Printed Circuit

Hosted by Siemens Digital Industries Software

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Mar 2026

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About the show

Welcome to The Printed Circuit, a Siemens Podcast. Hosted by Stephen Chavez, each episode will focus on trends, challenges, and opportunities across the printed circuit engineering industry. Topics range from achieving supply chain resilience, to learning PCB design best practices.

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41 recent

June 16, 202630 min

Trust Is Good, Control Is Better: Designing Hardware Faster Without Betting It All on AI

What if the biggest bottleneck in hardware design isn't your engineer's skill — it's the sheer volume of manual work standing between a great idea and a working schematic? And once you decide to embrace AI-assisted design, how do you make sure the output is actually trustworthy enough to build from? What you’ll learn… (00:12) Why fragmented workflows hit SMB hardware teams hardest (02:39) The real cost of going from requirements to prototype without specialist support (07:33) How functional block-level design changes early decisions — including when a SOM beats building from scratch (12:04) Why system-level abstraction catches wrong-path decisions before they reach the schematic (14:39) The "rubber duck debugging" effect: how AI clarifies requirements before they become costly mistakes (17:54) The biggest AI misconception in hardware design — and why the engineer must own every decision (20:30) How CELUS's NXP collaboration delivers manufacturer-validated, human-in-the-loop solutions (25:05) Why abstraction-first tools help SMBs take on projects that would otherwise be out of reach (28:19) The CELUS Success Program: high-touch onboarding for SMBs on the Siemens instance More about the episode… In this episode of the Printed Circuit Podcast, host Steph Chavez welcomes back Antonio Becerra Esteban, VP of Customer Success at CELUS — a physicist-turned-engineer with experience at Infineon and Altium who now leads the team ensuring customers extract real value from the platform. The conversation tackles the fragmented, manual journey from requirements to schematic that burdens small hardware teams. Antonio explains how CELUS's functional block-level design approach lets engineers define system architectures, navigate component trade-offs with an AI assistant, and output fully-interconnected schematics — illustrating the point with a Linux-based HMI example where the right abstraction layer turns a complex MPU build into a simple SOM selection. On the trust question, Antonio is direct: the engineer must own every decision. CELUS backs this up with manufacturer-validated design blocks, transparent sourcing, and a human-in-the-loop process — putting engineers in the driving seat rather than asking them to ship whatever the model produces. SMBs can join CELUS' Success Program by sending an email to cs@celus.io. Connect with Steph Chavez: LinkedIn Website Connect with Antonio Becerra Esteban: LinkedIn CELUS Website

March 20, 202630 min

Drop It in the River: The Surprisingly Simple Philosophy Behind Manufacturing 2,000+ Circuit Boards with a Tiny Team

What if the wrong click turned out to be the right one? And once you’re in the industry, how do you build a process that lets a lean team of 15 manage more than 2,000 unique circuit board products without it all falling apart? What you’ll learn… (00:50) Are Halvorsen’s role at Microchip and his team’s mission building eval boards and EVKs for new silicon products (04:00) How Microchip’s Trondheim team manages high-mix, low-volume production of 2,000+ PCB products using contracted manufacturers and a PCB broker (07:35) Why DFM must be built into the design from day one and what it means to truly know your CM’s capabilities (11:45) Test point strategy: when full net coverage makes sense versus targeted functional testing for complex, constrained boards (16:25) Gerber vs. ODB++ vs. IPC-2581—where the industry actually stands today (17:20) Scaling design processes across global teams: lessons learned from early Atmel days to Microchip’s current operations (23:00) The “river” philosophy: a self-service, no-blockers approach that lets designs flow from concept to warehouse (24:45) What Are is looking forward to with Siemens EDA—integrated toolchains, browser-based design review, and automatic lifecycle traceability (29:05) Final thoughts: constant change, AI, data centers, and the endless possibilities ahead for PCB engineers More about the episode… In this episode of the Printed Circuit Podcast, host Steph Chavez welcomes Are Halvorsen, Principal Design Engineer at Microchip Technology's Trondheim office in Norway. Are's path into engineering is anything but conventional — starting as a teenage electrician-in-training, pivoting through an oil-drilling master's program, and ultimately landing in electronics after accidentally clicking the wrong course in an online portal. The conversation dives into Microchip's high-mix, low-volume production model, where a team of 15 operations professionals manages over 2,000 unique PCB products through contracted manufacturers. Are walks through their layered quality approach — AOI, MDA, and a Python-based functional test framework — and explains how remote debugging through test logs lets him pinpoint issues without ever touching the hardware. Are also reflects on the lessons learned scaling these processes across global teams, championing a self-service "river" philosophy where well-prepared design packages flow from creation to warehouse with minimal friction — but without sacrificing accountability. The episode closes with his vision for a fully integrated EDA toolchain that frees engineers to focus on what they do best: designing great hardware. Connect with Steph Chavez: LinkedIn Website Connect with Are Halvorsen: LinkedIn Website

