Hardware Electronics Design Engineer (PCB)

Actalent; Washington; On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Hardware Electronics Design Engineer (PCB) to lead architecture, design, and prototyping of embedded electronic systems with a focus on PCB/FPC layout, sensors, power, and firmware integration. You will own the hardware lifecycle from concept to production in a collaborative, engineering-driven environment.

The role emphasizes hands-on hardware work in a lab, board bring-up, and close collaboration with mechanical engineering and EMS partners to ensure DFM and ramp to

Qualifications

• Proven experience in electrical and PCB design from concept to production.
• Hands-on electronics design across analog, digital, and mixed-signal circuits.
• Proficiency with ECAD tools such as Altium and Cadence.
• Experience performing circuit simulations using SPICE-based tools.
• Strong hands-on hardware skills: bring-up, debugging, and validation in a lab.
• Ability to design sensor interfaces, analog front ends, and data acquisition systems.
• Experience with multi-layer, high-speed PCB and FPC layouts.
• Knowledge of power management and battery system design.
• Ability to implement and debug interfaces (I2C, SPI, UART, USB, BLE).
• Strong problem-solving and ownership from concept to production.

Responsibilities

• Define system architecture and detailed subsystem specifications for embedded electronic products.
• Evaluate sensors and components to meet performance, cost, and reliability targets.
• Design sensor interfaces and mixed-signal front-ends for data acquisition.
• Develop multi-layer PCB/FPC layouts and high-speed designs.
• Create schematics and ECAD designs using Altium or Cadence.
• Lead board bring-up, power-on, debugging, and hardware validation.
• Develop embedded firmware in C/C++ to support hardware functionality.
• Implement PID and other control algorithms for closed-loop control.
• Integrate communication protocols such as I2C, SPI, UART, USB, BLE.
• Collaborate with mechanical engineering on packaging and stack-up.
• Work with EMS partners on manufacturing support and DFM optimization.

Skills

Electrical & PCB design

Analog & mixed-signal design

Firmware development in C/C++

Debugging & board bring-up

Sensor interfaces (I2C, SPI, UART, USB

Data acquisition systems

Tools

Altium

Cadence

SPICE simulations

Job description

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Hardware Electronics Design Engineer (PCB)

Job Description

This role offers the opportunity to lead the architecture, design, and prototyping of embedded electronic systems with a strong focus on PCB and FPC design, sensor systems, power electronics, and firmware integration. You will own the full hardware lifecycle from initial concept through production-ready designs, working 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 products.
• Evaluate and select new technologies, sensors, and electronic components to meet performance, cost, and reliability targets.
• Design sensor interfaces, analog front-end circuits, and data acquisition systems for mixed-signal applications.
• Design and optimize multi-layer PCB and FPC layouts, including mixed-signal and high-speed designs.
• Develop power management and battery systems to ensure efficient and reliable operation.
• Create detailed schematics and ECAD designs using tools such as Altium or Cadence.
• Perform circuit simulations using SPICE-based tools to validate and optimize designs.
• Lead board bring-up activities, including initial power-on, debugging, and hardware validation.
• Develop embedded firmware in C/C++ to support hardware functionality and system integration.
• Implement and tune control algorithms such as PID and other closed-loop control systems.
• Integrate and validate communication protocols including I2C, SPI, UART, USB, and BLE.
• Develop test automation scripts and execute validation plans to verify design performance and reliability.
• 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 ramp to production.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of design practices, documentation, and lab workflows in an engineering-first culture.

Essential Skills

• Proven experience in electrical and PCB design, including end-to-end board design from concept through 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 (for example PSPICE or similar).
• Strong hands-on hardware skills, including board bring-up, debugging, and validation in a lab environment.
• Ability to design and optimize sensor interfaces, analog front ends, and data acquisition systems.
• Experience designing multi-layer, mixed-signal, and high-speed PCB and FPC layouts.
• Knowledge of power management and battery system design.
• Ability to implement and debug communication interfaces such as I2C, SPI, UART, USB, and BLE.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to take ownership of designs from concept to production.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience developing embedded firmware in C/C++ on platforms such as ARM, RTOS-based systems, or Linux.
• Experience with flexible PCB technologies, including FPC and rigid-flex design and integration.
• Familiarity with implementing control algorithms such as PID and other closed-loop control strategies.
• Experience creating test automation scripts and running validation test plans.
• Comfort collaborating with mechanical engineering teams on packaging, stack-up, and integration constraints.
• Experience working with EMS partners on manufacturing support and design-for-manufacturing (DFM) optimization.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a collaborative, engineering-first team.

Work Environment

You will work primarily in a lab-based environment, spending five days per week on-site in Redmond, WA. The role involves extensive hands-on work with electronic test equipment, prototypes, and production-intent hardware. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional engineering teams in a setting that emphasizes practical problem-solving, ownership of designs from concept through production, and a healthy work-life balance.

We reserve the right to pay above or below the posted wage based on factors unrelated to sex, race, or any other protected classification.

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