PCB layout designer with no lock-in, Friday-by-Friday updates and the complete source files at handover
I provide a PCB design service for SMEs that already have a defined circuit schematic and want to turn it into a manufacturable, documented and editable layout.
No black boxes. No supplier dependency. Just a project ready for production, prototyping and future revisions.
Getting the Gerbers isn't enough. You need to keep control of the project.
You already have the schematic.
Maybe it was developed in-house by your engineering team. Maybe the firmware is already underway. Maybe the enclosure is nearly defined and now the schematic needs to become a manufacturable PCB.
At this point many SMEs make a seemingly simple choice: they outsource the layout and wait for the files to go into production.
The problem is that the project often comes back as a closed box.
You receive the Gerbers. You receive the pick&place. Perhaps a BOM. But you don't always receive organised sources, complete libraries, documented design choices and files that your team can actually edit.
And when a small change is needed — a different connector, an alternative component, an updated mechanical constraint, a fix after the prototype — you discover the project isn't really under your control.
You have to call the supplier back. Wait for availability. Pay for changes your engineering team could have handled. Or rebuild part of the work from scratch.
For an SME this isn't just a technical problem.
It's a risk to your roadmap, your budget and your ability to maintain the product over time.
That's why I created a process built for companies that already have the schematic and want to reach a production- and assembly-ready PCB without losing operational ownership of the project.
✓ This service is a good fit if
- You already have a defined circuit schematic.
- The main active components have been selected.
- The mechanical constraints are available or in their final stage.
- You want to outsource the layout, but keep the sources and libraries.
- You want technical updates during the project, not just the files at the end.
- You want tidy documentation that serves production and assembly as well as testing and any later modifications.
✕ It's not a fit if
- You only have an unvalidated idea.
- The enclosure has not been defined yet.
- You want to go into production within a few days with no mechanical constraints or a frozen architecture.
- You're only looking for the lowest quote.
What changes for your company after the project
A working circuit schematic isn't a product yet. Turning it into a manufacturable board is the moment when a company risks losing technical control of its own project.
In the end you don't just receive a production-ready PCB.
You receive a project your company can produce, modify and maintain over time — without staying tied to whoever built it.
The PCB Without Lock-in™ Protocol
Five phases to take a defined circuit schematic to a PCB ready for prototyping or production. Each phase closes a specific risk of your project while closing it is still cheap: before the layout, before the production files, before the first production order.
What stays in your company at the end is the project — not the dependency on whoever drew it.
The layout doesn't start until the project is ready to start.
In practice: I check the circuit schematic, the availability of active components and connectors, the critical interfaces and the mechanical constraints. If something doesn't add up, you know before I draw the first trace.
This closes the risk of rework, late changes and useless prototypesThe board is designed to fit whoever will have to manufacture it.
In practice: the layout holds together electrical, mechanical, manufacturing and electromagnetic-compatibility constraints — footprints, critical paths, power distribution, return currents, unwanted couplings. It isn't just "routing the traces".
This closes the risk of manufacturability and assembly problems, and of a layout nobody can modify anymoreEvery Friday you know where we stand, without having to ask.
In practice: one technical update a week — what was done, what's left, which decisions I made, which points are waiting on an answer from you. On request it becomes a call or an online meeting.
This closes the risk of the black-box effect: surprises that only show up at handoverProblems surface before they turn into production costs.
In practice: before handover I verify the consistency of the production files, manufacturability, assembly, BOM, footprints, critical constraints and the documentation the EMS needs. It isn't just an automatic DRC check.
This closes the risk of files bouncing back, assembler queries and avoidable fixes during prototypingIn the end the project is in your company's hands, not mine.
In practice: you receive a tidy package with sources, libraries, production files, BOM and documentation. Enough to change a component or a connector, or adapt the layout to a new revision, even without me.
This closes the risk of supplier dependency and of starting from scratch at every changeDepending on the complexity of the circuit, the Protocol is applied at two service levels: Standard and Advanced.
From requirements to working hardware, with no respin
Electronic control unit for industrial marine applications
The scope of this project was wider than the service described on this page: I also handled the schematic design.
