Hardware Electronics Design Engineer (PCB)

Actalent; Kirkland (WA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation days

Sick days

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Annual company trip

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Hardware Electronics Design Engineer (PCB) to lead architecture, design, and prototyping of embedded electronic systems from concept through production-ready hardware.

You will own designs end-to-end, work closely with mechanical and EMS partners, and drive PCB/FPC layouts, power systems, and sensor interfaces in a lab-based, on-site role in Redmond, WA.

Qualifications

• End-to-end board design ownership from concept to production.
• Hands-on analog, digital and mixed-signal circuit design experience.
• Proficiency with ECAD tools for schematic capture and PCB layout.
• Experience with SPICE-based simulations (PSPICE).
• Hardware bring-up, debugging and validation in a lab.
• Sensor interfaces, analog front-end design and data acquisition.

Responsibilities

• Define system architecture and detailed subsystem specs for embedded electronics.
• Evaluate components to improve performance, reliability and cost.
• Design sensor interfaces and data acquisition for mixed-signal apps.
• Layout multi-layer PCBs and FPCs for high-speed designs.
• Develop power management and battery systems to meet specs.
• Create schematics using Altium or Cadence.
• Develop embedded firmware in C/C++ for hardware bring-up.
• Implement control algorithms including PID.
• Integrate I2C, SPI, UART, USB and BLE protocols.
• Develop test automation scripts and hardware validation.
• Collaborate with mechanical eng for packaging and integration.
• Work with EMS partners on manufacturing and DFM optimization.

Skills

End-to-end board design

Analog/digital/mixed-signal design

ECAD using Altium

ECAD using Cadence

SPICE-based simulations

Embedded firmware in C/C++

Control systems (PID)

I2C/SPI/UART/USB/BLE interfaces

Power management & battery design

FPC/rigid-flex PCB design

Hardware bring-up and debugging

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

Altium

Cadence

PSPICE

Job description

Job Title: Hardware Electronics Design Engineer (PCB)

Job Description

This role is for an experienced Hardware Electronics Design Engineer (PCB) who will lead the architecture, design, and prototyping of embedded electronic systems from concept through production-ready hardware. The position emphasizes electronics design and ECAD, with a strong focus on PCB and FPC design, sensor systems, power electronics, and close integration with embedded firmware. You will own designs end-to-end and contribute in a collaborative, engineering-first environment that values hands-on impact and work-life balance.

Responsibilities

• Define system architecture and detailed subsystem specifications for embedded electronic systems.
• Evaluate new technologies and electronic components to improve performance, reliability, and cost.
• Design sensor interfaces, analog front-end circuits, and data acquisition systems for mixed-signal applications.
• Design and optimize multi-layer PCB and FPC layouts for mixed-signal and high-speed circuits.
• Develop power management and battery systems to meet performance, efficiency, and safety requirements.
• Create schematics and ECAD designs using professional tools such as Altium or Cadence.
• Develop embedded firmware in C/C++ to support hardware bring-up, control, and integration.
• Implement control algorithms, including PID and other closed-loop control systems.
• Integrate and validate communication protocols such as I2C, SPI, UART, USB, and BLE.
• Develop test automation scripts and perform hardware validation and verification activities.
• Collaborate closely with mechanical engineering teams on FPC integration, stack-up, and packaging constraints.
• Work with electronics manufacturing services (EMS) partners to support manufacturing, DFM optimization, and production ramp-up.
• Perform board bring-up, debugging, and troubleshooting of hardware issues in the lab.

Essential Skills

• Proven experience in electrical and PCB design with end-to-end ownership of board design from concept to production.
• Hands-on electronics design experience across analog, digital, and mixed-signal circuit design.
• Proficiency with ECAD tools such as Altium and Cadence for schematic capture and PCB layout.
• Experience performing circuit simulations using SPICE-based tools such as PSPICE or similar.
• Hands-on hardware skills including board bring-up, debugging, and validation in a lab environment.
• Strong understanding of sensor interfaces, analog front-end design, and data acquisition systems.
• Ability to design and optimize multi-layer PCB and FPC layouts for mixed-signal and high-speed designs.
• Knowledge of power management and battery system design.
• Familiarity with integrating standard communication protocols including I2C, SPI, UART, USB, and BLE.
• Ability to develop and execute validation and test procedures for electronic hardware.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience developing embedded firmware in C/C++ for platforms such as ARM, including RTOS or Linux-based systems.
• Experience with flexible PCB technologies, including FPC and rigid-flex designs.
• Familiarity with implementing control algorithms such as PID and closed-loop control systems.
• Experience creating test automation scripts for hardware validation.
• Comfort working closely with mechanical engineering teams on packaging, stack-up, and integration constraints.
• Experience collaborating with EMS partners on manufacturing, test, and DFM optimization.
• Interest in owning hardware products from concept through production in an engineering-first culture.

Work Environment

This role is based in a lab-focused environment with hands-on work on electronic hardware and prototypes. The position requires working on-site five days a week in Redmond, WA, collaborating closely with cross-functional engineering teams. You will regularly use ECAD tools such as Altium and Cadence, SPICE-based simulation tools, and standard lab equipment for board bring-up, debugging, and validation. The culture emphasizes an engineering-first mindset, collaboration, and a balanced approach to work and personal life, with opportunities to design and own real-world hardware from concept to production.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Redmond, WA.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $180000.00 - $200000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

17 vacation days per year 5 sick days per year medical, dental, vision The company does an annual trip that is similar to our contest trip except the company doesn't cover significant others. However, the employee can fly their significant other in prior to the strip starting or after the trip concludes to extend their stay. They also have a chance to earn a "bonus" based on what they bill to the client

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Redmond,WA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 4, 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 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

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 [e-mail] 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.