Kapta Space
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Lead PCB Designer – Spaceborne Radar Systems
role at
Kapta Space
Kapta Space, a VC‑funded early‑stage startup in Seattle, WA, is breaking new ground in Geospatial Intelligence. Our technology centers around a proven, scalable electronically‑steered radar for sophisticated spaceborne applications such as earth observation using synthetic aperture radar (SAR) techniques, as well as enabling advanced defense missions such as target tracking.
Key Responsibilities
Technical Ownership & Design Execution
Lead PCB layout design for high‑speed digital, mixed‑signal, RF front‑end, and power management boards supporting spaceborne radar payloads and phased‑array antenna modules
In collaboration with the Responsible Engineer (RE), provide inputs 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
Perform full lifecycle design ownership—from schematic collaboration and layout execution through fabrication, assembly, and bring‑up support
Partner with RE to integrate board design within mechanical, RF, thermal, and system‑level constraints, ensuring mechanical compatibility, manufacturability, and serviceability
Serve as point of contact for standardized PCB layout, DFM/DFA/DFT rules, ECAD constraint management, and centralized component‑library oversight
Partake 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. Collaborate with RE and Program Office to 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 (e.g., polyimide, low‑outgassing, or radiation‑tolerant materials)
Required Qualifications
Associates or Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related discipline (or demonstrated equivalent skills and experience)
Significant experience of professional PCB layout experience
Significant experience as a principal‑level individual contributor working with multi‑disciplinary engineering teams delivering complex spaceborne hardware
Expert proficiency in Altium Designer and strong command of constraint‑driven design
Understanding of impedance control, differential pair routing, grounding strategies, thermal management, and EMI/EMC mitigation
Significant experience with DFM/DFA/DFT principles and close collaboration with PCB fabrication and assembly vendors
Familiarity with aerospace or defense hardware design requirements (shock, vibration, thermal, radiation, reliability)
Experience leading Altium toolchain integration, library management, and automation/scripting
Excellent communication skills, with ability to present to senior leadership and collaborate with customers and suppliers
Must be eligible to obtain and hold a US DoD security clearance (TS with SCI)
Bonus if candidates have experience and skills in the following areas
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
Layout skills for Power Integrity
Layout skills for Signal Integrity
Knowledge of thermal transfer through PCB materials is a plus
Must be eligible to work on U.S. export‑controlled projects (ITAR)
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, JESD, Ethernet)
May require occasional travel to fabrication partners or testing facilities
Flexibility to support critical program milestones during extended hours when necessary
Concerned you do not meet all the requirements? Not a problem - please apply even if you do not meet all these criteria.
Kapta Space is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. We believe that diversity drives innovation, strengthens our team, and broadens our capabilities. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and encourage individuals from underrepresented groups to apply.
Kapta Space does not engage with external recruiters or agencies without prior written agreement. If you are a recruiter (individual or agency) and wish to engage with Kapta Space for talent acquisition, please email
hr@kaptaspace.com .
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. All final hiring decisions are made by humans.
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Lead PCB Designer – Spaceborne Radar Systems
role at
Kapta Space
Kapta Space, a VC‑funded early‑stage startup in Seattle, WA, is breaking new ground in Geospatial Intelligence. Our technology centers around a proven, scalable electronically‑steered radar for sophisticated spaceborne applications such as earth observation using synthetic aperture radar (SAR) techniques, as well as enabling advanced defense missions such as target tracking.
Key Responsibilities
Technical Ownership & Design Execution
Lead PCB layout design for high‑speed digital, mixed‑signal, RF front‑end, and power management boards supporting spaceborne radar payloads and phased‑array antenna modules
In collaboration with the Responsible Engineer (RE), provide inputs 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
Perform full lifecycle design ownership—from schematic collaboration and layout execution through fabrication, assembly, and bring‑up support
Partner with RE to integrate board design within mechanical, RF, thermal, and system‑level constraints, ensuring mechanical compatibility, manufacturability, and serviceability
Serve as point of contact for standardized PCB layout, DFM/DFA/DFT rules, ECAD constraint management, and centralized component‑library oversight
Partake 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. Collaborate with RE and Program Office to 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 (e.g., polyimide, low‑outgassing, or radiation‑tolerant materials)
Required Qualifications
Associates or Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related discipline (or demonstrated equivalent skills and experience)
Significant experience of professional PCB layout experience
Significant experience as a principal‑level individual contributor working with multi‑disciplinary engineering teams delivering complex spaceborne hardware
Expert proficiency in Altium Designer and strong command of constraint‑driven design
Understanding of impedance control, differential pair routing, grounding strategies, thermal management, and EMI/EMC mitigation
Significant experience with DFM/DFA/DFT principles and close collaboration with PCB fabrication and assembly vendors
Familiarity with aerospace or defense hardware design requirements (shock, vibration, thermal, radiation, reliability)
Experience leading Altium toolchain integration, library management, and automation/scripting
Excellent communication skills, with ability to present to senior leadership and collaborate with customers and suppliers
Must be eligible to obtain and hold a US DoD security clearance (TS with SCI)
Bonus if candidates have experience and skills in the following areas
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
Layout skills for Power Integrity
Layout skills for Signal Integrity
Knowledge of thermal transfer through PCB materials is a plus
Must be eligible to work on U.S. export‑controlled projects (ITAR)
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, JESD, Ethernet)
May require occasional travel to fabrication partners or testing facilities
Flexibility to support critical program milestones during extended hours when necessary
Concerned you do not meet all the requirements? Not a problem - please apply even if you do not meet all these criteria.
Kapta Space is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. We believe that diversity drives innovation, strengthens our team, and broadens our capabilities. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and encourage individuals from underrepresented groups to apply.
Kapta Space does not engage with external recruiters or agencies without prior written agreement. If you are a recruiter (individual or agency) and wish to engage with Kapta Space for talent acquisition, please email
hr@kaptaspace.com .
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. All final hiring decisions are made by humans.
#J-18808-Ljbffr