Senior Hardware Engineer

Actalent; Detroit (MI); Hybrid; USD 62,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Hardware Engineer to lead the design and validation of automotive embedded hardware. You will drive requirements analysis, schematic design, IPC/compliance, and collaboration with cross-functional teams to deliver robust hardware solutions.

The role requires experience in automotive hardware, leadership of a small hardware team, and proficiency with Cadence and Codebeamer. Hybrid work in Detroit, MI is offered with emphasis on high-quality, timely delivery.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical or related field is required.
• 5+ years in automotive embedded hardware design preferred.
• Experience leading a small hardware team and guiding design directions.
• Strong background in automotive hardware, CAN/LIN integration, and EMC.
• Proficiency with Cadence, schematic capture, and PCB layout.

Responsibilities

• Lead and review hardware design activities to meet timing and quality targets.
• Analyze requirements and derive hardware design, verification, and validation criteria.
• Collaborate with cross-functional core teams and customers on technical issues.
• Present engineering deliverables in program core team meetings.
• Develop hardware solutions using core part designs while ensuring IPC compliance.
• Apply WCCA, thermal, electrical, EMC analyses to optimize designs.
• Maintain records supporting IP and patent activities.
• Ensure DFX perspectives (DFM, DFA, DFC, DFT, DFR) are embedded.
• Provide technical leadership to a small hardware team.
• Produce high-quality schematics and PCBs meeting EMC and manufacturability needs.
• Support and maintain hardware component libraries for reuse.
• Integrate LIN and CAN into embedded hardware designs.
• Meet OEM testing specs and project launch cycle expectations.
• Support APQP processes and align hardware deliverables with milestones.

Skills

Embedded hardware

Automotive hardware

Leadership

Schematic design

PCB layout

EMC analysis

DFX

APQP

LIN/CAN

Hardware validation

Thermal analysis

Documentation

Cross-functional

Education

Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Cadence tool suite

Codebeamer

PCB layout tools

Simulation tools

Job description

Job Title

Hardware Engineer

Job Description

The Hardware Engineer leads and reviews the design and development of electronic hardware, covering requirements analysis, architecture definition, schematic design, simulation, design for EMC, hardware layout, and validation. This role drives the creation of robust automotive embedded hardware solutions, ensures compliance with industry and regulatory standards, and provides technical leadership to a small hardware team. The engineer collaborates closely with cross-functional core teams and customers to deliver innovative, reliable products that meet performance, quality, and timing targets.

Responsibilities

• Use the ALM tool (Codebeamer) to analyze requirements and derive hardware design, verification, and validation criteria.

• Lead and review engineering activities to design, prototype, and validate electronic hardware solutions in line with customer and internal core team timing requirements.

• Maintain regular communication with internal and external stakeholders on technical issues to ensure clear understanding of needs and reliable delivery of design commitments.

• Actively participate in program core team meetings and present defined engineering deliverables in a proactive and structured manner.

• Develop engineered product solutions that meet customer needs by creatively using core part designs and technologies while ensuring compliance with IPC and other regulatory standards.

• Apply best practices such as Worst Case Circuit Analysis (WCCA), thermal analysis, electrical analysis, EMC simulations, and other standard engineering tools to optimize hardware design.

• Establish and maintain comprehensive records of technical information, process methods and standards, design details, program documentation, and other records that support reliable intellectual property and patent activities.

• Ensure designs are reviewed from a Design for Excellence (DFX) perspective, including Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), Design for Cost (DFC), Design for Testability (DFT), and Design for Reliability (DFR), to meet product targets for quality, cost, and performance.

• Provide technical leadership to a small hardware team by offering direction, guidance, and mentorship in embedded hardware design activities.

• Work with schematic entry and PCB layout design tools to produce high-quality schematics and layouts that meet functional, EMC, and manufacturability requirements.

• Support and maintain hardware component, footprint, and symbol libraries for use in global designs to ensure consistency and reuse across projects.

• Integrate standard automotive communication bus hardware, such as LIN and CAN, into embedded hardware designs.

• Ensure hardware designs meet OEM testing specifications, design requirements, and automotive project launch cycle expectations.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support APQP processes and align hardware deliverables with overall program milestones.

• Complete additional assignments, duties, and projects as needed to support engineering and program objectives.

Essential Skills

• Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or Mechatronics Engineering.

• Preferred 5+ years of experience in an automotive embedded hardware product design role.

• Proven ability to lead a small hardware team by providing technical direction and guidance in embedded hardware design.

• Strong experience in embedded hardware design for automotive applications.

• Hands-on experience with schematic entry and PCB layout design tools and processes; experience with the Cadence tool suite is an asset.

• Proficiency in PCB and schematic design, including layout design and design for EMC.

• Experience performing engineering calculations and analyses, such as Worst Case Circuit Analysis (WCCA) and simulations.

• Experience integrating standard automotive communication bus hardware, including LIN and CAN, into designs.

• Experience working with OEM testing specifications and design requirements.

• Experience with automotive project launch cycles and related development processes.

• Experience managing and maintaining hardware component, footprint, and symbol libraries for global design reuse.

• Knowledge of automotive APQP terminology and processes.

• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to diagnose and resolve complex hardware issues.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills for conveying technical concepts to diverse audiences.

• Knowledge of ISO Functional Safety and ASPICE frameworks is an asset.

• Experience with embedded hardware, automotive systems, PCB design, PCB layout, Linux-based environments, and embedded hardware design workflows.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Familiarity with ALM tools such as Codebeamer for requirements management and traceability.

• Knowledge of IPC standards and other relevant regulatory standards for electronic hardware design and manufacturing.

• Experience applying Design for Excellence (DFX) principles, including DFM, DFA, DFC, DFT, and DFR, in hardware development.

• Exposure to thermal, electrical, and EMC simulation tools and methodologies.

• Experience working with ISO-based functional safety concepts and ASPICE-compliant development processes.

• Experience in automotive environments with understanding of communication protocols and OEM expectations.

• Ability to document technical information, processes, and design decisions thoroughly for future reference and intellectual property protection.

• Strong collaboration skills with cross-functional core teams, including software, systems, manufacturing, and quality.

• Motivation to contribute to innovative products used across automotive, furniture, hydraulic cylinders, flooring, textile, and geo component applications.

• Interest in working within an organization that emphasizes continuous improvement, product reliability, and customer-focused solutions.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Detroit, MI.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $45.00 - $60.00/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 hybrid position in Detroit,MI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 22, 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.