Microwave PCB Designer

Microwave PCB Designer at Nord Quantique, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada. A mid-level full time position in the Design team, listed under hardware engineering.

Our current needs

As part of our continued growth, we are seeking a Microwave PCB Designer to contribute to the development of high-performance RF solutions that connect our control electronics to our cryogenic quantum processors. The selected candidate will participate in the design, fabrication, characterization, and integration of RF and microwave electronic boards used in our quantum computing platforms. This role sits at the intersection of quantum hardware requirements, microwave engineering, and system integration. This position is ideal for someone passionate about hands‑on microwave circuit design, high‑frequency PCB development, and experimental validation within a cutting‑edge research and development environment.

Key Responsibilities

Working closely with the Quantum Hardware team, the successful candidate will:

• Design microwave electronic boards incorporating both passive and active components.
• Develop schematics and PCB layouts for low‑noise, high‑fidelity signal transmission.
• Translate Quantum Hardware team requirements into electrical and RF specifications.
• Select commercial RF and microwave components based on performance and integration constraints.
• Participate in prototype fabrication and assembly with external manufacturing partners.
• Perform basic electrical and microwave testing on developed boards.
• Conduct performance comparisons between different architectures and design solutions.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of designs to enhance system performance and reliability.
• Support the integration of PCBs into control systems, cryogenic interfaces, and experimental infrastructures.
• Contribute to the documentation of designs, testing procedures, and experimental results.

Requirements

• University degree in Electrical Engineering, Engineering Physics, or a related field.
• Experience in microwave circuit design (analog, passive, or active circuits).
• Knowledge of high‑frequency PCB design and layout best practices.
• Understanding of signal integrity and microwave circuit characterization.
• Experience using microwave test equipment (VNA, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, etc.).
• Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong knowledge of controlled‑impedance multilayer PCBs, S‑parameters, coaxial connectors, and grounding considerations.
• Experience with one or more microwave simulation tools (ADS, AWR, HFSS, CST, etc.) is considered an asset.
• Experience with soldering, visual inspection, prototype troubleshooting, or basic PCB rework.
• Ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across physics, electronics, and systems engineering.