Job Title: Hardware Engineer
Job Description
This hands-on Hardware Engineer role focuses on designing and supporting hardware for embedded electronic systems, particularly single board computers and similar embedded platforms. You will take electronic designs from initial concept through production, working across the full product lifecycle. The position requires a strong foundation in both analog and digital design, as well as the ability to collaborate closely with cross-functional engineering teams on diverse and technically challenging projects.
Responsibilities
• Design, develop, and document electronic systems and components from initial concept through production release.
• Translate customer and internal requirements into robust hardware solutions, including defining appropriate test and verification strategies.
• Develop detailed schematics using PCB CAD tools and support board layout by defining constraints, routing guidelines, and fabrication outputs.
• Perform analysis such as timing, signal integrity, and overall system performance to ensure reliable and efficient designs.
• Design and simulate digital logic using programmable devices such as FPGAs and CPLDs, utilizing associated development toolchains.
• Evaluate and select electronic components and create supporting models as needed to meet performance, cost, and reliability goals.
• Conduct hardware bring-up, testing, and validation, including support for compliance, safety, and environmental standards.
• Collaborate with mechanical, software, systems, and manufacturing teams to balance design tradeoffs and achieve integrated solutions.
• Support design verification, testing, and documentation activities to ensure high-quality, traceable, and maintainable designs.
• Participate in continuous improvement of design practices, tools, and processes across the hardware engineering team.
Essential Skills
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related technical field.
• 5+ years of experience in electronic circuit design for embedded or related systems.
• Experience with microprocessor-based high-speed PCB design and PCB CAD tools.
• Proficiency in schematic capture and PCB design workflows.
• Familiarity with a variety of test bench equipment for hardware bring-up, measurement, and troubleshooting.
• Strong and effective verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Eligibility to work on ITAR projects (US person status).
• Ability to perform timing and signal integrity analysis and assess overall system performance.
• Experience designing hardware for embedded electronic systems, including single board computers or similar platforms.
• Comfort working across the full product lifecycle, from concept and prototyping through production release.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
• Familiarity with Xpedition and Altium PCB CAD tools.
• Experience with Keysight ADS or similar RF and high-speed simulation tools.
• Experience with FPGA development tools and hardware description languages such as Verilog or VHDL.
• Experience in ARM-based microprocessor and microcontroller designs.
• Experience with design verification, testing, and documentation processes.
• Ability to evaluate and select electronic components and create supporting models.
• Experience with compliance, safety, and environmental testing and standards for electronic hardware.
• US citizenship, where required for certain project assignments.
Work Environment
You will work in a growing engineering-focused office of approximately 30 people, primarily composed of hardware, software, and mechanical engineers. The environment offers a close-knit, family-like culture with a strong sense of collaboration and support. The organization operates within a larger global structure, providing access to broader resources while maintaining the agility and variety of a smaller team. Engineers work on diverse and multifaceted projects, gaining exposure to different applications and technical challenges across the embedded hardware domain. The role is highly hands-on, involving regular use of PCB CAD tools, test bench equipment, and simulation tools, and offers significant opportunities for professional growth, especially for engineers who enjoy exploring new technologies and contributing across the full product lifecycle.
Job Type & Location This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Rockville, MD.
Pay and Benefits The pay range for this position is $57.70 - $62.50/hr.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
Medical, dental & vision
Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
Short and long-term disability
Health Spending Account (HSA)
Transportation benefits
Employee Assistance Program
Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type This is a fully onsite position in Rockville,MD.
Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Jun 15, 2026.
About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.
$57.7-$62.5 per hour Employment Type: CONTRACTOR