Job Title: Electrical Engineer - Spaceflight Hardware Design
Job Description
This role focuses on the end-to-end hardware design of software-defined radio (SDR) systems for spaceflight electronics. You will design and analyze complex electrical circuits, perform simulations and reliability assessments, and support testing and integration activities. You will work on power, analog, high-speed digital, and RF/microwave circuits that directly contribute to multiple spaceflight programs.
Responsibilities
Design and develop electrical circuits for spaceflight hardware, including power, analog, high-speed digital, and RF/microwave subsystems.
Support the full lifecycle of SDR-based spaceflight electronics, from concept and design through integration and test.
Create and maintain detailed hardware designs and schematics using industry-standard electronic design tools.
Run time-domain and frequency-domain simulations to validate and optimize circuit performance and signal integrity.
Conduct reliability analysis to ensure hardware meets the stringent requirements of spaceflight environments.
Analyze existing hardware designs to identify improvements, resolve issues, and enhance performance and robustness.
Collaborate closely with other engineers to support hardware testing, troubleshooting, and system-level integration.
Use laboratory equipment such as oscilloscopes and related test instruments to verify and validate hardware functionality.
Document design decisions, analysis results, and test outcomes to support traceability and future design iterations.
Essential Skills
Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, RF/Microwave Engineering, Power Engineering, or a closely related field.
Minimum of 3 years of experience designing spaceflight hardware.
Hands-on experience with hardware design for power, analog, high-speed digital, and RF/microwave circuits.
Proficiency with electronic design tools such as Altium or similar PCB design software.
Ability to perform detailed circuit analysis and design for complex hardware systems.
Experience using laboratory test equipment, including oscilloscopes, for hardware validation and troubleshooting.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Experience with time-domain and frequency-domain simulations using tools such as LTspice, SIwave, HFSS, or similar platforms.
Experience in RF design and high-speed digital design for demanding environments such as spaceflight.
Familiarity with analysis and reliability assessment techniques for mission-critical electronics.
Interest in contributing to the development of multiple spaceflight programs in a growing engineering team.
Work Environment
You will join a growing engineering team based in Southern California that is focused on spaceflight hardware development. The current team consists of experienced engineers with strong space industry backgrounds and is expected to expand significantly in the coming months. The environment emphasizes collaboration, technical excellence, and hands-on work with advanced electronic design and test tools. You will have the opportunity to work closely with colleagues on challenging SDR and spaceflight projects, using modern design software, simulation tools, and lab equipment in a professional engineering setting.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Whittier, CA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $70.00 - $90.00/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 hybrid position in Whittier,CA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Jun 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.
