Career Outlook for Board Design Engineers in India Over the Next 10 Years

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#1 21670244 26 Oct 2013 21:32

Slasher SR Slasher SR

Anonymous

Post #1
21670244 26 Oct 2013 21:32

This is a question apart from Technical.

I'm currently working as a board design engineer in a firm. I have 2 years of experience now. Although i like my career, I'm bit doubtful about the future of my domain. Seeing most of the new trends happening only in VLSI and ASICs, FPGAs etc. the question that comes to my mind is, "What does the future holds for BOARD DESIGN Engineers in INDIA (or anywhere) for the next 10 Years or so? Will it be an obsolete thing, by the time I reach a good experience?

I know there are many experienced guys around here who can give clarity to me. I'm hoping for the same.

Thanks
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#2 21670245 26 Oct 2013 23:55

DAVID CUTHBERT DAVID CUTHBERT

Anonymous

Post #2
21670245 26 Oct 2013 23:55

I don't see PCBs being replaced by another technology in that time frame. I cannot think if a single electronic device that does not have a PCB.
#3 21670246 27 Oct 2013 07:04

Slasher SR Slasher SR

Anonymous

Post #3
21670246 27 Oct 2013 07:04

Yes . But the developments in the Chip manufacturing is so rapid that , we fear by the time we reach some sort of good experience .. Everything will be taken care in chips , and PCB's will be a child's play . I heard it from quite a few . That's why .. !! It really made me think about a domain change !!
#4 21670247 27 Oct 2013 07:22

DAVID CUTHBERT DAVID CUTHBERT

Anonymous

Post #4
21670247 27 Oct 2013 07:22

Multiple ICs will still be required for most products. Might an entire cell phone be built on one IC? Can one semiconductor process on one piece of silicon do power conversion, audio, memory, tactile input, display, camera, and RF? These bits and pieces are unique technologies that are made by different specialized groups. There are stacked ICs in one package but they are placed on a PCB substrate internal to the IC package. Power conversion will still require multiple components - capacitors, resistors, magnetics, and at least one IC and these will be placed on a PCB. So, I don't see PCBs going away.

However, I do envision a reduction in the number of PCB designers due to improved software. While I've yet to see an autorouter do a good job on digital circuit the thought of one designing an entire mixed-signal PCB seems fantastic. But someday... At that time the job of the PCB designer could migrate to the EE who designs the circuit.

For job stability you might consider moving up the food chain, so to speak.
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#5 21670248 27 Oct 2013 07:28

Slasher SR Slasher SR

Anonymous

Post #5
21670248 27 Oct 2013 07:28

Yes For now .. But in a short span .. the fab process can replace the PCB design process right ?? If ASIC development speeds up .. chips can be custom made for everything right ?? (except for power.. or may be even that .. ) .. seeing the pace of electronics industry .., nothing is impossible ... !! many of my senior engineers also recommended me to move in to VLSI or coding .. to make my career safe .. !!

. Actually I'm an EE . I design the circuits .. I'm into High speed design .. and have already done designs on MSP430, and ARM platforms and few bits in X86 .. !
#6 21670249 27 Oct 2013 08:20

DAVID CUTHBERT DAVID CUTHBERT

Anonymous

Post #6
21670249 27 Oct 2013 08:20

My answer is no. Although the fab process is similar to the PCB process it has limitations that make a PCB a necessary part of any design.
#7 21670250 27 Oct 2013 08:28

Slasher SR Slasher SR

Anonymous

Post #7
21670250 27 Oct 2013 08:28

Thanks a lot David .. Your replies helped a lot .. And finally any areas or domains you would recommend me to concentrate ... ?? Presently I'm in High speed design and I love it ... Which other domains would you recommend as an addon feature / support skill for my career .. FPGA ,Coding in C , or anything else .. as per the current industry trends ..
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#8 21670251 27 Oct 2013 09:31

