17 PCB Designer Interview Questions and Answers

PCB designers are responsible for the layout and design of Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs). PCBs are used in a wide variety of electronic devices and equipment, from cell phones to medical equipment. Because of the importance of PCBs in the functioning of electronic devices, PCB designers need to be able to answer a variety of questions about their design during an interview.

In this guide, you will find several PCB designer interview questions and answers. You will also find tips on how to prepare for your interview.

Are you familiar with the IPC-9351 standard?

The IPC-9351 standard is a set of guidelines for designing printed circuit boards. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience with the standards and regulations that apply to your industry. In your answer, explain how you use the IPC-9351 standard in your work as a PCB designer.

Example: “I am familiar with the IPC-9351 standard because it’s important to follow these guidelines when working on projects for clients. For example, my last client required all of their PCBs to meet the IPC-9351 standard. As a result, I had to make sure every aspect of the design met the standard before sending it to production. This helped ensure the quality of the final product.”

What are the most important skills for a PCB designer?

This question allows you to show the interviewer that you have a strong understanding of what it takes to be successful in this role. You can answer by listing two or three skills and explaining why they are important for this job.

Example: “The most important skill for a PCB designer is communication. This role requires me to work with many different departments, including marketing, sales and manufacturing. I need to be able to clearly explain my designs so everyone understands them. Another important skill is creativity. I am constantly working on new projects, which means I need to think outside the box when designing circuits. Finally, attention to detail is also very important. I must ensure all of my work is accurate before submitting it.”

How do you troubleshoot problems with a PCB design?

Troubleshooting is an important skill for a PCB designer. Employers ask this question to see if you have the necessary skills and experience to solve problems with your designs. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills, as well as your ability to work independently.

Example: “I start by looking at my design plan and checking all of my calculations. I also check that all components are connected properly. If these steps don’t fix the issue, then I will go through each component in the circuit board to make sure it’s placed correctly. If none of these steps work, then I will contact my supervisor or another professional for help.”

What is your experience with using software programs for PCB design?

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience level with using software programs for PCB design. You can answer this question by mentioning which software you have used in the past and what your experience was like with each program.

Example: “I’ve worked with several different software programs for PCB design, including Altium Designer, Eagle Layout Editor and KiCad. I find that I am most comfortable working with KiCad because it is free to use and has a lot of helpful features. However, I also enjoy using Eagle Layout Editor because it’s easy to learn and offers many useful tools.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to work with a difficult client or customer.

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your interpersonal skills and ability to work with challenging people. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific example of how you handled the situation successfully.

Example: “In my previous role as an electronics engineer, I worked with many different clients on various projects. One client in particular was very demanding and would often change their mind about designs or specifications without notice. In these situations, I always remained calm and focused on providing them with quality work while also communicating clearly when changes were necessary. This helped me maintain a positive relationship with the client despite their difficult behavior.”

If a client wanted to make a significant change to a PCB design that was already finalized, how would you respond?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle client requests and ensure that the final product meets their needs. In your answer, try to show that you value clients’ opinions while also ensuring that any changes are feasible for the project.

Example: “If a client wanted to make a significant change to a PCB design after it was finalized, I would first ask them if they were aware of the additional costs associated with making such a change. If they understood these costs, then I would work with them to determine whether the change is possible within the current budget or if we need to adjust the scope of the project. If the change is still feasible, I would go back through the entire design process again to ensure that the new requirements are met.”

What would you do if you noticed a mistake in your design after it had already been produced?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you respond to mistakes and challenges in your work. Use examples from previous experience to show that you are willing to take responsibility for your actions and learn from them.

Example: “If I noticed a mistake after production, I would immediately contact my supervisor or manager to discuss what happened. If it was something minor like an incorrect wire placement, I might be able to fix it myself by rerouting wires. However, if there were major issues with the design, such as missing components or improper grounding, then I would have to start over completely. In either case, I would document everything so that I could learn from my mistakes.”

How well do you work under pressure?

This question can help the interviewer determine how well you perform in a fast-paced environment. Since PCB design is often done under tight deadlines, employers may want to know that you are able to work quickly and efficiently while still producing high-quality results. In your answer, try to explain that you enjoy working under pressure and feel confident about meeting deadlines.

Example: “I actually find that I work better when there’s a deadline looming. When I have a set time frame for my project, I am motivated to get started right away and complete it as soon as possible. This helps me avoid procrastination and ensures that I don’t spend too much time on any one aspect of the design. Of course, I always make sure to thoroughly check my work before submitting it.”

