Rules and Guidelines
Want to participate in the discussions? Please read our Community Rules and Guidelines. Need some help? Visit Support and Answers.

  • State Suggested Answer
  • Locked Locked
  • Replies 7 replies
  • Helpful Answers 1 Helpful answer
  • Subscribers 17 subscribers
  • Views 1566 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
You may also be interested in
This discussion has been locked.
You can no longer post new replies to this discussion. If you have a question you can start a new discussion

Recognised PCB design qualifications?

KJ

Hi, all.

First, a very brief background: I've been working in the Electronics Engineering industry for over 20 years. I have a strong background in PCB manufacture and testing, and have a BSc in Engineering from the OU.

I'd like to apply for PCB design roles, but my PCB design history isn't strong enough to be able to apply for any of the roles I've seen so far. 

I've designed and produced a handful of PCBs for prototypes and small batch runs over the years; a few analogue and very low noise amps, but that's about it.

Are there any professional courses specifically for PCB design that I can take, which would be recognised by potential employers? I'm not looking to take another Degree - one was enough! But if you know of any industry recognised courses, I'd be very grateful.

Thanks in advance.

Parents
  • 0

    Be aware that PCB design is more than being a good layout technician, and a good knowledge of current handling, correct creepage distances, where to put filter capacitors and so on is all part of the designers dark arts.
    Where I work the roles are distinct - man who flies the CAD tools and tapes out the Gerbers for paste masks generation etc is not necessarily the same one that decides the 'floor planning' placement of parts and where the earthing via holes are best located.

    You need to know where you are on that spectrum of ability.

    Mike

Reply
  • 0

    Be aware that PCB design is more than being a good layout technician, and a good knowledge of current handling, correct creepage distances, where to put filter capacitors and so on is all part of the designers dark arts.
    Where I work the roles are distinct - man who flies the CAD tools and tapes out the Gerbers for paste masks generation etc is not necessarily the same one that decides the 'floor planning' placement of parts and where the earthing via holes are best located.

    You need to know where you are on that spectrum of ability.

    Mike

Children
  • 0 in reply to mapj1

    I'm definitely at the 'floor planning' level of knowledge - just not enough of it to evidence in job applications. Hence why I'm asking about courses/professional qualifications. PCB design seems to be one of those roles you can't get unless you've already got, lol.

  • 0 in reply to mapj1

    FYI.... some do it all.

  • 0 in reply to Andy Farrall

    Oh indeed, and I can be design authority and drive the CAD as well, but not as neatly or quickly  as the chap who draws up a ten a month. However, he is not at his best in questions of RF line impedance, track inductance,  temperature rises and so on. However it is much faster to play to the strengths you have, and not all companies expect the same,

    Mike

Community Rules & Guidelines