Ahsanul Haque Ahsanul Haque

Anonymous

Post #8
21670251 27 Oct 2013 09:31

Unexpected or expected change will happen in near future. Tablet, mobile, laptop will change everything but Printed circuit will remain unchanged, but its upgradable tech It will be more thin and rigid body.
#9 21670252 30 Oct 2013 06:51

EEWeb EEWeb

Anonymous

Post #9
21670252 30 Oct 2013 06:51

[User comment deleted]
#10 21670253 06 Feb 2014 02:58

Garth Wilson Garth Wilson

Anonymous

Post #10
21670253 06 Feb 2014 02:58

I remember an article in one of the industry magazines 20-25 years ago saying that it had previously been thought that greater and greater integration would spell the end of PCBs, but that instead it has just meant that more function has been put on each board, and the PCB industry had actually been growing, despite prophecies to the contrary. I would like to see the tool-up charges come down more though, so small quantities would not be cost-prohibitive.
#11 21670254 06 Feb 2014 17:45

Ruben Proost Ruben Proost

Anonymous

Post #11
21670254 06 Feb 2014 17:45

Don't want to hijack the thread, but I learned the trade in the eighties and have since mostly done software projects and some process automation wich was low speed microcontroller work on thru hole pcb's. Great software, simple and robust hardware.
In short I'm a bit behind on pcb design. Where might I update my knowledge, especially about high speed design and multi layered pcb's without going back to school.
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#12 21670255 06 Feb 2014 18:30

Garth Wilson Garth Wilson

Anonymous

Post #12
21670255 06 Feb 2014 18:30

Ruben, industry guru Dr. Howard Johnson has a lot of resources available on it. Start at http://www.sigcon.com/Pubs/index.htm and http://www.sigcon.com/Pubs/pubsAlpha.htm .

Johnson has a good book out called, [b]"High-Speed Digital Design: A Handbook of Black Magic"[/b] published by Prentice-Hall. His materials are generally more math-intensive than most of us on this forum need to go, but it is helpful to be aware of the effects that can cause the pitfalls he talks about.

There are more good links to ap. notes and such at the bottom of my 6502 Primer page on construction, at http://wilsonminesco.com/6502primer/construction.html .
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Topic summary

✨ The discussion addresses the career outlook for board design engineers in India over the next decade, focusing on the relevance and future of PCB design amid rapid advancements in semiconductor technologies such as VLSI, ASICs, and FPGAs. It is widely agreed that PCBs will remain essential components in electronic devices, as no device currently exists without a PCB substrate. Despite increasing integration in chips, multiple ICs and discrete components like capacitors, resistors, and magnetics still require PCB assembly. While PCB design may evolve with improved autorouting software potentially reducing the number of designers, the role will likely shift towards electrical engineers who also design circuits. The PCB industry is expected to grow, with boards becoming thinner and more rigid. For career stability, expanding skills into high-speed design, FPGA programming, and embedded coding (e.g., in C) is recommended. Resources for updating knowledge in high-speed and multilayer PCB design include Dr. Howard Johnson’s publications and online technical notes. The consensus is that PCB design will not become obsolete but will require continuous skill enhancement aligned with industry trends.

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Career Outlook for Board Design Engineers in India Over the Next 10 Years

FAQ

TL;DR: Over the last 20–25 years, “the PCB industry had actually been growing,” and that trend supports strong 10‑year prospects for board designers. [Elektroda, Garth Wilson, post #21670253]

Why it matters: If you’re weighing a switch to VLSI/ASIC, this FAQ clarifies long‑term demand, skills, and tools for PCB/board engineers in India and beyond.

Quick Facts

Typical product architecture still uses multiple ICs plus passives; one chip rarely does power, RF, memory, and I/O together. [Elektroda, DAVID CUTHBERT, post #21670247]
Stacked IC packages ride on PCB substrates inside the package; boards remain integral. [Elektroda, DAVID CUTHBERT, post #21670247]
Power conversion stages need capacitors, resistors, magnetics, and at least one controller IC. [Elektroda, DAVID CUTHBERT, post #21670247]
Tooling for small PCB runs can be cost‑prohibitive; affordability remains a concern. [Elektroda, Garth Wilson, post #21670253]
Form factors trend thinner and more rigid; PCB tech evolves rather than disappears. [Elektroda, Ahsanul Haque, post #21670251]

What’s the 10‑year career outlook for board design engineers in India?

