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Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1543955
12 I-CONNECT007 MAGAZINE I MARCH 2026 I N T E R V I E W BY M A RCY L A RO N T, I - C O N N ECT 0 07 F or decades, automated PCB layout has carried a reputation designers would rather forget. Ben Jordan understands the skep- ticism. With roots in both engineering and EDA product leadership, he's seen the promise and the pitfalls up close. Now at Quilter, Ben is helping reshape what machine-driven placement and rout- ing can deliver. Powered by reinforcement learning and modern compute, Quilter is tackling the back- log, iteration overload, and talent shortage facing design teams today. Marcy LaRont: Ben, please share some of your background and how you came to Quilter. Ben Jordan: I am an embedded hardware engineer, but I've been involved in electronics and hardware design for a long time. I'm also a CID+ certified advanced interconnect (PCB) designer. I've sent boards to fabrication and assembly, through to high- volume production in Asia, so I've lived the conse- quences of design decisions. In my experience over the past 30+ years, having both the engineering foundation and an understanding of PCB design and manufacturing ultimately leads to better results. WHEN LAYOUT LEARNS: This Is Not Your Mother's Auto-router