December 12, 202530 min

Defense-Grade Design: Mentorship, Reliability, and the Next Wave of PCB Innovation

How do you train the next generation of PCB engineers when the veterans are retiring faster than they can be replaced? And what happens when the lessons learned in the Marine Corps become the blueprint for building defense-grade electronics? What you’ll learn… (00:40) Tim’s journey from Marine Corps captain to CEO of Timberwolf Tech LLC (02:30) The state of U.S. defense electronics and why skills shortages threaten national security (04:50) The education gap: how academia is falling behind in practical PCB training (06:30) Why mentorship, not just tools, is key to building the next generation of engineers (09:40) Expedition EDA tools and how the right software accelerates defense-grade design (12:50) High-speed design challenges: DDR4, 25 Gbps lanes, and the limits of board density (13:50) How to handle “72-hour-turnaround” boards and design under battle conditions (19:00) Power-delivery, signal-integrity, and the forgotten fundamentals of quality design (22:00) The role of AI in EDA—and why it will never replace human engineering judgment (25:30) How investment, mentorship, and collaboration will close the PCB talent gap More about the episode… In this episode of The Printed Circuit Podcast, host Steph Chavez welcomes Tim, former Marine Corps ISR pilot and current CEO of Timberwolf Tech LLC, a defense-electronics design firm tackling some of the most demanding high-speed, high-reliability PCB projects in the industry. Drawing from his experience on the battlefield and in the boardroom, Tim shares how precision, reliability, and mentorship define both military and engineering excellence. He explains how the skills gap across the electronics industry has become a national-security issue, as veteran designers retire faster than they can be replaced. Tim highlights why today’s engineering education often misses the mark—focusing on theory instead of hands-on application—and calls for renewed investment in academic-industry collaboration. He also discusses his preferred EDA ecosystem, Siemens Expedition, and why modern defense boards demand tools capable of managing 25 Gbps signals, DDR4 layouts, and extreme reliability requirements. The conversation dives deep into mentorship, AI in EDA, and real-world design pressure, from 72-hour emergency turnarounds to projects where a single mis-routed trace could mean mission failure. Tim’s passion for teaching and his pragmatic outlook make this a must-listen episode for anyone invested in the future of printed-circuit engineering. Connect with Steph Chavez: LinkedIn Website

