Electrical Engineer

Actalent; Maryland; On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Senior Electrical Engineer to lead design and integration of electrical subsystems for unmanned platforms, including UAVs and USVs. You will own power distribution, avionics integration, control systems, and sensor interfaces to ensure performance, reliability, and manufacturability.

You will mentor engineers, collaborate with mechanical and manufacturing teams, and guide rapid prototyping toward mission-ready architectures in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field.
• 10+ years of experience designing electrical systems for complex platforms, preferably aerospace/defense.
• Proven track record leading design and prototyping from concept to implementation.
• Strong knowledge of power distribution, shielding, antennas, radio links, and sensors.
• Hands-on PCB design and wiring harness experience.
• Experience with total loading and thermal analysis, including battery and generator considerations.
• Ability to specify components (resistors, transistors, wires) and phasing.
• Experience designing starter generators and alternators.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and development of electrical subsystems for UAVs/USVs.
• Contribute to overall electrical system architecture across platforms.
• Prototype electrical components and assemblies, incl. PCBs and harnesses.
• Translate requirements into detailed electrical designs meeting regs.
• Perform loading and thermal analyses for power and thermal management.
• Design circuits for phasing and component specifications.
• Develop starter generators and alternators to meet power needs.
• Mentor junior engineers and promote best practices.

Skills

Power distribution

Thermal analysis

Sensor integration

PCB design

Wiring harness design

System integration

Electrical schematics

Prototyping leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

PCB Layout Software

Electrical design tools

Job description

Job Description

Job Title: Senior Electrical Engineer

Job Description

The Senior Electrical Engineer designs, develops, and integrates advanced electrical systems that support unmanned and autonomous platforms, including aerial and surface vehicles. This role leads the creation of critical electrical subsystems such as power distribution, avionics integration, control systems, and communications hardware, ensuring they meet performance, reliability, manufacturability, and cost objectives. Operating with a high degree of autonomy, the Senior Electrical Engineer collaborates closely with aerospace, mechanical, and manufacturing teams to deliver robust electrical architectures that enable rapid prototyping, scalable production, and mission readiness. This position serves as a technical leader and mentor, helping establish engineering best practices and advancing next‑generation unmanned and autonomous systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of electrical subsystems for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and unmanned surface vehicles (USVs), including power distribution, control systems, communications hardware, and sensor integration.
• Contribute to overall electrical system architecture and integration across multiple vehicle platforms, ensuring cohesive and reliable system performance.
• Design and prototype electrical components and assemblies, including printed circuit boards (PCBs), wiring harnesses, and embedded control systems.
• Translate clean-sheet requirements into detailed electrical designs, including PCB layouts and harness designs that meet system and regulatory requirements.
• Perform total electrical loading analysis, considering battery and generator capacity, to ensure adequate power availability and system stability.
• Design circuits for phasing and determine component specifications such as resistors, transistors, wire types, and other critical elements.
• Design starter generators and alternators, including magnet count, wattage, and current levels, to meet platform power needs.
• Manage sensor power consumption and ensure efficient power allocation across all system components.
• Conduct thermal loading analysis, determine the need for heat sinks or fans, and develop thermal management solutions for electrical systems.
• Develop electrical solutions that can be handed off to drafters for detailed drawings and manufacturing documentation.
• Collaborate closely with mechanical, aerospace, and manufacturing teams to ensure seamless system integration and resolve interdisciplinary design challenges.
• Conduct electrical analysis, simulation, and testing to validate system performance, reliability, and safety under various operating conditions.
• Support rapid prototyping and iterative design cycles to accelerate system development and refine designs based on test results and operational feedback.
• Troubleshoot electrical systems during bench testing, integration activities, and field operations, resolving issues efficiently and effectively.
• Evaluate and select electrical and electronic components to balance performance, cost, availability, and supply chain resilience.
• Support the development of manufacturing processes for electrical systems, including PCB fabrication, electronic assembly, and testing procedures.
• Participate in design reviews, technical planning sessions, and system integration efforts across multiple programs and platforms.
• Mentor junior engineers, providing technical guidance and supporting the development of electrical engineering standards, documentation, and best practices.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in electrical engineering, with a focus on designing electrical systems for complex systems, preferably in the aerospace or defense industry.
• Proven track record of successfully leading design and prototyping projects for electrical systems from concept through implementation.
• Strong understanding of power distribution, system shielding, antennas, radio links, control systems, communication protocols, and sensor integration.
• Hands‑on experience designing PCBs and wiring harnesses, including layout, component selection, and manufacturability considerations.
• Experience performing total loading and thermal analysis, including battery and generator capacity assessments and thermal management solutions.
• Ability to design circuits for phasing and determine detailed component specifications such as resistors, transistors, and wire types.
• Experience designing starter generators and alternators, includ