relocation Assistance: Negotiable support for candidates moving to the Seattle area.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Seattle,WA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jan 2, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.