Background
As architects of meaningful change, we guide industries forward by developing world-class products and holistic, scalable solutions that harness our expertise in telemetry, control and analytics plus electrification.
We work with pioneers and visionaries who share our ambition to win. The output is high-performance design of products and processes across the automotive, motorsport, transport and Internet of Things industries.
You won’t believe what we get to work on.
Purpose of the Role
As a Senior PCB Layout Design Engineer, you will be responsible for the delivery of complex, high‑quality PCB layout solutions for motorsport and automotive electronic systems. These systems are typically performance‑critical, space‑constrained, and developed to aggressive timelines.
You will take technical ownership of PCB layout activities from concept through to production release, working closely with hardware, mechanical, manufacturing, and test engineers to ensure designs meet electrical, mechanical, thermal, EMC, and reliability requirements.
This role is suited to an experienced layout engineer capable of operating with minimal supervision and contributing to continuous improvement of layout processes and standards.
Principal Accountabilities
- Undertake PCB layout of complex, multi‑layer boards for motorsport and automotive electronic control units.
- Work from schematics and layout requirements provided by hardware design engineers, translating system intent into robust physical designs.
- Define, implement, and validate layout constraints including impedance control, creepage and clearance, current capacity, EMC, and thermal performance.
- Perform advanced component placement and routing for high‑speed, high‑density, mixed‑technology designs (SMT, through‑hole, fine‑pitch BGAs).
- Create, review, and maintain ECAD library parts, ensuring compliance with internal standards and manufacturer data.
- Interface with mechanical engineering teams to apply board outlines, height restrictions, mounting constraints, and keep‑outs using IDF/IDX/DXF formats.
- Review designs for manufacturability and assembly, incorporating DFM/DFA best practice and supplier feedback.
- Generate complete manufacturing data packs, including ODB++, panelisation outputs, pick‑and‑place data, fabrication, and assembly drawings.
- Support prototype builds and resolve manufacturing, assembly, or test issues through root‑cause analysis.
- Participate in PCB layout design reviews, providing technical guidance and sign‑off.
- Contribute to the definition and improvement of PCB layout processes, standards, and documentation.
Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications and Experience
Essential
-
Degree, HNC/HND in Electronic Engineering or a related discipline, or
equivalent practical experience in a professional PCB layout role.
- Professional experience in PCB layout design within motorsport, automotive, or similarly demanding high‑reliability sectors.
- High‑level proficiency in a professional PCB layout toolset (e.g. Cadence Allegro).
- Strong understanding of the importance of signal integrity, power integrity, DFM, EMC, and thermal design principles as applied to physical PCB layout.
- Proven experience delivering designs from concept through to volume production.
- Confident working independently and managing multiple layouts under tight development schedules.
- Excellent attention to detail with a structured, disciplined engineering approach.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with multi‑disciplinary engineering teams.
Desirable
- Familiarity with IPC standards for PCB layout, land patterns, and manufacturing data.
- Experience with high‑speed digital, high‑current power electronics, or safety‑critical automotive systems.
- Experience with micro-vias, via‑in‑pad, rigid‑flex, or flex PCB technologies.
- Experience generating and validating ODB++ data.
- Exposure to ECAD–MCAD integration workflows.
- Knowledge of ECAD interface to PDM/PLM systems (e.g. Siemens Teamcenter)
Personal Attributes
- Confident in decision‑making.
- Proactive, pragmatic, and solutions‑focused.
- Able to communicate complex layout trade‑offs clearly to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
- Comfortable working in a fast‑moving, performance‑driven motorsport and automotive environment.
- Willing to challenge designs constructively to improve quality, reliability, and manufacturability.
What we can offer you
In return for everything you bring to the table, we can ensure an exciting, challenging role in a dynamic business surrounded by some of the best people in their respective fields.
At Motion Applied we firmly believe it’s the relationships and friendships we create while working that make us special. We’re also aware that the world is changing and we are part of that change. We all want and need different things from our work and home lives, so, if you have commitments outside of work, we’re open to talking through flexible working options that work for you and us.
- Annual leave (25 days + bank holidays, pro-rated for part time colleagues).
- Enhanced Company Maternity, Paternity and Adoption leave and pay.
- Flexible working policies, including Hybrid Working.
- Life assurance to the value of 4 times base salary
- Opportunity to join the Motion Applied Pension Plan
- Company funded individual private healthcare with the opportunity to extend to partner or spouse and/or dependents at a discounted rate.
- Electric car scheme – opportunity to drive a brand-new car in a more affordable way through this salary sacrifice scheme. Employees are eligible to join the scheme after successful competition of their probationary period.
Who we are
Motion Applied are a medium-sized tech firm spun out of McLaren Group. We’re looking for people who will thrive in a non-hierarchical, growth-orientated company, self-starters who are flexible and somewhat entrepreneurial in their approach.
Motion Applied are committed to Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DEI) and promote DEI in all we do. Motion Applied are also members of the UK Government Disability Confident Scheme.
