How to hire a pcb designer

How to hire a pcb designer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step pcb designer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a pcb designer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new pcb designer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a pcb designer do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a pcb designer, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A pcb designer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, pcb designers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list shows salaries for various types of pcb designers.

   Type of PCB Designer	Description	Hourly rate
   PCB Designer	Electrical engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the manufacturing of electrical equipment, such as electric motors, radar and navigation systems, communications systems, and power generation equipment. Electronics engineers design and develop electronic equipment, such as broadcast and communications systems—from portable music players to global positioning systems (GPSs).	$23-55
   Engineering Trainee	An engineering trainee is responsible for shadowing engineers in their duties and performing administrative tasks as needed. Engineering trainees assist the engineers in inspecting construction sites and conducting field research... Show more	$20-39
   Telecommunication Engineer	A telecommunication engineer is responsible for installing, testing, and repairing telecommunication systems including mobile telephone networks and fiber optic and digital satellite systems. Your day-to-day duties include diagnosing and troubleshooting systems faults, installing static and mobile antennae on masts and buildings, and designing, developing, and testing telecommunications equipment and components... Show more	$28-52

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • RF
   • DFM
   • PCB Layout
   • Schematic Capture
   • IPC Standards
   • Assembly Drawings
   • Circuit Board Design
   • Cadence Allegro
   • Solidworks
   • Mentor Graphics
   • UL
   • BOM
   • Component Placement
   • Surface Mount

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Control and manage the testing documentation of magnetics and mechanical documents using custom small scale PDM system base on windows files.
   • Create training material, design standards and databases for component information using IPC, OrCAD CIS for MWD and LWD systems.
   • Verify with contract manufacturer that PCB assembly meets DFM & DFT guidelines.
   • Collaborate with local, national and international telecommunication providers to supply T1, DS3, OCN, E1 and Ethernet connectivity.
   • Develop software and HMI programs.
   • Experience with BGA, micro BGA packaging.

   More pcb designer duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your pcb designer job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A pcb designer can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, pcb designers' average salary in montana is 58% less than in rhode island.
   • Seniority. Entry-level pcb designers 59% less than senior-level pcb designers.
   • Certifications. A pcb designer with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a pcb designer's salary.

   Average pcb designer salary

   $74,841yearly

   $35.98 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level pcb designer salary

   $48,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 23, 2026

   Average pcb designer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$106,157	$51
   2	Washington	$84,957	$41
   3	Maryland	$79,535	$38
   4	Texas	$78,431	$38
   5	Massachusetts	$78,065	$38
   6	Colorado	$72,678	$35
   7	Arizona	$71,885	$35
   8	New York	$67,249	$32
   9	Ohio	$65,854	$32
   10	North Carolina	$62,198	$30
   11	Florida	$58,380	$28
   12	Minnesota	$54,807	$26
   13	Iowa	$49,754	$24

   Average pcb designer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Apple	$126,243	$60.69	377
   2	Renesas Electronics	$105,959	$50.94	14
   3	Meyer Sound	$92,738	$44.59
   4	APN	$91,435	$43.96
   5	Sloan Valve	$89,257	$42.91
   6	Tsi Corp	$89,061	$42.82	2
   7	Spellman High Voltage Electronics	$88,699	$42.64	2
   8	FormFactor	$86,527	$41.60	7
   9	Belcan	$85,129	$40.93	20
   10	Innovative Solutions & Support	$83,995	$40.38
   11	Emerson	$83,652	$40.22	41
   12	Cohu	$83,086	$39.95
   13	CyberCoders	$81,383	$39.13
   14	Gilat Satellite Networks	$80,891	$38.89
   15	Aerotek	$78,449	$37.72	6
   16	L3Harris	$77,476	$37.25	74
   17	Astrodyne TDI	$76,833	$36.94	10
   18	Smiths Interconnect	$76,793	$36.92	3
   19	Methode Electronics	$75,599	$36.35
   20	Advance Green Energy	$74,967	$36.04

4. Writing a pcb designer job description

   A pcb designer job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a pcb designer job description:

   Pcb designer job description example

   Study PCB design trends and processes, and then evaluate and implement those processes that apply to Apple's core technologies. Conduct design feasibility studies to evaluate the PCB design goals for packaging, cost, manufacturing and system performance. Assist lower level PCB Designer in the resolution of critical design problems. Train PCB Designers in specialized areas of PCB design. Propose PCB design trade-offs to the engineering design team for resolution and implementation. Perform complex and difficult CAD and CAE tasks requiring extensive skill and knowledge of equipment capabilities, applications techniques and design limitations. Understand Apple's design standards for Manufacturing and Test. Understands the requirements for a quality design and strives to achieve the requirements before releasing the product to manufacturing. Understands the driving PCB technology and process trends and their application to Apple's designs. Maintain technical coordination with Engineering, Products Design, Test, EMC Engineering and Manufacturing. Resolve PCB design issues with fabrication and manufacturing vendors. Passionately participates in the evolution and definition of Apple's Design For Manufacturing (DFM) guidelines. Participate and provide recommendations into the PCB design specifications and standards with respect to product design, electrical design, manufacturing and various regulatory agency requirements to figure out design trade-offs necessary to meet design goals and produce high quality PCB's at the lowest cost and within schedule.
   **Education & Experience**
   
   **Additional Requirements**
   
   **Apple Footer**
   
   Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We take affirmative action to ensure equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant (Opens in a new window) .
   
   Apple will not discriminate or retaliate against applicants who inquire about, disclose, or discuss their compensation or that of other applicants. United States Department of Labor. Learn more (Opens in a new window) .
   
   Apple is required to comply with a COVID-19 vaccination mandate issued by the New York City Department of Health. We will verify the vaccination status of all New York City team members who are working at an Apple Store, office, or partner store in New York City. New York City Department of Health Learn more (Opens in a new window) .
   
   Apple will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable law. If you're applying for a position in San Francisco, review the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance guidelines (opens in a new window) applicable in your area.
   
   Apple participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations as required by law. Learn more about the E-Verify program (Opens in a new window) .
   
   Apple is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to applicants with physical and mental disabilities. Apple is a drug-free workplace. Reasonable Accommodation and Drug Free Workplace policy Learn more (Opens in a new window) .

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right pcb designer for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your pcb designer job on Zippia to find and recruit pcb designer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit pcb designers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new pcb designer

   Once you have selected a candidate for the pcb designer position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new pcb designer. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a pcb designer?