The service described above starts from a schematic that is already defined. What changes is that I read the schematic with the eye of someone who has designed them: the decisions that would end up as layout problems get flagged before the PCB file is even opened.
Two requirements to reconcile: isolation and cost
Two constraints stood out from the very first stages of the project.
On one side, inputs, outputs and communication signals had to remain galvanically isolated from the microcontroller-based control section. On the other, the overall cost of the board had to stay under control.
During development the architecture was therefore revised once, together with the related schematics, to reach a better compromise between these two requirements.
One of the most important activities was the selection of the input and output stages. The evaluation took several factors into account: cost, electrical robustness, use with long cable runs and in electrically noisy environments, the interface with the microcontroller, and component availability through the main distributors.
The analysis led to the choice of dedicated integrated circuits, which delivered the required characteristics while limiting complexity, component count and supply-chain risk.
Before layout: verifying requirements and schematic
Before starting component placement I ran a critical review of the whole project, to verify that the main requirements had actually been captured in the schematic and that no open decisions were left that could heavily constrain the layout.
This stage corresponds to what I now use in my design process as the Readiness Gate.
Running this check before layout makes it possible to catch incompatibilities, missing requirements or decisions still open while changing them is still relatively cheap, reducing the risk of rework in the later stages.
From schematic to PCB
Once the schematic was validated, two aspects required particular attention during layout.
The first was the placement of the input and output stages. Component arrangement had to use the available space efficiently while keeping a clear separation between the different isolated sections of the board.
The second was the stack-up. A four-layer structure was chosen, with the two inner layers used as continuous reference planes for the different sections of the board. This kept return paths controlled and maintained a consistent separation between the isolated domain and the control domain, while reducing the risks related to emissions and unwanted coupling.
Component placement and layout completion took around three weeks from schematic sign-off.
From design to production
The work did not end with Gerber generation.
Part of the project also covered supplier selection for PCB fabrication and assembly, comparing costs and manufacturing capabilities and checking component availability in advance. The goal was to reach full board assembly while avoiding, as far as possible, last-minute substitutions or manual rework afterwards.
During production I also handled the technical exchange with the EMS directly, answering their queries on some mechanical characteristics of the holes and on the verification of a number of part numbers.
The outcome
The first prototype batch passed functional bring-up. As of the current verification status, the PCB has required no respin.
The project therefore reached its first planned objective: moving from requirements to working hardware while keeping isolation, manufacturability and cost of the solution under control.
A reference from the project coordinator
Once the work was completed, the project coordinator published this reference on my LinkedIn profile. It is shown below in the original Italian, with an English translation.
Ho collaborato con Gabriele per lo sviluppo del PCB di una centralina elettronica industriale, in un progetto con diversi vincoli elettrici, meccanici e produttivi.
Ho apprezzato molto la sua disponibilità al confronto, la cura nel layout e l'attenzione alla producibilità della scheda. Il risultato è stato molto positivo: i primi prototipi hanno superato il bring-up senza criticità bloccanti legate al PCB.
È stato un confronto tecnico piacevole e costruttivo e lo coinvolgerei volentieri di nuovo su progetti simili.
I worked with Gabriele on the PCB development of an industrial electronic control unit, on a project with a number of electrical, mechanical and manufacturing constraints.
I really appreciated his willingness to discuss things through, the care taken over the layout and the attention paid to the manufacturability of the board. The result was very positive: the first prototypes passed bring-up with no blocking PCB-related issues.
It was an enjoyable and constructive technical collaboration, and I would gladly involve him again on similar projects.
I bring your project to the point where it can be produced.
This is a PCB engineering service, not a supply of assembled boards.
I don't directly sell the physical fabrication of the printed circuit board or the assembly. My job is to bring the project to the point where it can be produced and assembled.
Below are the two service levels.
Two service levels, based on the complexity of your project
The goal doesn't change: taking your circuit schematic to a PCB ready for prototyping or production, leaving sources, libraries and documentation inside your company so the project stays under your technical control. What changes between Standard and Advanced is the complexity of the circuit to be handled.
PCB Source-Ready Standard
For already defined projects, with contained complexity
Choose Standard if your project roughly fits these conditions:
- Up to about 400 components.
