Hardware Design Engineer

Job Title: Hardware Design Engineer

Job Description

The Hardware Design Engineer designs and develops advanced electronic circuits and assemblies for display systems and electronic controls, taking products from initial concept through to production release. This role focuses on robust, high-speed hardware design for demanding automotive and off-highway environments and offers a mostly remote work arrangement, with limited on-site collaboration as needed for critical project activities and hardware debugging.

Responsibilities

• Lead and collaborate with cross-functional development teams to drive products from requirements definition through system architecture, detailed design, integration, validation, and production release.
• Own the full hardware product development lifecycle, designing hardware and circuits from concept phase through to production, rather than only modifying or tweaking existing designs.
• Design and develop robust, reliable electronic circuits and assemblies for harsh automotive and off-highway environments, including power distribution, sensor interfaces, and control modules.
• Design complex, high-density printed circuit boards (PCBs) with 12 or more layers, and support future designs up to 14 or 18 layers.
• Work with high-speed electronics and signals in the MHz and GHz ranges, ensuring signal integrity, power integrity, and reliable performance.
• Ensure that all designs meet applicable EMI/EMC, functional safety, and environmental standards, including standards such as ISO 7637 and CISPR 25, and other relevant ISO-based requirements.
• Collaborate closely with other engineering disciplines to integrate hardware designs into complete systems, resolving technical issues and optimizing performance.
• Support hardware debugging, testing, and validation activities, including troubleshooting complex circuit behavior and implementing design improvements.
• Prepare and maintain design documentation, including schematics, layout guidance, design reviews, and release packages for production.

Essential Skills

• At least 5 years of electrical engineering experience focused on product development.
• At least 5 years of high-speed electronic design experience working with MHz and/or GHz signals.
• Proven experience designing complex multilayer circuit boards with at least 12 layers.
• Strong hardware design skills, including schematic capture and PCB design for high-speed applications.
• Demonstrated ability to take hardware products from concept through detailed design, validation, and production release.
• Experience designing electronic circuits and assemblies for harsh or demanding environments, such as automotive or off-highway applications.
• Knowledge of EMI/EMC, functional safety, and environmental compliance requirements, including standards such as ISO 7637 and CISPR 25.
• Ability to debug and troubleshoot complex hardware issues using appropriate tools and methods.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills for working with cross-functional development teams.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience designing power distribution circuits, sensor interfaces, and control modules.
• Experience working with high-density, complex PCB layouts beyond 4 layers.
• Familiarity with ISO-based standards relevant to automotive and off-highway electronic systems.
• Experience in full lifecycle product development for embedded or control-oriented electronic systems.
• Ability to work independently in a mostly remote environment while maintaining strong alignment with on-site teams.

Work Environment

This role operates in a mostly remote work environment, with an expectation of on-site presence during the first week of the project and up to approximately three days per month in the Milwaukee area for collaboration, hardware bring-up, and debugging activities. Work involves the use of standard electronic design tools for schematic capture and PCB layout, as well as test and measurement equipment such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and other hardware debugging tools. The engineering environment focuses on advanced, high-speed, multilayer circuit board design for automotive and off-highway applications, with an emphasis on meeting stringent EMI/EMC, safety, and environmental standards. On-site visits typically occur in an office and lab setting that supports hands-on hardware testing and validation, while remote work allows for concentrated design and documentation tasks in a professional home office setup.

This is a Contract position based out of Hartford, WI.

The pay range for this position is $65.00 - $80.00/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 Hartford,WI.

This position is anticipated to close on May 29, 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.

Salary : $65 - $80