System Integration Engineer

Actalent; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 143,270,000 - 185,976,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a System Integration Engineer to drive hardware and firmware integration across residential energy storage and solar products. You will own test plans, execute validation, and coordinate firmware releases in a lab environment.

You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure safety, performance, and reliability while providing clear feedback to design owners for continuous improvement. This is a contract-to-hire role in Palo Alto, CA.

Qualifications

• Degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent practical experience.
• Experience in hardware and firmware integration and validation.
• Strong fundamentals in power electronics and embedded interactions.
• Hands-on work with electrical, mechanical and software components.
• Experience with Python, C, C++, Go for test automation and firmware work.
• Proficiency with lab tools: scopes, analyzers, supplies, loads, CAN tools.
• Ability to develop and execute system-level validation test plans.
• Experience in failure analysis and root-cause investigations.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end hardware and firmware integration for residential energy products.
• Develop and execute detailed test plans to validate functions and system performance.
• Lead system-level firmware validation including regression testing and releases.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet safety, performance and compliance needs.
• Provide clear feedback to design owners to drive product improvements.
• Develop and maintain interface control documentation for complex systems.
• Conduct failure analyses and drive resolutions for hardware/firmware issues.
• Develop automated firmware tests in Python to improve coverage and efficiency.
• Hands-on system bring-up, prototyping, and lab integration activities.
• Use oscilloscopes, power analyzers, power supplies, loads, and CAN tools for debugging.

Skills

Electrical Eng

HW-FW Integration

Power Electronics

Embedded Systems

Python

C/C++

Go

Test Automation

Lab Tools

System Bring-up

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelors in EE

Tools

Oscilloscopes

Power Analyzers

Power Supplies

Electronic Loads

CAN Tools

Job description

Job Title: System Integration Engineer - Residential Energy Ecosystem

This role focuses on integrating and validating hardware and firmware across a suite of residential battery and solar energy products that support the transition to sustainable energy. You will work on optimizing energy resources such as batteries, solar systems, electric vehicles, and home appliances to reduce grid reliance and lower energy costs. The position offers the opportunity to own system-level integration, drive firmware validation and releases, and collaborate closely with cross-functional teams in a highly innovative and collaborative environment.

Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end hardware and firmware integration of a residential ecosystem of battery and solar energy products.
• Develop and execute detailed test plans to validate product functions, features, and overall system performance.
• Lead and own system-level firmware validation, including regression testing and coordination of firmware releases.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to ensure functional, performance, safety, and compliance requirements are met.
• Drive continuous improvement in product design and performance by providing clear, actionable feedback to design owners.
• Develop and maintain interface control documentation for complex hardware and firmware systems.
• Conduct failure analysis to identify root causes and drive resolution for hardware and firmware issues discovered in testing and in the field.
• Develop and maintain automated firmware tests using Python to improve test coverage and efficiency.
• Work hands-on with system bring-up, prototyping, and integration in a lab environment.
• Use electrical engineering tools such as oscilloscopes, power analyzers, power supplies, electronic loads, and CAN tools to debug and validate systems.
• Identify and surface issues within complex hardware and software systems using strong analytical problem-solving skills.
• Communicate findings, test results, and recommendations clearly to stakeholders while maintaining high attention to detail.

Essential Skills

• Degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent practical experience.
• Experience in hardware and firmware integration and validation.
• Strong electrical engineering fundamentals, including understanding of power electronics and embedded systems interactions.
• Hands-on experience working with electrical, mechanical, and software components and understanding how they interact in complex products.
• Experience with Python, C, C++, Go, or equivalent programming languages for test automation and firmware-related work.
• Proficiency with basic electrical engineering lab tools such as oscilloscopes, power analyzers, power supplies, electronic loads, and CAN tools.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute test plans for system-level validation.
• Experience conducting failure analysis and root cause investigations in hardware and firmware systems.
• Exceptional analytical problem-solving skills for diagnosing issues in complex hardware and software environments.
• Effective communication skills with excellent attention to detail in documentation and reporting.
• Ability to work hands-on in a lab environment, including system bring-up and prototyping.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with stationary energy storage systems, including battery-based energy storage.
• Experience with solar inverters or solar energy systems.
• Experience with electric vehicles or related powertrain and charging systems.
• Experience with home energy management systems and energy optimization solutions.
• Interest in battery, energy storage, or solar technologies.
• Experience in a lab environment working with battery or energy storage systems, solar equipment, or related hardware.
• Familiarity with mechatronics or computer engineering concepts in addition to electrical engineering.
• Demonstrated initiative in self-directed research about energy storage systems and emerging sustainable energy technologies.
• Experience developing automated tests in Python for firmware or system validation.
• Ability to thrive in a collaborative environment that emphasizes teamwork, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Work Environment

You will work primarily in a lab and office environment focused on residential energy storage and solar technologies. The role involves frequent hands-on work with hardware systems, including system bring-up, prototyping, and testing of battery storage, solar inverters, and related components. You will regularly use electrical engineering tools such as oscilloscopes, power analyzers, power supplies, electronic loads, and CAN tools to validate and debug systems. The team emphasizes close collaboration with cross-functional partners, open communication, and a culture of continuous learning and improvement. The work centers on developing and validating grid-connected storage solutions that integrate batteries, solar, electric vehicles, and home appliances, with a strong focus on safety, performance, and reliability.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Palo Alto, CA.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $50.00 - $65.00/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 Palo Alto,CA. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Sep 30, 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.