October 14, 202528 min

The Future of Scalable PCB Design From Complexity to Clarity

How do you keep pace with rising PCB complexity while ensuring scalability and innovation? What you’ll learn… (00:40) David Haboud’s career journey and what drew him to Siemens (02:50) Aligning personal vision with Siemens mission of digital transformation and sustainability (04:50) The role of a technical audience manager in amplifying customer voices (07:00) Why integrated ecosystems outperform siloed toolchains (08:40) Today’s biggest challenges in PCB design: complexity, time-to-market, and supply chain volatility (10:50) What is the true cost of the decisions you make and how they impact downstream? (13:10) Hidden costs in component libraries and the case for smarter automation (15:31) How automation has always been part of EDA—and what’s next (18:40) Scalability of Xpedition Standard and what it means for engineers and SMBs (23:30) The future of PCB design: AI integration, sustainability, and smarter business-driven design More about the episode… In this episode of the Printed Circuit Podcast, host Steph Chavez welcomes Siemens newest co-host, David Haboud, Senior Technical Audience Manager at Siemens EDA. With over a decade of experience spanning embedded software and hardware product marketing, David shares how his career has been shaped by bridging gaps between domains and amplifying the user’s voice in product development. Together, Steph and David explore how Siemens fully integrated digital thread transforms the way products move from concept to manufacturing—eliminating translation errors, reducing wasted time, and enabling true digital twins. They discuss the hidden costs of component selection, how scalability in solutions like Xpedition Standard empowers both startups and enterprises, and why automation and AI are key to unlocking engineers’ full potential. The conversation also dives into the challenges facing modern PCB designers: supply chain volatility, increasing design complexity, and time-to-market pressure. Steph and David emphasize the importance of training the next generation of engineers, academia collaboration, and adopting scalable ecosystems that grow with business needs. This episode is ideal for PCB designers, electrical engineers, design managers, SMBs, and enterprises who want to harness scalability, digital transformation, and smarter automation in their workflows. Connect with Steph Chavez: LinkedIn Website Connect with David Haboud LinkedIn Website

August 14, 202519 min

Secure, Remote, and Collaborative: The Future of PCB Design

How do you enable seamless PCB design collaboration for globally distributed teams without sacrificing security or IP control? What you’ll learn… How cloud connectivity supports asynchronous design reviews across time zones Why web-based 2D/3D visualization is a game changer for non-EDA stakeholders How BOM integration and real-time supply chain data reduce redesign risk Best practices for balancing accessibility with security in PCB design The role of AI in future PCB collaboration and design review workflows Where you’ll find it… (01:00) How has cloud connectivity transformed PCB design collaboration in recent years? (02:20) How web-based 2D 3D visualization works in practice? (03:30) What specific features enable remote design reviews to be as effective as in-person reviews? (05:35) How does the bill of materials factor into the design review process? (07:00) How do you balance accessibility with security in cloud-connected design? (08:25) What measures are in place to protect intellectual property during collaboration? (10:25) Layers of access control in secure cloud environments (16:00) The future of cloud-connected PCB design and AI’s role More about the episode… In this episode of the Printed Circuit Podcast, host Steph Tinkham speaks with Paul Welch, Product Manager at Siemens EDA, about how secure, cloud-connected solutions are transforming PCB design collaboration. Paul explains how centralized, cloud-based environments enable asynchronous design reviews, bringing together global teams while maintaining full traceability of feedback and design changes. He dives into the advantages of web-based 2D and 3D visualization for stakeholders without direct EDA tool access, and how integrating BOM insights with live supply chain data helps avoid late-stage redesigns. The conversation also covers Siemens’ secure-by-design approach, the multiple layers of access control that protect intellectual property, and where AI will fit into future PCB workflows, from prioritizing design review feedback to streamlining issue management. Ideal for PCB designers, electrical engineers, design managers, supply chain teams, and anyone involved in collaborative, multi-location PCB projects. Connect with Steph Chavez: LinkedIn Website Connect with Paul Welch LinkedIn Website

