Overview
We are seeking an Electrical Hardware & Test Engineer to design and develop manufacturing test fixtures and validation systems. This role owns the end-to-end hardware bring-up process, combining schematic design, PCBA development, hands-on debugging, automated test development, and support of manufacturing and contract manufacturers.
This position is ideal for an engineer who enjoys hands-on hardware, working close to production, and solving real-world electrical and manufacturing challenges.
Key Responsibilities
Design and develop electrical schematics and PCB assemblies (PCBAs) for manufacturing test fixtures and validation systems
Own end-to-end hardware bring-up, including:
Component selection
Layout reviews
Soldering and rework
Board-level debugging
Deployment into production environments
Build and integrate test fixtures, including:
Power distribution
Relays and multiplexers
Signal conditioning
Measurement and data-acquisition systems
Develop and maintain automated test software, preferably in Python, for instrument control and test execution
Perform detailed electrical debugging at the board and system level using:
Oscilloscopes
Logic analyzers
Digital multimeters
Power analyzers and electronic loads
Support manufacturing deployment, including:
Troubleshooting production issues at contract manufacturer sites
Improving yield
Resolving test and production failures
Analyze test data and failure trends to drive root-cause analysis, design improvements, and enhanced test coverage
Collaborate with design, quality, test, and manufacturing teams to ensure solutions meet product and production requirements
Create and maintain design documentation, test procedures, and troubleshooting guides
Provide ongoing support for production lines and future design iterations
Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related technical discipline
4-7 years of hands-on experience in hardware design, test engineering, or manufacturing test systems
Strong experience with schematic design and PCBA development using Altium Designer or equivalent EDA tools
Proven experience with board bring-up, including soldering, rework, and component-level debugging
Solid understanding of analog and digital circuit design, including:
AC/DC power circuits
Signal integrity
Noise and grounding considerations
Hands-on experience with electrical test instrumentation
Experience designing and building test fixtures using relays, multiplexers, interface boards, and data acquisition systems
Proficiency in Python or a similar scripting language for automation and instrument control
Experience supporting manufacturing environments and working with contract manufacturers
Familiarity with common communication protocols:
CAN
UART
SPI
I2C
Ethernet
Strong analytical skills for evaluating test data and diagnosing failures
Preferred / Nice-to-Have Skills
Experience with PCB layout from concept through production release
Background in electronics test methods, validation, and manufacturing test best practices
Familiarity with data logging, databases, or test-result management systems
Experience with embedded systems, sensors, or motor-control applications
Strong circuit design skills across power, protection, and mixed-signal domains
Effective written and verbal communication skills for cross-functional collaboration
Why Join
Hands-on ownership of real production hardware
Exposure to full lifecycle: design test manufacturing
Opportunity to improve product quality and manufacturing efficiency
Collaborative engineering culture with real technical depth
Direct impact on product reliability and scalability
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Wilmington, MA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $50.00 - $58.00/hr.
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 Wilmington,MA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on May 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 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.
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 actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com 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.
