Hardware Design Engineer

About the Role

We are seeking a Principal Hardware Design Engineer to serve as a senior technical leader within our client's Space Electronic Systems (SES) division. In this role, you will architect, develop, and guide advanced embedded hardware solutions for next‑generation space and defense applications.

You will own the hardware development lifecycle end‑to‑end—requirements, design, simulation, schematic capture, PCB layout, integration, test, and delivery—while ensuring all systems meet stringent performance, reliability, and radiation‑tolerance standards.

This position is ideal for an engineer who thrives in a hands‑on technical leadership role, enjoys solving complex engineering challenges, and wants to shape the future technology roadmap for critical mission systems

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership & Architecture

• Serve as the subject matter expert for embedded hardware engineering across SES programs.
• Lead full hardware development lifecycle:
  • Requirements analysis & specification
  • High‑speed digital design
  • Mixed‑signal design
  • Signal processing hardware
  • Schematic capture
  • PCB layout (HDI, high‑density routing)
  • PCA development & testing
  • System‑level hardware/software integration
• Conduct formal peer reviews of designs, documentation, and engineering artifacts.

Project & Team Leadership

• Provide technical guidance to hardware engineers, systems teams, PMO, and executive leadership.
• Manage engineering discipline personnel and support resource planning.
• Support program execution during high‑demand or high‑complexity design phases.
• Perform Cost Account Management (CAM) duties for assigned tasks.

Customer & Business Engagement

• Represent the company as a technical SME during customer and vendor interactions.
• Support business development, proposals, and solution shaping.
• Contribute to long‑term technology roadmap development by identifying departmental goals and execution plans.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field
• 9 years of relevant experience (or 7 years with a Master’s degree)
• Strong experience with:
  • Mixed‑signal PCA development
  • High‑density, multi‑layer HDI PCB design
  • High‑speed digital circuits (>1 GHz)
  • FPGA and microprocessor hardware development
  • Hardware description languages (Verilog, VHDL)
• Proficient with test & debug tools: logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, emulators
• Demonstrated experience implementing:
  • PCI, PCIe
  • cPCI
  • VME
  • VPX (VITA 46, VITA 65) standards

Preferred Experience (Nice to Have)

• Experience in space‑grade or radiation‑hardened hardware design
• Background supporting embedded systems in mission‑critical environments
• Experience collaborating with systems engineering, firmware, and software teams
• Prior leadership of multi‑disciplinary engineering efforts

Top Technical Skills

• PCB Design (HDI, multi‑layer, high‑speed)
• High‑Speed Digital Hardware
• Altium Designer
• FPGA, Microcontrollers
• Schematic Capture
• PCB Layout & Routing
• Signal Processing Hardware
• Embedded Electronics Design

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

• Work on cutting‑edge embedded hardware for space and defense applications
• Lead major technology initiatives and shape roadmap direction
• Highly collaborative engineering culture
• Significant technical ownership and SME visibility
• Opportunity to impact multiple high‑priority programs

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Fairfax, VA.

The pay range for this position is $65.00 - $85.00/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)

This is a hybrid position in Fairfax,VA.

This position is anticipated to close on Mar 9, 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 due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

Salary : $65 - $85