What is PCB design? Exploring one of the most in-demand careers in engineering
Look around you right now. Your phone, your laptop, your car’s dashboard, the microwave in your kitchen, even the pacemaker keeping someone’s heart in rhythm: all of it runs on printed circuit boards (PCBs). These small, unassuming pieces of engineered material are the backbone of nearly every electronic device we touch, yet many people have never considered who designs them or how they are designed.
For engineering students and early-career professionals looking for a stable, high-demand path into the engineering workforce, PCB design deserves a serious look.
What is PCB design?
A printed circuit board is the physical foundation that connects and powers the electronic components inside a device, chips, resistors, connectors and more, using conductive pathways etched onto a non-conductive material. Without PCBs, none of our modern electronics would function. They’re in smartphones, medical devices, automobiles, aerospace systems, industrial machinery and household appliances. As products get smaller and smarter, the boards inside them get more complex.
PCB designers are the engineers who plan and build these boards. Their work spans the full development lifecycle: selecting components, creating schematics that map out how a circuit should function, laying out and routing the physical board, and verifying that the design can actually be manufactured at scale without errors.
In other words, PCB design is the process of turning an electronic concept into a physical product that can perform reliably and be manufactured.
It’s a discipline that blends electrical engineering fundamentals with hands-on, practical problem-solving. And it’s a role that sits at the intersection of design and manufacturing, requiring both creativity and precision.
It’s also a critical function for the design and manufacture of electronic products. The PCB is where electrical, mechanical, and manufacturing requirements come together. Decisions made during design can affect product performance, reliability, cost, and how easily the product can be manufactured.
Why consider a career in PCB design?
PCB design is more than an in-demand profession; it’s an accessible and rewarding career path that lets you turn abstract electrical concepts into physical, working hardware, solve critical challenges and develop valuable skills for a range of roles.
By working as a PCB designer, you get to see ideas become real physical products. In your day-to-day work, you get the chance to apply both your technical knowledge as well as creativity and problem-solving skills. The field is constantly evolving as electronics become more sophisticated, which keeps things interesting for people who enjoy solving novel challenges.
Meanwhile, PCB designers can work across a range of industries and get the opportunity to either specialize or broaden their skills in systems engineering, manufacturing, electronics or leadership.
How to become a PCB designer
Becoming a PCB designer doesn’t require starting from scratch. It requires the right combination of skills: schematic capture, layout and routing, IPC standards, design for manufacturing (DFM) and hands-on experience with electronic design automation (EDA) software.
This path is well suited to a range of people:
- Upper-level engineering students (EE, ME, CE, manufacturing) who want applied, industry-recognized experience to stand out for internships and entry-level roles.
- Recent engineering graduates ready to turn academic knowledge into job-ready design skills.
- Early- to mid-career engineers in mechanical, systems, quality or manufacturing roles looking to add schematic, layout and DFM/DFA skills.
- Community college students and technicians preparing to enter the workforce or transfer to a four-year program.
- Experienced engineers looking to pivot into electronics or PCB-focused roles.
If you fall into any of these groups, one option worth exploring is the PCB Design Fundamentals: From Discovery to Production microcredential, offered through a collaboration between Arizona State University’s Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering and Siemens Digital Industries Software.
This self-paced, online program takes about 40 hours to complete and is made up of four courses covering the entire PCB lifecycle:
- PCB Design Basics: Components, Materials and Manufacturing
- PCB Schematic Design and Circuit Development
- PCB Layout Design: Placement, Routing and DRC
- PCB Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Verification
Learners get hands-on training with Xpedition software by Siemens, the same tools used by professional engineering teams, along with applied labs, graded assessments and instruction from both ASU faculty and Siemens industry experts. Graduates earn an ASU Professional Certificate and a Siemens microcredential, both shareable on LinkedIn, a resume or a performance review.
By the end of the program, you’ll be able to capture functional schematics, apply design constraints, plan component placement, execute manufacturable routing strategies and run DFM/DFA verification checks, the exact skills employers are looking for right now.
Learn more and enroll in PCB Design Fundamentals from Siemens and Arizona State University here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an electrical engineering degree to become a PCB designer?
No. While many PCB designers come from EE backgrounds, engineers from mechanical, computer, manufacturing and systems disciplines regularly move into PCB design too. Targeted training, such as the ASU/Siemens certificate, can address specific skill gaps.
Do I need to know how to code?
Not typically. PCB design focuses more on circuit logic, layout and manufacturing standards than programming. Some familiarity with embedded systems can help, but coding isn’t a requirement to get started.
Is PCB design a good fit for high school students exploring engineering?
Yes. Strong grades in math and physics, along with an interest in how electronics work, are a solid foundation. High schoolers can explore the field further through electronics clubs, robotics teams or introductory online courses before choosing a college major.
How long does it take to become job-ready as a PCB designer?
It varies, but focused certificate programs like this one can be completed in around 40 hours of self-paced study. Combined with a relevant degree or hands-on projects, that’s often enough to be competitive for entry-level roles.
Is PCB design actually in demand right now?
Yes. As electronics grow more complex and experienced designers retire, companies across automotive, aerospace, medical devices and consumer electronics are actively seeking new PCB design talent.
Can I earn this certificate while still in school?
Yes. The program is self-paced and online, making it possible to complete alongside a full course load or work schedule.
