Staff Hardware Engineer

Actalent; Sheboygan (WI); Hybrid; USD 99,000 - 126,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent in Sheboygan, WI is seeking a Staff Hardware Engineer to develop, test, and optimize PCB solutions for residential and power products, focusing on analog, digital, RF, and mixed-signal designs in a cloud-connected IoT environment.

You will collaborate with hardware, software, and product teams, lead validation tests, support compliance activities, and mentor junior engineers while working in a hybrid lab setting three days per week.

Qualifications

• BS in Electrical Engineering required.
• 6+ years of electrical engineering or hardware development experience.
• Hands-on experience with circuit capture and PCB design tools (e.g., OrCAD).
• Experience with wireless systems (BLE, WiFi, ISM, LTE).
• Familiarity with PCB modeling/simulation (e.g., PSpice).
• Working knowledge of MCUs/MPUs, memory, ADCs, and common comms tech.
• Ability to define and execute hardware validation test plans.

Responsibilities

• Lead portions of new product development from concept validation through design for manufacturing for analog, digital, RF, and mixed-signal designs.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define hardware requirements and system architecture.
• Plan and execute hardware validation tests for functionality, environmental, and lifecycle performance.
• Support product safety, EMC, and environmental compliance activities.
• Provide hands-on hardware troubleshooting during development, testing, and sustaining activities.
• Document designs and implementation details for compliance and future reference.
• Mentor junior engineers in hardware design practices and tools.

Skills

PCB design & layout

OrCAD

Wireless systems (BLE/WiFi/ISM/LTE)

PSpice modeling

Embedded C/C++

EMC/EMI testing

Hardware validation planning

Lab troubleshooting

System architecture definition

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering

Master's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

OrCAD Capture

PSpice

Job description

Job Title: Staff Hardware Engineer

The Staff Hardware Engineer will play a key role in developing, testing, and optimizing printed circuit board (PCB) solutions for residential and power products. This position focuses on analog, digital, RF, and mixed-signal circuit design, working closely with hardware, software, and product teams to deliver reliable, high-performing electrical solutions. The role combines new product development, sustaining engineering, compliance, and hands‑on lab work in a cloud-connected IoT environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead portions of new product development from concept validation through design for manufacturing for analog, digital, RF, and mixed‑signal electronic circuit designs used in residential power systems.
• Contribute to sustaining engineering efforts for the existing product line, ensuring ongoing reliability, performance, and product improvements.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to define electrical hardware requirements, specifications, and overall system architecture.
• Define, plan, and execute hardware functional, environmental, and lifecycle validation tests to confirm product reliability and performance.
• Support product safety, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), and environmental compliance activities for residential and power products.
• Participate in electrical hardware design reviews and contribute to continuous improvement of products, design standards, and development processes.
• Provide hands‑on support for hardware troubleshooting during product development, testing, and sustaining activities.
• Document electrical system designs, architectures, and implementation details in a clear and organized manner for future reference and compliance needs.
• Use standard electronics laboratory equipment, including oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, and digital multimeters (DMM), to analyze, debug, and verify the proper operation of electronic circuits and systems.
• Occasionally design and develop custom electrical equipment to support specialized features, functions, or test requirements.
• Collaborate in developing electrical hardware development tasks, project timelines, and budgets, contributing to effective project planning and execution.
• Mentor less experienced team members in electrical engineering design practices, tools, and methodologies.
• Work on compliance‑oriented sensing and design activities, including sustaining responsibilities related to regulatory and standards adherence.
• Interface with engines and motor drivers as part of power and control system designs.
• Work primarily at the integrated circuit (IC) level, focusing on component‑level design, selection, and integration within PCB solutions.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering is required; a Masters degree in Electrical Engineering is preferred.
• At least 6 years of work experience in electrical engineering or hardware development
• Proven experience collaborating with or leading technical teams in the development of electrical hardware.
• Hands‑on experience with circuit capture and PCB design tools, such as OrCAD.
• Experience with wireless systems, ideally including BLE, WiFi, ISM band technologies, and LTE.
• Experience with electronic circuit board modeling and simulation techniques, such as PSpice.
• Working knowledge of microcontrollers, microprocessors, memory devices, analog‑to‑digital converters (ADC), and common communication technologies.
• Strong motivation with the ability to collaborate effectively in a team setting and work independently to achieve technical and project goals.
• Ability to define and execute hardware validation test plans for functional, environmental, and lifecycle performance.
• Proficiency using standard electronics lab tools such as oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, and digital multimeters for analysis and debugging.
• Experience in PCB design and circuit board modeling for power systems and UL‑related products.
• Understanding of electronics and wireless technologies relevant to residential and power systems applications.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience designing hardware for high‑volume manufacturing, including design for manufacturability and end‑of‑line test systems.
• Experience with compliance for collocated radio designs and working with regulatory agencies such as FCC and IC, as well as protocol‑specific certifications and international compliance specifications.
• Experience working with control systems used in power systems applications.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.
• Experience contributing to C/C++ software for embedded systems during board bring‑up and hardware‑related testing.
• Exposure to RF concepts and RF system design, even if not at an expert level.
• Experience with module integration and designing hardware for regulatory and safety compliance.
• Familiarity with UL certification and design standards for electrical and electronic products.
• Awareness of EMI/EMC testing requirements and their impact on hardware design.
• Exposure to PCB layout practices and collaboration with layout engineers.
• Experience in compliance‑focused sensing design work with sustaining responsibilities tied to regulatory and standards maintenance.
• Experience interfacing with engines and motor drivers in power or control systems.
• Strong engineering with the ability to work effectively in both sustaining engineering and new product development (NPD) environments.

Work Environment

This role operates within a cloud‑connected IoT environment, supporting both sustaining engineering and new product development for residential and power products. The position typically involves working onsite in a lab environment about three days per week, with some flexibility in the schedule. The lab setting includes regular use of electronic test and measurement equipment such as oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, and digital multimeters, and frequent hands‑on work with PCBs, integrated circuits, and power system hardware. The work environment emphasizes a strong engineering culture, collaboration across hardware, software, and product teams, and continuous improvement of processes and designs

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Sheboygan, WI.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $98900.00 - $125600.00/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.

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in Sheboygan,WI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 20, 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.