Hardware Engineer

Actalent; Rockville (MD); On-site; USD 192,864,000 - 220,416,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) retirement plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Hardware Engineer in Rockville, MD to design and verify rugged handheld electronic systems from concept to production. You will work on analog/digital circuit design, embedded architecture, and FPGA/CPLD logic using PCB CAD tools.

You will collaborate with mechanical, software, and systems teams, create verification plans, and contribute to design documentation throughout the project lifecycle. A strong background in high-speed PCB design and ITAR eligibility is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering or related field.
• 8+ years of electronic circuit design experience.
• Strong analog and digital circuit design knowledge.
• Hands-on microprocessor-based high-speed PCB design.
• Proficiency with PCB CAD tools for schematic capture and collaboration.
• Ability to perform timing and signal integrity simulations.
• Experience with FPGA/CPLD design using vendor tools.
• Good communication and ITAR eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Design, verify, and document rugged handheld systems from concept through production.
• Translate requirements into hardware solutions with test and verification plans.
• Use PCB CAD tools to capture schematics and ensure manufacturability.
• Perform timing and SI simulations for high-speed designs.
• Create net rules and coordinate with layout engineers for PCB fabrication files.
• Design and simulate digital logic for FPGA/CPLD.
• Evaluate components to meet performance, reliability, and cost targets.
• Test and validate hardware including bench testing and debugging.
• Participate in production testing, EMC and MILSpec certification processes.
• Interface with mechanical, software, systems, supply chain, and sales teams.
• Maintain design documentation throughout the lifecycle.

Skills

8+ years experience in electronic

Analog & digital circuit design

Embedded system architecture

PCB CAD schematic capture

Timing & SI simulations

FPGA/CPLD design

Verilog/VHDL basics

ITAR eligibility

Education

Bachelors in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Xpedition

Altium

Keysight ADS

FPGA development tools

Job description

Job Title: Hardware Engineer

The Hardware Engineer designs, verifies, and documents rugged handheld electronic systems and components from concept through production. This role focuses on analog and digital circuit design, embedded system architecture, schematic capture using PCB CAD tools, and FPGA/CPLD logic design, while providing broad exposure to all phases of the hardware design cycle. The position offers the opportunity to work on diverse and technically challenging embedded electronics projects within a closeknit engineering team and a growing organization.

Responsibilities

• Design, verify, and document rugged handheld electronic systems and components from initial concept through production release.

• Capture and analyze customer requirements and translate them into robust hardware solutions, including detailed test and verification plans to meet customer specifications.

• Use PCB CAD tools to perform schematic capture and ensure accurate and manufacturable designs.

• Perform timing and signal integrity simulations to validate highspeed and complex electronic designs.

• Create net rules and routing constraints and collaborate closely with placement and layout engineers to generate complete PCB fabrication files.

• Design and simulate digital logic for programmable logic devices (FPGA and CPLD) using vendorsupplied development and simulation tools.

• Evaluate, select, and create models for electronic components to ensure they meet performance, reliability, and cost requirements for each project.

• Test and validate developed hardware, including bench testing, debugging, and design verification activities.

• Participate in production testing, safety compliance, EMC testing, and MILSpec certification processes.

• Interface with multidisciplinary teams, including mechanical, software, systems, supply chain, and sales, to manage electronic design tradeoffs and manufacturing considerations.

• Prepare and maintain clear design documentation, including schematics, test reports, and verification records throughout the project lifecycle.

• Contribute to continuous improvement of design methods, tools, and best practices in embedded electronics.

Essential Skills

• Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering or a closely related technical field.

• 8+ years of experience in electronic circuit design, including analog and digital hardware.

• Strong working knowledge of analog and digital circuit design and embedded system architecture.

• Handson experience with microprocessorbased highspeed PCB design.

• Proficiency with PCB CAD tools for schematic capture and collaboration with layout engineers.

• Ability to perform timing and signal integrity simulations for complex designs.

• Experience with FPGA and CPLD logic design using vendor development tools.

• Familiarity with a variety of electronic test bench equipment for hardware validation and troubleshooting.

• Strong and effective verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.

• Eligibility to work on ITARregulated projects (US person status).

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with microcontrollers and microprocessors in embedded hardware designs.

• Familiarity with Xpedition and Altium PCB CAD tools.

• Experience with Keysight ADS or similar simulation tools.

• Experience with FPGA development tools and hardware description languages such as Verilog or VHDL.

• Experience in ARMbased microprocessor and microcontroller hardware designs.

• Experience in design verification, hardware testing, and preparation of technical documentation.

• Eagerness to learn and apply new technologies in embedded electronics and rugged handheld systems.

• Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary project teams and manage design tradeoffs across hardware, software, mechanical, and systems domains.

Work Environment

The role is based in a local office of roughly 30 engineering professionals, primarily focused on hardware, software, and mechanical design. The environment combines the resources of a global organization with the family feel of a closeknit, growing team. Engineers work on diverse, multifaceted projects and are involved in all aspects of the design cycle rather than being limited to a single task, providing strong opportunities for professional growth and exposure to different applications and challenges. The work involves daily use of PCB CAD tools, simulation environments, FPGA development tools, and a full range of electronic test bench equipment within a collaborative, projectdriven setting.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Rockville, MD.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $140000.00 - $160000.00/hr.

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.

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 specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Rockville,MD.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 16, 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.