April 29, 202530 min

From Chaos to Control: How PLM Integration is Transforming PCB Design

What happens when you fabricate the wrong version of a board because someone skipped the process? It’s a nightmare scenario—and it’s more common than you think. But there’s a solution: PLM integration. In this episode of The Printed Circuit Podcast, host Steph Chavez is joined by Scott Claes, Senior Technical Marketing Engineer at Siemens, to explore how Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems can revolutionize PCB design workflows. With nearly two decades of experience integrating ECAD data with PLM systems, Scott offers practical insights into how PLM enhances design control, collaboration, and efficiency across global teams. The discussion covers the real-world problems PCB designers face when managing data, from version confusion to design reuse challenges, and how a properly implemented PLM system solves them. Whether you’re navigating compliance needs like ITAR and HIPAA, or trying to bridge the gap between ECAD and MCAD, this episode provides a clear roadmap for leveraging PLM in your design ecosystem. This conversation is essential for PCB designers, electrical engineers, CAD admins, and product teams looking to streamline their design process and avoid costly mistakes. What You’ll Learn in this Episode: What does a PLM system do? (1:35) How does PLM integration enhance rather than restrict design freedom? (4:55) How PLM enables easy reuse of previously released designs. (6:35) Avoiding Costly Errors: How PLM prevents versioning mix-ups and fabrication mistakes (8:15) How PLM supports ECAD/MCAD integration and complex designs like flex and rigid-flex (11:55) Learning Curve & Workflow Impact: What PCB designers can expect when adapting to PLM (13:30) Behind the Scenes of Integration: How PLM connectors automate design data management and bill of materials comparisons (16:55) Library Management & Synchronization: What to push, what not to, and where EDM fits in (21:10) How PLM supports ITAR, HIPAA, and team-based permission management (24:40) Why learning PLM early can boost your career and prevent process bottlenecks (26:55) What’s next for ECAD-to-PLM flows and supplier integration (28:10) Connect with Steph Chavez: LinkedIn Website Connect with Scott Claes LinkedIn Website

March 25, 202528 min

How AI is Changing PCB Design Forever (And What It Means for You)

Artificial Intelligence is everywhere, but what does it mean for PCB design? Will AI replace engineers, or will it be the ultimate tool for enhancing productivity and innovation? In this episode of The Printed Circuit Podcast, host Steph Chavez sits down with André Alcalde, co-founder of CELUS, to explore the role of AI in PCB design and the broader electronics engineering landscape. As someone with a deep background in hardware design, André shares his unique perspective on how AI can optimize workflows, reduce design iteration time, and future-proof engineering careers. The conversation delves into AI’s ability to automate aspects of PCB design, the risks and rewards of adopting AI-driven solutions, and how engineers can best adapt to the rapid evolution of technology. With data security and intellectual property protection concerns, how can companies safely implement AI while keeping their designs secure? This episode is a must-listen for PCB designers, electronics engineers, and technology leaders looking to understand how AI is reshaping the design process. Whether you're a seasoned professional adapting to new tools or an industry newcomer eager to stay ahead of the curve, this conversation offers valuable insights into the future of AI-driven automation in PCB design. What You’ll Learn in this Episode: AI in PCB Design: Fad or Here to Stay? (1:55) Automation vs. Manual Workflows: To what extent can AI take over PCB design, and what tasks will remain in human hands? (2:50) How companies can ensure data privacy and protect their intellectual property when using AI tools (7:10) The Changing Skillset for Engineers: How AI is shifting the role of PCB designers from execution to problem-solving and validation (12:10) Job Market Impact: Will AI reduce or increase opportunities in the PCB design field? (15:50) The Reluctance to Adopt AI: Why some companies are still hesitant and how expectations influence adoption (17:50) Speeding Up Time to Market: How AI-driven automation can significantly improve design iteration cycles (20:50) The Risks vs. Rewards of AI in PCB Design: Balancing automation, creativity, and human oversight (23:40) Closing thoughts on AI and innovation in PCB design: (25:50) Connect with Steph Chavez: LinkedIn Website Connect with André Alcalde: LinkedIn Website

January 23, 202514 min

Get New Engineers on Board Faster and Increase PCB Design Productivity by 30% with intuitive software

