PCB Design

We design the electronics, you focus on your product

You have a strong team for software, industrial design, or production. But electronics? That takes time, requires specific expertise, and it needs to be right the first time. As a specialized PCB design consultancy, we take care of the entire process — from initial idea to production-ready PCB, including firmware if you want.

Professional PCB design by Jitter

Sound familiar?

  • You don't have a hardware engineer in-house, and don't want to hire one for a single project
  • Your software team is strong, but hardware keeps getting delayed or takes too much time
  • You've had a PCB made before that never really became stable
  • It needs to work not just on the bench, but also pass EMC testing
  • You want to build something that can be mass-produced later
  • You're not looking for an experiment, but a reliable design

We design PCBs for companies that need hardware, but don't want or can't do it themselves.

What we do

From idea to production

Every project is different, and every custom PCB design we deliver reflects that. Sometimes you come with a sketch on a napkin, sometimes with a complete specification document. We pick it up where you need us.

Concept & architecture

Together we determine what the hardware needs to do. Which interfaces, which constraints, which environment. We think along about what's smart, and what's overkill.

Schematic design

Component selection, circuit design, power architecture. We make choices that not only work now, but will still be available and viable in two years.

PCB layout

From placement to routing, with attention to EMC, thermal behavior, manufacturability, and testability. This is where a design is made or broken.

Prototyping & validation

We build prototypes, test them, and iterate where needed. Including the firmware to bring the hardware to life. You don't get a bare PCB, but a working system.

Production support

When the design is ready for production, we help with the handover. Bills of materials, fabrication files, and contact with the manufacturer.

Every step is optional. You can have us do the entire process, or just the part where you need help.

Hardware and firmware

Many projects don't stop at the PCB. Hardware needs to be controlled, sensors read out, data processed or transmitted. We can also take on the firmware, so hardware and software are aligned from the start. Saves integration problems later.

Do you have a strong firmware team yourself? Fine, then we'll just deliver the hardware and ensure a proper handover.

How we work

Pragmatic

We build what you need, not what's technically most interesting. No over-engineering, but robust solutions.

Direct lines

You talk to the engineers doing the work. No project managers translating, no waiting weeks for an answer.

Hardware and firmware together

When we do both, they're aligned from the start. No finger-pointing afterward about where the problem lies.

Production-focused

We design with the end result in mind. A PCB that works in the lab but can't be manufactured is not a good design.

EMC-aware

We know what it takes to pass certification. That's built into the design from the start, not as an afterthought.

What we have experience with

  • Sensor integration and signal conditioning
  • Mixed-signal designs (analog + digital)
  • Low-power and battery-powered systems
  • Industrial applications and harsh environments
  • Interfaces: USB, Ethernet, RS-485, SPI, I²C, custom
  • Designs for CE certification

What you get

  • A PCB design that works, not just on paper
  • Clear documentation: schematics, layout, bills of materials
  • Insight into the choices made (and why)
  • A design that can be manufactured, even in larger quantities
  • Optional: firmware, working prototypes, tested and validated

About us

Jitter B.V. has been delivering custom PCB design services for over ten years. We've created designs that run in the field, that have passed EMC, and that are manufactured in series. We know what goes wrong if you're not careful, and how to prevent it.

Already have a design but want it checked?

Curious what a review looks like? See a real example of a design review we did.

See a review example →

Frequently asked questions about PCB design

What does a PCB design cost?
This varies per project and depends on complexity, scope, and specific requirements. For a small project, think around €5,000, while a more complex design can cost €10,000 to €20,000. Want to know for sure? After a no-obligation intake meeting, we provide a quote with the exact costs.
How long does a PCB design take?
A typical PCB design process, from concept to production-ready files, takes 4 to 8 weeks. Then it takes about 3 to 6 weeks before we have the first prototypes in hand. We then test and improve the design if needed. Simpler designs can be faster, complex projects with multiple iterations take longer. This excludes firmware and software development that may run in parallel. We provide a realistic timeline at the start of the project.
What is the difference between a PCB and a printplaat?
There is no difference. PCB is the English abbreviation for Printed Circuit Board. 'Printplaat' is the Dutch term for the same thing. The name refers to the manufacturing process, where the circuit is 'printed' as a pattern of copper traces on the board.
What's the difference between a PCB and a PCBA?
PCBA stands for Printed Circuit Board Assembly. This is a printed circuit board where all electronic components, chips, and connectors are mounted. Strictly speaking, a PCB is just the bare printed circuit board without components. These terms are often used interchangeably.
What's the difference between a PCB design agency and a manufacturer?
A PCB design agency like Jitter B.V. designs the schematic and layout of your circuit board: the engineering. A manufacturer (PCB fabrication, PCBA factory) produces the physical board based on the files we deliver. We do the thinking, the manufacturer does the production. We also guide you through the handover to manufacturing.
What do you need to start a project?
A clear picture of what your product needs to do is the most important thing. That can be a specification document, but also a sketch or a good conversation. Do you already have an existing design, schematic, or hardware reference? That helps. But it's not a requirement, we're happy to think along from the start.
Can I outsource just the PCB layout, or do I need the full service?
If you already have a schematic, we can work with that. However, we will first do a thorough review to ensure we can deliver on our guarantee of always delivering a working product. Sometimes it's actually faster if we redraw the schematic based on our own building blocks.
Can you continue with an existing design or prototype?
Yes. We also do redesigns, improvements, and extensions of existing designs. Check out our service Modernizing existing systems.
What about EMC and certification?
We design with CE certification in mind from the start: grounding, filtering, shielding, and layout choices that prevent problems later. Do we design the entire product? Then we guarantee successful certification.
Who owns the design files and IP?
All project-specific designs, development files, and manufacturing files are yours. You can continue independently with them. For our generic building blocks (proven circuits and modules that we also use in other projects) you receive a license for use within your product. The building blocks themselves remain our property, so we can continue to develop them. This way you benefit from proven technology without bearing the full development costs.
Do you support production and scaling?
Yes. When the design is ready for series production, we help with the handover to the manufacturer: bills of materials, fabrication files, test procedures, and contact with the factory. We can also guide the scaling from prototype to larger volumes.
Do you also design enclosures for the PCBs you design?
Especially for industrial devices and prototypes, we design enclosures. See for example our Frogwatch Sensors. For the consumer market, it is often better to involve an industrial designer.

Ready to make your hardware idea a reality?

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