Electrical Engineer II

TAP Engineering LLC; Columbia (MD); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

401(k) retirement plan with match

Medical coverage

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

TAP Engineering LLC seeks an Electrical Engineer II to design, develop, and integrate advanced electronic hardware for mission-focused programs in Columbia, MD. You will lead full-cycle PCB development from schematics to system integration, working across cross-functional teams to deliver high-reliability hardware.

The role emphasizes mixed-signal design, high-speed circuits, and close collaboration with hardware and firmware teams in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Active Secret security clearance required.
• 7+ years in hardware product development.
• Strong PCB layout and schematic review skills.
• Experience with multi-protocol interfaces and high-speed circuits.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design and develop advanced hardware products.
• Perform full-cycle PCB design from requirements to system integration.
• Drive prototyping, verification, and qualification activities.
• Ensure design for manufacturing and high-reliability standards.
• Lead design reviews and support board bring-up and testing.
• Support firmware bring-up and root-cause analysis on production

Skills

Hardware design

PCB layout

Schematic reading

Interfaces: Ethernet CAN I2C SPI PCIe/

MCUs/CPUs/FPGAs

Communication

Technical leadership

Tools

Altium Designer

Job description

Position Overview

TAP Engineering is seeking an Electrical Engineer II to support the design, development, and integration of advanced electronic hardware systems in a mission-focused environment. This role involves full-cycle PCB development, from requirements capture and schematic design through layout oversight, bring-up, testing, debugging, and system integration. The ideal candidate brings deep experience in mixed-signal hardware design and thrives in a fast-paced environment supporting multiple concurrent programs. This position requires strong technical leadership, sound engineering judgment, and close collaboration with cross-functional teams to deliver high-reliability hardware solutions.

Position Overview

TAP Engineering is seeking an Electrical Engineer II to support the design, development, and integration of advanced electronic hardware systems in a mission-focused environment. This role involves full-cycle PCB development, from requirements capture and schematic design through layout oversight, bring-up, testing, debugging, and system integration. The ideal candidate brings deep experience in mixed-signal hardware design and thrives in a fast-paced environment supporting multiple concurrent programs. This position requires strong technical leadership, sound engineering judgment, and close collaboration with cross-functional teams to deliver high-reliability hardware solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams to design and develop advanced hardware products
• Perform full-cycle PCB design, including requirements definition, schematic capture, component selection, layout supervision or execution, bring-up, test, debug, and system integration
• Drive product maturity through rapid prototyping, design verification, and qualification activities
• Apply modern design standards to ensure high reliability and manufacturability
• Design and integrate high-speed digital, precision analog, RF, and high-power circuits
• Establish and promote internal best practices for design for manufacturing (DFM) and quality fabrication and assembly
• Conduct peer-level and cross-discipline design reviews
• Support low-level firmware development for board bring-up and testing
• Perform root cause analysis to support production and sustainment operations
• Manage multiple priorities across concurrent projects and customer requirements

Required Qualifications

• Active Secret security clearance
• 7+ years of professional experience in hardware product development
• Strong understanding of PCB layout techniques to meet mechanical, electrical, and manufacturing requirements
• Ability to read, interpret, and review schematics using industry best practices
• Familiarity with standard interfaces such as Ethernet, CAN, I2C, SPI, PCIe, USB, and similar protocols
• Experience working with MCUs, CPUs, FPGAs, and related technologies
• Solid foundation in modern analog and digital electronics
• Experience using Altium Designer or equivalent E-CAD tools
• Ability to prioritize work based on high-level direction from leadership
• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively across engineering teams

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting hardware qualification, verification, and production readiness
• Background working on defense or mission-critical hardware programs

Compensation

The anticipated salary range for this position is $120,000 - $170,000 based on relevant experience, qualifications, and other applicable factors. The compensation range provided is a general guideline and is not a guarantee of compensation or salary.

Clearance Requirement

This position requires an active Secret security clearance. Clearance processing and maintenance will be conducted in accordance with U.S. Government requirements.

Benefits Overview

TAP Engineering offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package, including:

• Paid Time Off: 15–25 days annually based on tenure, plus 11 paid holidays (never use-or-lose)
• Retirement: Up to 15% employer contribution to a 401(k) through match and profit sharing
• Medical Coverage: Free medical insurance for employees, with optional buy-up plans for dependents
• Dental & Vision: Employer-paid plans with optional enhancements
• Insurance Coverage: Employer-paid life insurance, AD&D, short-term disability, and long-term disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Healthcare and dependent care FSAs
• Tuition Reimbursement: Up to $36,000 per year for approved coursework
• Additional Benefits: Employee Assistance Program, wellness incentives, discount programs, virtual care, prescription savings, and travel support
• Performance-Based Rewards: Merit increases, performance bonuses, and referral bonuses

Additional Information

TAP Engineering is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.