The 40-hour, self-paced programme, titled “PCB Design Fundamentals: From Discovery to Production”, combines university instruction with practical training using Siemens’ Xpedition electronic design automation software. It is open to engineering students, working professionals, technicians and career changers, with no formal prerequisites.
Participants who complete the four-course programme can earn a Siemens microcredential and a professional certificate from Arizona State University. Graduates will also be invited to create a profile in the Siemens Talent Directory, which can be searched by the company and participating commercial customers seeking workers with verified technical skills.
The initiative seeks to address a widening gap between theoretical engineering education and the applied capabilities required by electronics employers. Printed circuit boards form the foundation of products ranging from smartphones and medical equipment to electric vehicles, industrial machinery, data centres and aerospace systems.
Demand for designers familiar with modern electronic design automation processes has risen as electronic systems have become more complex. Employers increasingly require engineers who can manage the full development cycle, including component selection, schematic capture, board layout, routing, verification, manufacturability checks and production handover.
The programme is divided into four courses covering PCB materials and manufacturing, schematic design and circuit development, component placement and routing, and design for manufacturing and verification. Learners work through applied projects and graded assessments intended to replicate tasks faced by professional hardware teams.
Siemens said the training was designed to give participants experience across the complete development process rather than concentrating only on individual software functions. That approach reflects industry concerns that new graduates can possess strong knowledge of circuit theory while lacking exposure to production constraints, manufacturing documentation and design validation.
Dora Smith, senior director for future workforce strategy at Siemens Digital Industries Software, said PCB design sits at the intersection of engineering knowledge and manufacturing practice. She said the programme would provide learners with experience that could help them contribute to commercial projects and give employers greater confidence in their capabilities.
Kyle Squires, senior vice-provost of engineering, computing and technology and dean of Arizona State University’s Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, said the collaboration connects engineering fundamentals with skills sought by employers. Faculty expertise is being combined with Siemens technology and industry knowledge to prepare learners for electronics design roles.
The course uses Xpedition, Siemens’ professional PCB design platform deployed in sectors including automotive engineering, aerospace, defence and medical technology. Learners will use the system to progress from schematic development to multi-layer layouts, advanced routing, design-rule checking and manufacturing preparation.
The professional certificate is listed through Arizona State University’s CareerCatalyst platform at $899. It includes four online courses, hands-on laboratories, practical assignments and digital credentials that can be added to professional profiles and job applications.
The Siemens Talent Directory is intended to provide an additional bridge between training and employment. Credential holders can make their verified skills visible to recruiters, hiring managers and companies using Siemens engineering technologies, although participation in the directory does not guarantee placement.
The programme comes as manufacturers and engineering companies confront an ageing PCB design workforce. Industry estimates indicate that a large share of experienced designers could retire within the next 15 years, creating pressure to train replacements while retaining specialist knowledge built over decades.
Modern vehicles can contain more than 100 circuit boards, while artificial intelligence servers, connected devices and advanced medical systems require boards capable of handling greater power, speed and component density. These demands have increased the importance of signal integrity, thermal management, electromagnetic compatibility and design-for-manufacturing expertise.
Universities have expanded short-form credentials as employers place greater emphasis on demonstrable skills alongside traditional degrees. Such programmes can be completed more quickly than full academic qualifications and are designed to help learners acquire targeted capabilities without leaving employment.
Siemens has pursued similar workforce initiatives with universities and professional associations, including PCB courses offering practical design laboratories and industry certification. The ASU partnership broadens that strategy by providing an entirely online pathway without admission requirements.
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