- The PCB can be built with standard through-hole vias, with no blind or buried vias (HDI technology).
- Differential pairs are fine, but no traces requiring precise length matching.
- Maximum link currents up to about 5 A.
- Voltages up to about 48 V.
- A single PCB, with no several interconnected boards.
You reach prototyping or production with a verified PCB project and editable sources, together with the technical package you need to talk to the manufacturer and the EMS.
The project doesn't stay tied to whoever drew the layout: future revisions are handled by your own engineering team.
The effective price depends on the complexity of the circuit and on the status of the circuit schematic. The price refers to PCB design, engineering activities and support during the production and assembly phase. It does NOT cover the costs of PCB production and assembly
2 slots available in order to have the circuits ready for the tests within december 2026
Request a no-obligation technical pre-assessment of your project (it takes about 1 minute) · I reply within 24 hours
PCB Source-Ready Advanced
For projects with greater electrical, mechanical or layout complexity
Choose Advanced when the circuit has one or more of these characteristics:
- More than 400 components.
- Density or fine-pitch BGA packages that require HDI technology: blind or buried vias.
- Currents above 5 A on one or more links.
- Presence of high voltages, for example 110 Vac or 250 Vac.
- A product made of several interconnected PCBs.
The same no-lock-in handover principle as the Standard level, applied to a project that needs more articulated management of constraints and layout criticalities.
On top of that you receive the map of the layout areas relevant to EMC testing: you reach the test chamber with the attention points already identified.
The effective price depends on the complexity of the circuit and on the status of the circuit schematic. The price refers to PCB design, engineering activities and support during the production and assembly phase. It does NOT cover the costs of PCB production and assembly.
1 slot available in order to have the circuits ready for the tests within december 2026
Request a no-obligation technical pre-assessment of your project (it takes about 1 minute) · I reply within 24 hours
📦 What the work includes, at both levels
Whatever the level, the project follows the PCB Without Lock-in™ Protocol. Here is what happens to reach the result described above:
- Readiness Gate check.
- Weekly technical update, by email or call.
- Stack-up planning.
- Component placement.
- Layout routing.
- DRC and DFM verification.
- Delivery of the project files with footprint libraries (I prefer KiCad; I also handle Altium Designer and Cadence).
- Delivery of the production files: Gerbers, pick-and-place, BOM and, if needed, ODB++.
- 3D model in STEP format, to avoid surprises when fitting the board into the enclosure.
- BOM with supply-risk flags and possible alternatives.
- Technical coordination with the EMS during prototyping and production.
🎁 At handover you don't just receive the files to produce
You also receive what it takes to understand and maintain the project over time. At both levels:
The written reference for future changes, replacements and revisions.
15–20 recorded minutes on the critical decisions — the ones you can't read from the files.
Within 4 months of handover I re-verify component availability, ahead of your first production order.
A concise map of the layout sections relevant to EMC testing — exposed interfaces, power sections, clock signals — with the choices adopted and the points to monitor during the tests.
The report does not guarantee passing the EMC tests: it makes explicit the risk areas already identified, before you walk into the lab.
- Checking the availability of active components.
- Analysis of the circuit schematic to identify the various sections and any critical interfaces.
- Alignment on mechanical constraints: dimensions, mounting holes, connector positions.
🎁 What the bonuses contain (and why I chose them)
These bonuses aren't gadgets added to inflate the offer. Each one closes a specific problem that SMEs run into after the files are handed over — when the typical supplier has already moved on to the next project.
Project hardware documentation
A year from now a component goes out of production, or a mechanical revision forces you to move a connector. With the hardware documentation your engineering team opens a document, finds the project structure, the circuit sections and the constraints to respect, and handles the change on its own. Without it, every intervention starts over from a reverse-engineering of the files — or from a phone call to the supplier, hoping they answer.
Layout video walkthrough
The documentation tells you what is in the project. The video explains why. In 15–20 recorded minutes I open the sources with you and walk back through the decisions you can't read in the files: why the components sit where they sit, where the current return paths run, which areas you can modify safely and which ones require a check before touching them. The video stays with your team: if in two years the person who followed the project has moved to another company, the design reasoning doesn't leave with them.
