Job Information
Actalent Hardware Design Engineer in Fairfax, Virginia
Job Title: Hardware Design Engineer
Job Description
The Principal Electrical Engineer serves as a sr. technical leader within the Space Electronic Systems (SES) division, responsible for the architecture, development, and technical oversight of advanced embedded hardware solutions for space and defense applications. This role provides authoritative subject matter expertise across the full hardware development lifecycle—from requirements definition and system architecture through detailed design, integration, verification, qualification, and delivery. The Principal Electrical Engineer ensures that all designs meet stringent performance, reliability, environmental, and radiation-mitigation requirements typical of space and mission-critical defense systems. Acting as both a hands-on technical contributor and strategic leader, this position guides engineering best practices, resolves complex technical challenges, and drives design decisions that balance innovation, risk, cost, and schedule.
Responsibilities
Architect and lead the development of complex embedded hardware systems for space and defense applications.
Provide technical leadership across requirements development, schematic design, PCB layout oversight, integration, test, and qualification.
Ensure designs comply with space-grade performance, reliability, environmental, and radiation tolerance requirements.
Serve as the technical authority for design reviews, trade studies, and risk assessments.
Mentor and guide engineers, establishing engineering standards and best practices.
Collaborate with systems, firmware, mechanical, manufacturing, and quality teams to ensure successful end-to-end delivery.
Support program execution by resolving critical technical issues and providing engineering insight.
Contribute to business development through proposal support, technical evaluations, and customer engagements.
Influence and define the long-term technology roadmap for space electronic systems.
Essential Skills
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or related technical degree.
9+ years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree OR 7+ years with a Master’s degree.
Experience with mixed-signal PCA development, utilizing High Density Interconnect (HDI) PCBs and high-speed (> 1 GHz) components/circuits.
Experience with FPGA and microprocessor development, including hardware descriptor languages (i.e. Verilog, VHDL).
Experience with hardware integration, test, and debug tools such as logic analyzers, scopes, emulators.
Demonstrated experience implementing PCI, PCIe, cPCI, VME, or VPX standards (VITA 46, VITA 65).
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Proficiency in PCB design, high-speed digital design, and schematic capture.
Experience with tools such as Altium for electronics and hardware design.
Work Environment
Opportunity to work in a fast-paced, R&D environment and see through the development of products with 8-12 month lifecycles. Be a part of a medium-sized, flat organization comprised of highly technical-minded engineers solving customer problems.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Fairfax, VA.
Pay and Benefits
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)
Workplace Type
This is a hybrid position in Fairfax,VA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Mar 16, 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 (%20actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com) for other accommodation options.