Do you have any experience working with hazardous materials?

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience with working in a potentially dangerous environment. If you have worked with hazardous materials, explain what steps you took to ensure your own safety and that of others around you.

Example: “I’ve never worked with hazardous materials, but I am familiar with the proper procedures for handling them. In my last position, we had an employee who was injured when they were exposed to lead. We immediately removed them from the workspace and called our local emergency services to assist us in cleaning up the area. The employee was then sent to the hospital for further treatment.”

When working with clients, what is your approach to building trust and establishing a positive rapport?

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your interpersonal skills and how you interact with clients. This is an important skill for a PCB designer because they often work directly with clients, so it’s essential that they can build trust and rapport with their customers. In your answer, try to explain what steps you take to develop positive relationships with clients.

Example: “I find that the best way to establish trust and rapport with my clients is by being honest and transparent throughout the design process. I always make sure to clearly communicate any changes or updates to my client and provide them with regular progress reports on the project. I also like to meet regularly with my clients to discuss the project and get feedback from them.”

We want to increase our customer base by targeting a new market segment. Give me an idea of how you would go about doing this.

This question is a great way to see how you can apply your skills and knowledge of the industry to help an organization grow. When answering this question, it’s important to show that you have experience with market segmentation and how it can be applied to PCB design.

Example: “I would start by analyzing our current customer base to determine what they value most in their products. I would then research the target market to find out what they want from their electronics. From there, I would create a new product line that offers both groups of customers something unique. This strategy has helped me increase sales for my previous employer by 20%.”

Describe your experience with working in a team environment.

Working in a team environment is an important skill for many jobs, including PCB designer. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience working with others and that you can collaborate effectively. In your answer, explain how you work well with others and what makes you a good teammate.

Example: “I’ve worked in a team environment throughout my career as a PCB designer. I find it helpful to bounce ideas off of other designers when I’m designing a new circuit board. It’s also beneficial to get input from the engineers who will be using the boards once they’re complete. Working together helps us all create better products.”

What makes you stand out from other candidates?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your personality and how you would fit in with their team. They want someone who is friendly, hardworking and passionate about the job. When answering this question, try to highlight a few of your best qualities that relate to the position.

Example: “I am highly organized and detail-oriented, which makes me an excellent candidate for this role. I also have experience working on large projects, so I know what it takes to meet deadlines. In my previous role, I worked as part of a team of PCB designers, where we all shared our ideas and collaborated to create the best product possible.”

Which PCB design software are you most familiar with using?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience with a specific type of software. It can also show them how you might fit into their company culture, as some companies have unique preferences when it comes to which PCB design software they use. If you’re not familiar with any specific brand or type of software, consider mentioning one that’s similar in function and briefly explain why you prefer it over others.

Example: “I’ve used Altium Designer for my last two jobs because I find it easy to learn and navigate. The interface is clean and simple, so I don’t waste time trying to figure out what each button does. I’m always looking for ways to improve efficiency, so I appreciate its built-in shortcuts.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of PCB design?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to assess your knowledge of PCB design and how you prioritize your work. Your answer should show that you understand what’s important in this role, but it can also be an opportunity to highlight some specific skills or experiences that make you qualified for the job.

Example: “I think communication is the most important aspect of PCB design because it affects every other part of the process. If I’m not communicating clearly with my team members about the project goals, then we might have different ideas about what we’re designing. Likewise, if I don’t communicate well with my clients, they may not know what to expect from our final product. Communication is essential to ensuring that everyone has the same expectations.”

How often do you update your knowledge and skills as a PCB designer?

This question can help interviewers understand your commitment to continuous learning. It’s important for PCB designers to stay up-to-date on the latest technology and design trends, so it’s beneficial if you’re willing to invest in your own professional development.

Example: “I try to attend at least one conference or seminar every year where I can learn about new technologies and techniques. In addition, I subscribe to several industry publications that provide valuable insights into the latest developments. I also have a few online courses under my belt, which I find very helpful as they allow me to practice what I’ve learned while still being able to learn more.”

There is a new technology that could drastically improve the efficiency of one of your client’s products. How do you go about recommending it to them?

This question is a great way to assess your communication skills and ability to work with clients. It also shows the interviewer that you are aware of new technologies in the industry. In your answer, try to show how you would approach this situation while highlighting your interpersonal skills.

Example: “I would first explain the benefits of the technology to my client. I would then offer to do some research on it for them so they can decide if they want to implement it into their product. If they agree, I will find out more about the technology and its applications. Then, I will create a prototype using the new technology and present it to my client.”