BOM Health Check within 4 months of handover
Months go by between the handover of the project and the first production order. In that period a component can go NRND, a lead time can jump from 6 to 26 weeks — and you find out when the EMS blocks your order. Within 4 months of handover I re-verify the availability and life-cycle status of the BOM components and flag the critical ones together with the possible alternatives, while the production order is still on the desk and fixing it costs little.
EMC Pre-Compliance Design Report Advanced only
A concise document that maps the layout sections relevant to EMC testing — exposed interfaces, power sections, clock signals — along with the layout choices adopted to contain them and the points to monitor in the chamber.
One necessary clarification: no report guarantees passing the tests, because the result also depends on the schematic, the firmware and the cabling. What the report gives you is a sheet that arrives at the lab with the risk areas already identified: if a problem shows up, you and the lab know where to start, without burning days of chamber time searching blindly.
Why it isn't a simple PCB-routing service
A cheap layout may be enough if you only want to obtain Gerbers and pick&place.
This service is different: it's for when your company wants to keep technical control of the project even after handover.
Some online portals now also offer a routing service, at low cost or bundled into the production order. It works as long as the project never changes. But at the first modification (such as a component going out of production, or a mechanical revision) you find out whether you received a PCB your company can manage, or just files tied to that platform.
With the PCB Without Lock-in Protocol, the editable sources and libraries are yours from the moment of handover.
That's why the work includes:
✕ I'm probably not the right choice if…
You're only looking for the lowest price to generate a Gerber file.
✓ The Protocol is designed for you if…
You want to reduce the risk of delays, incomplete files, supplier dependency and problems in the EMS phase. That's exactly what the PCB Without Lock-in™ Protocol was created for.
Guarantees without unrealistic promises
I don't promise that a complex electronic board will always work on the first prototype: that would be an unserious promise, because it also depends on the schematic, firmware, components, testing and external constraints. What I do guarantee is what's under my control: method, transparency, completeness of the files and the absence of technical lock-in. More precisely, the service is protected by these three guarantees:
Anti Lock-in Guarantee
At handover you receive the editable sources and the agreed EMS package. If a planned item is missing — sources, libraries, Gerbers, drill, pick&place, BOM, assembly files, technical documentation — I integrate it at no cost within 5 working days.
Weekly Transparency Guarantee
If you don't receive the agreed weekly technical report without prior notice, you're entitled to an extra technical re-alignment session at no cost.
Readiness Guarantee
If blocking issues emerge during the Readiness Gate and remain unresolved, the layout doesn't start until the project is technically ready.
Why it pays to move now, if you already have a schematic on the table or in progress
The further the project goes, the more expensive some decisions become to revisit.
Bringing PCB design in while the schematic can still be worked on makes it possible to check layout constraints, manufacturability and test coverage before they turn into late changes.
This is not about speeding the project up at all costs. It is about reaching production with fewer unknowns and with the technical decisions already verified.
Are you ready to make your circuit schematic real?
How does the service work? 🔧 📝
Step 1. Fill in the form below
In the text field, specify in particular whether it's a simple project or a more complex one. I prefer to use KiCad, but I'm also available to use Altium Designer or Cadence if you already have design drafts made with those CAD tools.
Step 2. Reply within 48 hours
You'll get an answer within 48 hours.
Step 3. Online meeting
If you think it's useful, we can set up an online meeting to get to know each other better.
Step 4. Non-disclosure agreement (NDA) and contract with the service terms and conditions
You'll receive, signed, the non-disclosure agreement covering the information you provide, and the contract including the terms and conditions of the service.
Step 5. Payment and delivery
Before starting, I'll ask you to pay 50% of the quote. The balance will be requested within 30 days of delivering the final technical documentation. Support during the prototyping/production phase is handled as technical-coordination work, not as a direct supply of assembled PCBs.
Emissions control belongs in the layout, not at the end of the project
An EMC issue found during certification means a PCB change on a board that has already been manufactured. The cost is not just the new revision: it is the weeks of delay and the prototype batch that has to be rebuilt.
