Gerber fabrication job file containing PCB layer, stackup, and manufacturing metadata in JSON format
File type: 3d graphics, CAD-CAM-CAE file
A GBRJOB file is a Gerber Job File associated with a set of Gerber PCB artwork files. It stores manufacturing information such as the board stackup, layer functions, copper thickness, materials, finish, and relationships between the artwork files.
The format is based on structured JSON and is normally generated together with Gerber X2 or extended Gerber output. KiCad can create and read GBRJOB files through its Gerber Viewer, while some PCB manufacturing and CAM applications can use the metadata when importing a Gerber job.
File type category:
3d graphics, CAD-CAM-CAE file
Date updated: October 12, 2026
GBRJOB is part of the modern Gerber manufacturing workflow maintained by Ucamco. Unlike individual Gerber artwork files, which describe graphical layers such as copper, solder mask, and silkscreen, a job file describes how those files relate to the physical printed circuit board.
The file uses a human-readable JSON structure. Depending on the generating application and Gerber specification version, it can include board information, project metadata, material and finish details, stackup entries, layer polarity, thickness values, and references to the corresponding Gerber files. It is an auxiliary manufacturing file and does not contain the complete PCB artwork by itself.
GBRJOB files are commonly produced by KiCad and may also be supported by commercial PCB design, CAM, and fabrication-preparation systems such as Altium Designer or CAM350, depending on the application version and import options. Compatibility is often limited to the fields that a particular program understands.
Because the format is text-based, it can be inspected with a text editor or a JSON viewer on Windows, macOS, and Linux. A valid GBRJOB file should normally be kept with the Gerber, drill, and other fabrication files from the same export, since the referenced filenames and layer assignments may be significant to a manufacturer or CAM system.
To open a GBRJOB file, use KiCad and its Gerber Viewer when the file belongs to a KiCad fabrication export. Open the related Gerber files as well if you need to inspect the board artwork; the job file primarily supplies descriptive manufacturing metadata.
On Windows, compatible CAM software such as CAM350 or a current PCB design application may import the file. On macOS and Linux, KiCad is the most practical full-featured option. A text editor, JSON editor, or web browser can display the contents on any platform, although those tools will not render the PCB layers or validate the manufacturing data.
GBRJOB files are generally not converted independently because they describe a Gerber export rather than represent PCB artwork. To create one, open the original PCB design in KiCad, Altium Designer, or another compatible PCB application and export the Gerber manufacturing files with the job-file or fabrication-metadata option enabled.
For a different Gerber format or a revised job description, use a desktop CAM or PCB application to import the complete fabrication package and export it again. A JSON editor can make limited metadata changes, but manual editing may break the schema or cause filenames and layer assignments to disagree. Online Gerber viewers and manufacturing portals may accept a GBRJOB file together with its associated Gerbers, but support varies; they do not normally convert it into an older standalone Gerber artwork format.
Language