Senior Hardware Engineer

Job Title: Hardware Engineer

Job Description

This Hardware Engineer role focuses on developing advanced FPGA-based digital systems and power control firmware within a research and development environment. You will design, simulate, and debug HDL code, build command-line tools to support testing, and collaborate closely with electrical power and controls engineers to deliver robust, high-performance embedded solutions.

Responsibilities

• Write, simulate, and debug HDL code for FPGA designs, ensuring reliable and efficient digital implementations.
• Develop command-line tooling and automation scripts to test and validate FPGA designs.
• Use Matlab and Simulink to model electrical power systems and support control algorithm development.
• Apply both digital hardware and software expertise to optimize overall system architecture and performance.
• Collaborate with electrical power engineers and controls engineers to develop advanced power control firmware.
• Implement and integrate communication protocols such as SPI, I2C, memory buses, ARM AMBA AHB or AXI, CAN, RS485, Ethernet, EtherCAT, USB, and fiber optics where applicable.
• Design and implement digital signal processing (DSP) functions, switching power converter control, and motor control logic in HDL.
• Use lab equipment such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and network analyzers to probe, measure, and debug digital hardware.
• Create and maintain Python-based command-line tools and scripts to support testing workflows and version-controlled development.
• Work within FPGA toolchains, including AMD/Xilinx Vivado, to synthesize, implement, and verify FPGA designs.
• Design and integrate ARM AMBA AXI and AXI-Stream connected modules, managing interfaces and data paths.
• Apply fixed-point mathematics techniques to implement control and signal processing algorithms efficiently in hardware.
• Contribute to digital hardware design, including schematic and PCB development using tools such as Altium Designer.
• Support embedded software integration, including C/C , embedded Linux, and microcontroller (MCU) development where needed.
• Use Git-based version control workflows to manage HDL, scripts, and related project artifacts in a structured and traceable manner.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor of Science degree in engineering or a related technical discipline.
• 5 years of industry experience with embedded systems HDL design.
• Hands-on experience with one or more communication protocols such as SPI, I2C, memory bus, ARM AMBA AHB or AXI, CAN, RS485, Ethernet, EtherCAT, USB, or fiber optics.
• Experience with digital signal processing (DSP) implementations in embedded or FPGA-based systems.
• Experience with switching power converter control and related digital control techniques.
• Experience with motor control implementations using embedded systems or FPGAs.
• Proficiency in Verilog or VHDL for FPGA and digital hardware design.
• Ability to use lab equipment such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and network analyzers to probe and debug digital hardware.
• Experience using Python to create command-line tooling and automated scripts.
• Experience using Git or similar version control systems to manage source code and design files.
• Solid understanding of power systems, power electronics, and digital control concepts.
• Experience working with FPGA technologies and digital design flows.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience using Matlab and Simulink, including HDL Coder, to model power systems and generate HDL code.
• Experience working with AMD/Xilinx Vivado tool suite and FPGAs.
• Experience with fixed-point mathematics for control and signal processing applications.
• Proficiency with both Verilog and VHDL for flexible digital design work.
• Experience designing ARM AMBA AXI and AXI-Stream connected modules.
• Understanding of clock domain management and clock crossing techniques in digital systems.
• Experience with CMake for build configuration and automation.
• Experience with digital hardware design using Altium Designer or similar EDA tools.
• Experience with C/C for embedded software development.
• Experience with embedded Linux and microcontroller (MCU) platforms.
• Familiarity with power electronics and power system modeling.
• Strong collaboration skills and the ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary engineering teams.

This is a Permanent position based out of Milwaukee, WI.

The pay range for this position is $100000.00 - $150000.00/yr.

Full benefits- health, dental, vision, 401K

This is a fully onsite position in Milwaukee,WI.

This position is anticipated to close on May 27, 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 : $100,000 - $150,000