This is why I completed a 1:1 training program on electromagnetic interference control with Dario Fresu, an EMI/EMC specialist. The practices that came out of it are part of how I set up every layout today, from stack-up selection to the handling of return paths.
Gabriele completed our 1:1 EMI Training program with dedication and a strong willingness to learn. From the start, he showed a solid understanding of EMI challenges and quickly applied best practices to his circuit designs. His ability to grasp complex concepts and implement them effectively was impressive.
Beyond his technical skills, Gabriele's curiosity and proactive approach made working with him a great experience. He made insightful questions, engaged deeply with the material, and showed a genuine commitment to mastering EMI mitigation. His strong work ethic and attention to detail set him apart.
I highly recommend Gabriele to any team or project that values strong EMI control and high-quality circuit design.
Gabriele Marocco PCB Designer, IPC CID
I have personally taken 10 boards into production: 9 home automation modules and 1 industrial vibration sensor.
- 10boards taken into production
- 9/9home automation modules: EMC passed on the first attempt
- 12+years working on electronic circuits
All 9 home automation modules passed EMC testing on the first attempt. The vibration sensor needed a single fix — changing the value of two capacitors to pass conducted RF immunity — which I identified and closed out without redoing the layout.
I mention that last case on purpose. An immunity test never lets a rough choice : the gap between "passes first time" and "weeks of respin" can come down to two capacitors decided during layout. That's why I work on the details before the board reaches the lab, when fixing them costs an hour instead of a board revision.
I work mainly with KiCad, with open source files owned by the client. IPC CID (Certified Interconnect Designer) certified since 2020, over 12 years on electronic circuits, the last 3 focused on home automation and industrial sensing — the sectors where EMC and field reliability are not negotiable.
I work under the No Lock-in PCB Protocol
- Every week you receive a report or an update call
- The project files are yours
- The components I select are easy to source
Here are some boards I've designed
ESP32-S3 — Industrial Development Board
The challenge
Making a radio-frequency section coexist with an isolated section dedicated to RS485 and CAN-BUS communication, while maintaining signal integrity in both domains.
Industrial sensor
The challenge
The small PCB dimensions required the use of a BGA microcontroller with a 0.5 mm pitch, taking the project into HDI (High Density Interconnect) territory.
Home-automation module
The challenge
Finding a circuit solution and a component layout able to respect the constraints imposed by the enclosure, while ensuring the EMC tests are passed.
High-current home-automation module
The challenge
Making the low-voltage logic coexist with the high-voltage, high-current power section, ensuring proper isolation and passing the EMC tests.
PCB for an automatic test bench
The challenge
Managing the high number of signals while respecting the constraint of building the PCB with a maximum of 4 layers, optimising the routing and the separation of domains.
F.A.Q — PCB Design Services
What exactly does the PCB designer (layout designer) do?
The PCB designer takes an already-defined schematic and turns it into a manufacturable, documented and long-term maintainable layout. In practice they verify the mechanical and circuit constraints, do component placement, layout routing, DRC/DFM checks and prepare the files needed to interface with the PCB manufacturer and the EMS.
It's not just "pulling traces". The value of the masterist is turning a schematic into a technical package that your company can produce, verify, modify and maintain even after handover, without being rigidly dependent on whoever did the work.
Does the PCB designer also build the physical PCB and do the assembly?
No. This is a PCB engineering service: technical verification of the project, layout, documentation, production files and technical coordination with the PCB manufacturer and/or assembler. The physical fabrication of the printed circuit board, the purchase of components and the assembly are not included, unless separately agreed with the suppliers involved.
On request, I can support the start-up phase towards the manufacturer or assembler (EMS), uploading the files, answering technical clarifications and verifying that the delivered package is consistent with the production requirements. But my role stays that of the project's technical reference, not a reseller of the physical supply.
What data do I need to give to the PCB designer for a reliable quote?
An up-to-date schematic, BOM, mechanical constraints, expected production target, any EMC notes or critical requirements, the CAD already used internally and the project's maturity status. The clearer the initial material, the more realistic the quote and the less room there is for rework.
What's included in the service?
