Fidus is a global high-tech design firm headquartered in Ottawa, with additional design centres in Kitchener-Waterloo and San Jose. We specialize in leading-edge electronic product development, with hardware, embedded software, FPGA/ASIC, and signal integrity teams working together to design and deliver next-generation products for clients in emerging technology markets.
Position Overview/Mandate:
The PCB Layout Designer is responsible for designing and delivering complex, high-speed, multi-layer PCBs for Fidus clients. You will work closely with hardware, signal integrity, mechanical teams, and manufacturing partners to translate electrical requirements into high-quality, manufacturable PCB layouts.
This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working on dense designs across different technologies and substrates, values attention to detail, and takes pride in producing robust, zero-defect layouts that meet performance, cost, and manufacturing requirements.
Make an Impact with US:
At Fidus, you'll work on high-speed, high-complexity electronic systems, often using emerging technologies before they reach the broader market. You'll collaborate across FPGA/DSP, hardware, embedded software, verification, SI/PI, PCB layout, and mechanical/thermal design as part of cross-functional teams delivering real products for our clients.
In practice, that means contributing to projects across Communications, Aerospace & Defence, Life Sciences & Medical Devices, Space & Satellite, Industrial Automation, Automotive, and Semiconductor engagements. You won't be limited to a single product or industry—your work will follow the technology, not just one roadmap.
What You’ll Be Doing:
Layout of complex, multi-layer, high speed PCBs using Cadence Allegro PCB Design, Mentor Expedition/PADS or Altium.
PCB layout design on different core material substrate, component placement, impedance matching and routing analysis
Work closely with the mechanical and the signal integrity team during product development phases
Generate fabrication drawings, assembly drawings and drill files
Work closely with board houses to ensure compliance with DFA and DFM practices and lead DFM reviews, until closure to ensure the design is ready for high volume manufacturing
Interface with board houses to resolve technical issues
Research and implement new techniques and technologies to grow the PCB design skill-set, reduce PCB cost, and stay current on industry PCB design practices.
Who You are:
Minimum 5 years of experience laying out dense, high-speed, digital and analog boards for various industries and products. You must have a proven track record for delivering high-quality designs.
Extensive experience applying advanced electrical constraint sets using the Allegro Constraint Manager, or equivalent
College technician diploma or equivalent
IPC certification will be considered an asset
Be detail driven and have a good understanding of how to produce zero-defect layouts
Understand the fundamentals of high-speed circuit card design and routing
Exhibit strong communication skills
Interact well with customers and other employees
Ramp-up quickly on new technologies and processes
Contribute to a dynamic and friendly working environment.
Layout of complex, multi-layer, high speed PCBs using Cadence Allegro PCB Design, Mentor Expedition/PADS or Altium.
PCB layout design on different core material substrate, component placement, impedance matching and routing analysis
Work closely with the mechanical and the signal integrity team during product development phases
Generate fabrication drawings, assembly drawings and drill files
Work closely with board houses to ensure compliance with DFA and DFM practices and lead DFM reviews, until closure to ensure the design is ready for high volume manufacturing
Interface with board houses to resolve technical issues
Embraces AI as part of a modern engineering toolkit
Research and implement new techniques and technologies to grow the PCB design skill-set, reduce PCB cost, and stay current on industry PCB design practices.
Location and travel: Hybrid role based in Ottawa or Kitchener-Waterloo, and travel may be required domestically and internationally to support customer engagements and project delivery.
This role is being posted to fill an existing vacancy
Annual base salary ranges from $90,000 to $125,000. The final offer within this range takes into account the variations in knowledge, skills, experience, and market conditions, and with consideration to internal equity.
Our competitive compensation package also includes a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, matching GRSP contributions, annual profit-sharing bonus, along with other supplementary benefits.
We also recognize that candidates show interest throughout different career stages and welcome all applications. When there is a great fit, the level of the role may be shifted as applicable.
About Fidus & Why Work Here
Since 2001, Fidus has completed over 4,000 projects for more than 400 customers across industries including Telecom/Datacom, Aerospace & Defence, Consumer, Semiconductors, Industrial/Automotive Controls, and Medical. As a Premier Adaptive Computing Partner for AMD North America, we combine deep technical expertise with industry-leading tools to solve complex design challenges.
Fidus designs high-speed, high-complexity electronic systems using emerging technologies, often well before they reach the broader market. Our teams work across FPGA/DSP, hardware, embedded software, verification, SI/PI, PCB layout, and mechanical/thermal design to deliver real products for our customers.
At Fidus, collaboration is at the core of how we work. We value openness, trust, and shared ownership, and we create an environment where people are encouraged to contribute ideas, learn from one another, and have a meaningful impact through the work they do.
If all of this excites you, has your attention, and you can’t wait to join our amazing team and work environment, then we want to hear from you!
Fidus has a commitment to ensure a fair and transparent recruitment process. Automated tools (including AI) support our initial screening of applicants against our job posting to identify candidates whose qualifications, experience, and skills align most closely with the position requirements. All further candidate assessments and final selection are conducted by our human recruitment team. AI does not make any final hiring decisions.
Thank you for your interest in Fidus. We welcome and encourage diverse candidates to apply. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. Fidus is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.
PCB Layout Designer at Fidus Systems — BranchFactor