What does the changing workforce mean for the future of PCB design? How can intuitive software bridge the gap between retiring experts and incoming engineers? In this episode of The Printed Circuit Podcast, host Steph Chavez welcomes Jerry Suiter, Chief Architect at Siemens, to discuss the evolution of PCB design tools. As the industry faces a generational shift, Siemens is at the forefront of creating intuitive user experiences that cater to both power users and first-time engineers. Jerry shares his decades of insights into the challenges of modern PCB design, the critical need for tools that accelerate productivity, and the role of AI-driven customization in enhancing the user experience. From addressing workforce dynamics to developing AI-powered design aids, this conversation highlights how Siemens is preparing the next wave of engineers to be creative and productive from day one. What You’ll Learn in this Episode: The key challenges of a retiring PCB workforce and the rise of multi-skilled engineers ( 1:30 ) How intuitive software tools accelerate productivity for infrequent users ( 3:55 ) The role of AI in modern PCB design—from predictive commands to customization ( 5:30 ) Insights from five beta programs and the surprising results of A/B testing ( 10:35 ) How Siemens tools deliver a 30% productivity boost for new PCB engineers ( 11:20 ) Connect with Steph Chavez: LinkedIn Website Connect with Jerry Suiter Website

December 10, 202433 min

Harnessing AI in PCB Design - A Conversation with CELUS

How is AI reshaping the PCB design landscape? What challenges are engineers and small businesses facing today, and how can advanced tools provide solutions? In this episode of The Printed Circuit Podcast, host Steph Chavez from Siemens speaks with Antonio Becerra Esteban, Head of Customer Success at CELUS, about the transformative role of AI in PCB design. They explore how AI tools, like the CELUS platform, help engineers move from requirements to prototypes with unparalleled speed and efficiency while addressing challenges like the growing knowledge gap in hardware engineering and supply chain constraints. Antonio shares insights into CELUS' innovative AI assistant, CUBOt , and how it simplifies design processes, enhances decision-making, and minimizes errors. He discusses real-world success stories of how AI-powered solutions have enabled engineers to overcome barriers and help small businesses remain competitive in the fast-evolving PCB market. Listeners will also get a glimpse into the partnership between CELUS and Siemens EDA, which combines the power of AI with cutting-edge PCB design tools to create an integrated, efficient workflow. If you're an engineer, designer, or small business owner searching to learn more about leveraging AI to streamline your PCB design process and stay competitive in the ever-evolving electronics industry, this episode is a must-listen. What You’ll Learn in this Episode: • What does CELUS do, and how was it founded? (00:40) • Biggest challenges engineers and small businesses face in PCB design (04:40) • How is AI specifically transforming the field of PCB design (09:30) • What benefits can engineers gain from using AI in PCB design workflows? (12:24) • How integrating CELUS AI with Siemens design tools will benefit users in the SMB market (22:56) • What to Expect from the CELUS-Siemens Fully Integrated Product in March 2025 (27:55) • Advice for you engineers starting out in PCB design (30:40) Connect with Steph Chavez: ● LinkedIn ● Website Connect with Antonio Becerra Esteban ● LinkedIn ● Website

November 12, 202421 min

The Good, Bad, and Brilliance of Ultra High Density Interconnect (UHDi)

What is Ultra High Density Interconnect (UHDi) technology, and why is it critical for modern PCB designs? How does collaboration between designers and fabricators ensure the success of UHDi boards? In this episode of The Printed Circuit Podcast, host Steph Chavez from Siemens talks with Anaya Vardya, CEO of American Standard Circuits, about Ultra High Density Interconnect (UHDi) technology and its growing importance in industries like telecommunications, aerospace, and medical devices. Anaya explains how UHDi enables smaller, higher-performance PCBs through advanced techniques like microvias and optimized layouts. He also discusses the key challenges in manufacturing these complex boards, such as sequential builds and specialized equipment. Listeners will learn about the importance of early collaboration between designers and fabricators to avoid costly mistakes and delays. Anaya and Steph also touch on the future of PCB technology and the increasing need for advanced solutions like UHDi. What You’ll Learn in this Episode: What is UHDi technology? (3:15) Feedback from the SMTA International Electronics Manufacturing Conference (5:00) What are the design advantages of using UHDi? (6:35) What are the disadvantages of using UHDi? (9:35) What are some typical applications where UHDi would be implemented? (12:25) What are the manufacturing challenges of UHDi technology? (14:15) Where can designers or engineers learn more about UHDi technology? (19:20) Connect with Steph Chavez: LinkedIn Website Connect with Anaya Vardya: LinkedIn Website