Generally included are the initial readiness check, stack-up planning, component placement, layout routing, DRC/DFM checks, preparation of the project and production files, delivery of the annotated BOM and technical coordination with the manufacturer/EMS as defined in the quote.
What is not included in the service?
Not included are PCB production, component purchasing, assembly, lab costs, product certification, regulatory testing, firmware and schematic changes outside the agreed scope. If extra requests emerge beyond the project, they are handled as additional activities.
Which deliverables do I receive at handover?
A typical delivery includes the editable project sources, the libraries used or needed for maintenance, the production files for PCB and assembly, the agreed technical documentation, the BOM with any risk notes, and — when planned — the 3D model in STEP format. If agreed, the package can also include ODB++ or other formats useful to the manufacturer/EMS flow.
In other words, the goal isn't to hand you just "Gerbers and pick-and-place", but a tidy package your team or another supplier can reopen and manage. This point is central when you want to avoid technical lock-in and starting from scratch at the first revision.
Does the PCB designer also interact with the PCB manufacturer or the EMS?
Yes, this can be part of the service. If you don't already have a reference supplier, the masterist can support the choice of the most suitable channel, uploading the files to the portals, checking the consistency of the technical package and answering the operational clarifications that come from the factory or the assembler.
If instead your purchasing office or your team already has a supplier, the masterist's role remains that of a technical interface: clarifying doubts about the data, integrating any missing files within scope and helping avoid misunderstandings between design and production.
Who chooses the manufacturer or assembler?
You can choose it, or you can ask me for technical support in selecting the most suitable channel. The final commercial decision remains with your company, unless otherwise agreed.
Who is responsible for the circuit choices and product requirements?
Responsibilities must be distinguished from the start. The masterist takes charge of the layout, the consistency of the technical package and the interface towards production for what depends on the layout itself; the electronic architecture choices, functional requirements, system performance, firmware and final product validation remain with the client or the circuit designer, unless otherwise agreed.
This point isn't there to offload responsibility: it's there to avoid wrong expectations. A good layout reduces risk and rework, but it can't replace the correct definition of requirements or system validation.
Who owns the files, the sources and the intellectual property?
Unless otherwise agreed, ownership of the project and of the documentation developed for your job stays with your company.
Can we sign an NDA before sharing the files?
Yes. It's a normal and recommended request when you need to share a schematic, BOM, mechanical constraints or product documentation. The NDA can be signed before the delivery of the technical material and before issuing the final quote.
What does "without lock-in" really mean?
It means that at handover you receive not only the files to fabricate, but also the files to understand, reopen, modify and maintain the project. In practice, if tomorrow you need to change a component, update the enclosure or move to another EMS, you don't start from scratch.
If we change PCB supplier or EMS in the future, does the project stay reusable?
This is one of the core goals of the service. The package is prepared precisely to reduce dependency on a single supplier and to allow technical continuity over time.
Will I receive an invoice for the service?
Yes. A regular electronic invoice is issued for each phase planned in the quote. As a rule, the project starts after payment of the initial deposit indicated in the quote. The balance is requested according to the agreed deadlines, generally within 30 days of delivering the final technical documentation.
The invoices issued are not pro-forma documents: they are tax documents transmitted through the Italian Interchange System (Sistema di Interscambio). For this reason payment must be made by the deadline indicated on the invoice.
Any technical observations on the project, requests for clarification or corrections foreseen within the service scope do not automatically suspend payment of invoices already issued, unless otherwise agreed in writing between the parties.
What happens if errors are found when the board arrives?
A complex electronic board may require checks, tests and sometimes a revision after the first prototype. That's why the service includes technical support during the prototyping and production phase, as agreed in the quote.
If the error is attributable to the files I delivered or to an activity of mine within the service scope, I correct the necessary files free of charge and propose, where possible, technical solutions to recover boards already produced or to reduce the impact of the rework.
Outside this coverage are errors due to circuit choices not part of my assignment, incomplete or modified requirements after approval, firmware problems, assembly errors, unagreed component substitutions, manufacturer/assembler limits, or decisions taken by the client without a technical check by me.
Handling an error or a revision cannot be used as a reason to suspend payment of invoices relating to activities already carried out and delivered, unless otherwise agreed in writing.