Electrical Engineer

Openwork, formerly Meador Staffing Services; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Openwork is seeking an experienced Electrical Engineer III in the Houston area to own complex PCB designs from concept through prototype validation. The role focuses on ruggedized hardware for demanding environments, requiring hands-on development and a strong collaboration with senior engineers and cross-functional teams.

The ideal candidate has 7–10 years of hands-on experience in PCB design, schematic capture, and hardware troubleshooting, with a background in aerospace or defense

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from an accredited institution.
• 7–10 years of hands-on electrical engineering experience in aerospace/defense hardware environments.
• Demonstrated PCB design, schematic capture, and PCB troubleshooting experience.
• Experience with analog, digital, and power electronics.
• Familiarity with PCB layout requirements and signal integrity.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop complex PCB assemblies (PCBA) including digital, analog, and power electronics.
• Create detailed schematics using industry-standard CAD tools.
• Lead prototype bring-up, hardware integration, and lab testing.
• Troubleshoot advanced electrical issues at component, circuit, and subsystem levels.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams and contribute to design reviews.
• Document design specifications, tests, and procedures.

Skills

PCB design

Schematic capture

Oscilloscopes

Troubleshooting

Cross-functional collaboration

Electrical engineering

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

CAD design tools

Oscilloscopes

Spectrum analyzers

Job description

We are sourcing for a role for on of our established clients for:

JOB TITLE: ELECTRICAL ENGINEER III

SALARY: $120 TO $150K

LOCATION: SOUTHEAST HOUSTON

Aerospace & Defense | Electronic Hardware Design | PCB Development

Position Overview

We are sourcing for our client for an experienced, hands‑on Electrical Engineer III with 7-10 years of electrical hardware design experience, preferably within the aerospace or defense industry.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in printed circuit board (PCB) design, schematic development, prototype board bring‑up, and troubleshooting complex electronic systems.

This position offers the opportunity to contribute to advanced aerospace technologies, designing ruggedized electronic hardware capable of performing in demanding environments. The successful candidate will work collaboratively with senior engineers, PCB layout specialists, and cross‑functional teams while taking ownership of complex hardware designs from initial concept through testing and validation.

Key Responsibilities

Electrical Design & PCB Development

• Design and develop complex printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs), including digital, analog, and power electronics.
• Create detailed electrical schematics using industry‑standard CAD design tools.
• Participate in component selection, circuit analysis, and hardware architecture decisions.
• Collaborate with PCB layout engineers on routing, stack‑up, impedance control, grounding, and signal integrity.

Hardware Development & Testing

• Lead or support prototype board bring‑up, hardware integration, and laboratory testing.
• Troubleshoot complex electrical issues at the component, circuit, and subsystem levels.
• Utilize oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, and other laboratory equipment to validate hardware performance.
• Perform hardware modifications and implement corrective design improvements.
• Design electronic hardware capable of operating in extreme temperatures, vibration, shock, and electromagnetic interference environments.
• Evaluate component reliability, derating requirements, and worst‑case circuit performance.
• Identify potential design risks and collaborate with engineering teams to develop solutions.

Engineering Collaboration & Documentation

• Partner with electrical, mechanical, manufacturing, and systems engineering teams.
• Participate in technical design reviews and contribute to engineering decisions.
• Develop design specifications, engineering drawings, test procedures, and supporting documentation.
• Communicate technical challenges, recommendations, and project progress effectively.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from an accredited institution.
• 7-10 years of hands‑on electrical engineering experience, preferably in aerospace, defense, or similarly demanding hardware environments.
• Demonstrated experience designing and testing complex printed circuit board assemblies.
• Strong proficiency in electrical schematic capture and circuit design.
• Experience with analog, digital, and power electronics.
• Proven ability to perform prototype board bring‑up and hands‑on hardware troubleshooting.
• Experience using oscilloscopes and other electrical laboratory test equipment.
• Understanding of PCB layout requirements, signal integrity, grounding, and component selection.
• Ability to work collaboratively with engineering teams and take ownership of complex technical assignments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in Electrical Engineering.
• Experience developing ruggedized electronics for aerospace or defense applications.
• Familiarity with environmental reliability requirements involving temperature extremes, shock, vibration, and EMI/EMC.
• Experience performing component derating and worst‑case circuit analysis.
• Background supporting electronic hardware development from initial design through prototype validation.

Candidate Experience:

Complex PCB Design & Hands‑On Development

Experience with owning a complex PCB design from initial concept through prototype development and laboratory bring‑up.

Ruggedized Hardware & Reliability Challenges

Experience with developing electronic hardware designed to operate in harsh or rugged environments, such as aerospace, defense, or industrial applications.

Engineering Collaboration & Design Reviews

Experience with the design which often involves constructive debate, technical challenges, and feedback from other team members.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a hands‑on electrical hardware engineer rather than someone whose experience has been primarily in systems engineering, software development, or project oversight.

We are particularly interested in individuals who have personally designed electronic circuits, developed PCB assemblies, performed laboratory bring‑up, and resolved challenging hardware issues.

Equally important is the ability to collaborate effectively, accept constructive feedback, communicate technical recommendations, and demonstrate accountability throughout the engineering development process.