Case Study
PCB Builder Platform
Centralized configuration and manufacturer matching engine for complex PCB sourcing.
The PCB Builder Platform was designed to centralize a traditionally fragmented process: specifying and sourcing custom printed circuit boards.
Role: UX Director
Scope: End-to-end product tool design and cross-functional coordination
Context: Multi-team collaboration, complex engineering logic, supplier integration system
Engineers needed a way to enter highly detailed technical requirements and be matched with qualified manufacturing partners capable of fulfilling those specifications.
As UX Director, I led cross-functional alignment across UX designers, electrical engineering subject matter experts, project management, and integration teams.
The result was a highly coordinated, industry-leading tool that unified specification, manufacturer matching, ordering, and communication into a single digital workflow.
The Challenge
PCB procurement is technically dense and variable-driven.
Users must define:
Board dimensions
Layer counts
Materials and substrates
Copper weights
Surface finishes
Quantities
Turnaround requirements
Compliance and certification needs
Each manufacturing partner has unique tolerances, capabilities, and constraints.
Additional complexity included:
Multiple internal teams with competing priorities
Integration of dynamic supplier capability data
The need for engineering-level accuracy
Maintaining usability in a technically complex environment
Cross-company coordination
This was not a marketing site. It was a rules-driven product engine.
My Leadership Role
My responsibility extended beyond interface design.
Aligned UX, engineering SMEs, and integration teams
Translated complex PCB specifications into structured user flows
Implemented a standardized product design process across teams
Established communication checkpoints to reduce ambiguity
Protected usability while honoring technical precision
The success of the platform depended on disciplined orchestration as much as design craft.
System Architecture & Workflow Design
The experience was designed as a guided, step-based configuration system that:
Captured detailed PCB specifications
Validated inputs against supplier capabilities
Matched requirements to qualified manufacturers
Returned viable build options dynamically
To reduce cognitive overload, we implemented:
Progressive disclosure of complexity
Contextual guidance and validation
Clear segmentation of technical input categories
Transparent next steps throughout the workflow
The goal was precision without friction.
Supplier Capability Mapping
A major component of the initiative involved mapping variable manufacturer capabilities into a structured decision framework.
Each build house differed in:
Production tolerances
Material support
Volume thresholds
Lead times
Certification qualifications
The UX system had to accommodate evolving supplier data while maintaining clarity and consistency for users.
Close collaboration between engineering experts and integration architects ensured the platform’s logic remained accurate and scalable.
Ordering & Communication Workflow
The platform extended beyond matching.
Once users selected a manufacturing partner, they could:
Submit their order
Continue the process within the platform
Communicate directly with the PCB manufacturer
Exchange documentation and clarifications
Maintain context within an integrated communication system
This eliminated fragmented email chains and preserved continuity throughout the production lifecycle.
Cross-Functional Coordination
This initiative required structured coordination between:
UX designers
Electrical engineering SMEs
Project managers
Integration teams
External manufacturing partners
Clear governance, milestone checkpoints, and defined ownership prevented scope drift and ensured momentum.
Despite high technical complexity, the platform launched successfully and set a benchmark for centralized PCB sourcing tools.
Outcome
Delivered a unified PCB sourcing and specification engine
Simplified a fragmented, multi-vendor procurement process
Enabled engineers to move from specification to communication in one system
Established a scalable framework for ongoing supplier integration
Raised the bar for usability in a technically dense environment