OrCAD
OrCAD is a popular software tool that electrical engineers use to design electronic circuits and create circuit boards. Think of it like a digital drawing board where engineers can plan out electronic components and connections before actually building them. It's similar to how architects use software to design buildings before construction begins. The software helps catch design problems early and makes it easier to share designs with manufacturing teams. OrCAD is widely used in companies that make electronics, from consumer gadgets to industrial equipment. Other similar tools include Altium Designer and EAGLE.
Examples in Resumes
Designed complex circuit boards using OrCAD for automotive sensor systems
Led team projects utilizing OrCAD and Capture CIS for medical device development
Reduced design errors by 40% through implementing OrCAD verification processes
Typical job title: "PCB Designers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find PCB Designers
Online Communities
Job Boards
Professional Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you manage a complex multi-layer PCB design project?
Expected Answer: A senior designer should discuss project planning, team coordination, design rule setup, component organization, and quality control processes. They should mention experience with high-speed design considerations and manufacturing constraints.
Q: What strategies do you use to optimize PCB designs for manufacturing?
Expected Answer: Should explain considerations like component placement, trace routing efficiency, thermal management, and working with fabrication houses to ensure designs meet manufacturing capabilities.
Mid Level Questions
Q: How do you handle design rule checks in OrCAD?
Expected Answer: Should explain how they set up and run design rule checks, common issues they look for, and how they resolve violations when found.
Q: Explain your approach to component library management.
Expected Answer: Should discuss creating and maintaining component libraries, ensuring accurate footprints, and managing symbol creation for new components.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What's the basic process of creating a schematic in OrCAD?
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain placing components, connecting them with wires, adding basic properties, and generating a netlist for PCB layout.
Q: How do you perform basic PCB routing in OrCAD?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate understanding of manual routing techniques, using different layer assignments, and following basic design rules.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic schematic capture
- Simple PCB layout
- Component placement
- Basic design rule checking
Mid (2-5 years)
- Multi-layer board design
- Library component creation
- Design for manufacturing
- Signal integrity basics
Senior (5+ years)
- Complex high-speed designs
- Team leadership
- Advanced troubleshooting
- Manufacturing process optimization
Red Flags to Watch For
- No hands-on PCB design experience
- Unfamiliarity with manufacturing constraints
- Lack of component library management experience
- No knowledge of industry design standards
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