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 )

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Connect with Jerry SuiterWebsite