Beyond Design: Slaying Signal Integrity Villains
Elementary Mr. Watson: Running the Signal Gauntlet
The Shaughnessy Report: Winning the Signal Integrity Battle
One Designer’s Journey With IPC Apprenticeships
March 3, 2025 | Cory Blaylock, IPCEstimated reading time: 1 minute
At Re:Build Manufacturing, the commitment to workforce development is evident in its adoption of apprenticeships. The company has 26 registered apprentices across seven occupations. One of its business units, AppliedLogix, showcases that innovation isn’t just about creating cutting-edge electronics—it’s also about investing in people. The team has embraced the IPC PCB Design Engineer Apprenticeship program, a unique pathway that combines hands-on training with IPC’s world-class curriculum.
The result is a growing pipeline of talented professionals ready to tackle the challenges of PCB design. Let’s take a closer look at the program in action through the story of an apprentice who’s making waves in his new career.
Meet Steve Chirpich: Following a Passion for PCB Design
If you’d told Steve Chirpich a year ago that he would be designing printed circuit boards, he might have been surprised. After deciding to make a career change to follow his passion for technology and PCB layout design, Steve took a leap into the high-tech world of electronics manufacturing.
Now, Steve is thriving as a PCB design engineer apprentice at Re:Build AppliedLogix. His journey into this new field has been nothing short of transformative.
"This program has been a game-changer," Steve says. "The hands-on training and mentorship I’ve received have given me a solid foundation in PCB design. I’m not just learning skills; I’m building the confidence to contribute to real projects. I’m excited to keep growing and refining my expertise."
And grow he has. Steve is already making an impact on critical projects, proving that the apprenticeship model works—not just for apprentices, but for employers too.
To read this entire article, which appeared in the February 2025 issue of Design007 Magazine, click here.
Share on:
Testimonial
"Advertising in PCB007 Magazine has been a great way to showcase our bare board testers to the right audience. The I-Connect007 team makes the process smooth and professional. We’re proud to be featured in such a trusted publication."
Klaus Koziol - atgSuggested Items
Technica USA Advocates for PCBAA Membership Among Printed Circuit Assembly Customers
09/16/2025 | Technica USATechnica USA is actively encouraging its printed circuit assembly customers to join the Printed Circuit Board Association of America (PCBAA), a leading industry organization advocating for increased domestic production of printed circuit boards (PCBs) and substrates.
Knocking Down the Bone Pile: Best Practices for Electronic Component Salvaging
09/17/2025 | Nash Bell -- Column: Knocking Down the Bone PileElectronic component salvaging is the practice of recovering high-value devices from PCBs taken from obsolete or superseded electronic products. These components can be reused in new assemblies, reducing dependence on newly purchased parts that may be costly or subject to long lead times.
Staying on Top of Signal Integrity Challenges
09/16/2025 | Andy Shaughnessy, Design007 MagazineOver the years, Kris Moyer has taught a variety of advanced PCB design classes, both online IPC courses and in-person classes at California State University-Sacramento, where he earned his degrees in electrical engineering. Much of his advanced curriculum focuses on signal integrity, so we asked Kris to discuss the trends he’s seeing in signal integrity today, the SI challenges facing PCB designers, and his go-to techniques for controlling or completely eliminating SI problems.
TTM Technologies to Exhibit at the Electronica India 2025 Exhibition in Bengaluru, India
09/16/2025 | Globe NewswireTTM Technologies, Inc., a leading global manufacturer of technology solutions, including mission systems, radio frequency (RF) components, RF microwave/microelectronic assemblies, and quick-turn and technologically advanced printed circuit boards (PCBs), will exhibit at the Electronica India 2025 trade fair, at Hall 3, booth #H41, from September 17-19, 2025, at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre, Bengaluru, India.
ICAPE Group Unveils Exclusive Report on Sustainability in Electronics Manufacturing
09/15/2025 | ICAPE GroupICAPE Group, a global leader in printed circuit boards (PCBs) and custom electronics manufacturing, today announces the launch of its 2025 Industry Outlook & Innovation Report: Sustainability in Electronics Manufacturing. This exclusive report is accompanied by fresh insights from a dedicated Statista survey of 100 electronics manufacturing professionals, commissioned by ICAPE Group.