Healthy. Experienced engineers report PCBs won’t be replaced, and integration increases board functionality rather than eliminating boards. The market has grown despite prior predictions. Stay current and move up the value chain to remain competitive. [Elektroda, Garth Wilson, post #21670253]

Will a single chip replace the entire PCB soon?

No. One silicon process rarely handles power conversion, audio, memory, display, camera, tactile input, and RF together. Products still need multiple ICs and passives on a PCB. “I don’t see PCBs going away.” [Elektroda, DAVID CUTHBERT, post #21670247]

Do stacked or SiP packages eliminate PCBs?

No. Stacked ICs sit on a PCB substrate inside the package. The final product still mounts components on a board for power, I/O, and system integration. [Elektroda, DAVID CUTHBERT, post #21670247]

What skills help future‑proof a PCB/board career?

Add system‑level design, high‑speed digital, power integrity, and mixed‑signal layout. Pair PCB design with circuit design so you can “move up the food chain.” [Elektroda, DAVID CUTHBERT, post #21670247]

Is high‑speed design worth specializing in?

Yes. High‑speed skills remain valuable across MSP430, ARM, and x86 platforms. They transfer to modern buses and interfaces used in consumer and industrial products. [Elektroda, Slasher SR, post #21670248]

Will autorouters take my job?

Expect productivity gains but not full replacement yet. Engineers note autorouters struggle with quality on digital and mixed‑signal boards. That creates demand for skilled designers. [Elektroda, DAVID CUTHBERT, post #21670247]

What’s an edge case where automation fails?

Mixed‑signal routing. Automated tools often mishandle return paths, isolation, and sensitive nodes. Manual constraint‑driven routing still wins here. [Elektroda, DAVID CUTHBERT, post #21670247]

Are PCBs becoming obsolete as devices shrink?

No. Smaller devices increase density, but boards continue to host more function per area. Industry experience shows growth, not disappearance, with greater integration. [Elektroda, Garth Wilson, post #21670253]

What about costs for small production runs?

Tool‑up charges can make low quantities expensive. This remains a barrier for prototyping and niche products, even as capabilities improve. [Elektroda, Garth Wilson, post #21670253]

Should I pivot to VLSI/ASIC or stay in boards?

Both paths can thrive. If you enjoy boards, deepen system design and power skills. Cross‑skill with firmware or FPGA to expand roles and resilience. [Elektroda, DAVID CUTHBERT, post #21670247]

What is VLSI, in simple terms?

VLSI means Very‑Large‑Scale Integration: packing many transistors and functions into one chip. It complements boards rather than replacing them. [Elektroda, DAVID CUTHBERT, post #21670247]

What is an FPGA, and why should a board engineer learn it?

An FPGA is a reconfigurable logic chip. Knowing basic FPGA design helps partition systems, set constraints, and design robust high‑speed interfaces on boards. [Elektroda, DAVID CUTHBERT, post #21670247]

What is a PCB autorouter?

It’s software that automatically routes traces based on rules. Experts note it still performs poorly for complex digital or mixed‑signal work. [Elektroda, DAVID CUTHBERT, post #21670247]

What is high‑speed design?

It focuses on signal integrity and timing when edge rates or frequencies make traces behave like transmission lines. It’s core for modern boards. [Elektroda, Slasher SR, post #21670248]

How do I update my high‑speed PCB knowledge quickly?

Study Dr. Howard Johnson’s materials and high‑speed design book for theory and pitfalls. Complement with application notes and targeted practice. [Elektroda, Garth Wilson, post #21670255]

How can I future‑proof my PCB career in three steps?

Own the schematic and system architecture, not just layout.
Master power delivery, return paths, and mixed‑signal partitioning.
Use automation, but guide it with constraints and reviews. [Elektroda, DAVID CUTHBERT, post #21670247]