Electrical/Electronics Engineer
Job Description
The Electrical/Electronics Engineer supports a wide range of spacecraft electronics projects and participates in every stage of the product lifecycle, from requirements development and preliminary design through critical design, prototyping, testing, and production. In this role, you tackle challenging technical problems, drive new feature designs, improve product performance, and contribute to the regular delivery of space-bound hardware. You gain increasing autonomy and ownership over time, with clear and varied opportunities for career growth in a fast-paced, high-reliability engineering environment.
Responsibilities
Lead and support the full product lifecycle, including requirements development, preliminary design, critical design, prototyping, testing, and transition to production for spacecraft electronics.
Own and execute PCB and electronic circuit design activities, ensuring robust performance, reliability, and manufacturability.
Perform design assurance activities and follow through with documentation and analysis, including worst-case circuit analysis, component stress analysis, failure mode analysis, reliability analysis, and related technical reports.
Design, analyze, and debug analog, digital, and power electronics circuits for high-reliability applications.
Develop schematics and PCB layouts using industry-standard tools such as Cadence or Altium, and oversee designs through fabrication and assembly.
Conduct hardware testing and debugging using oscilloscopes, programmable power supplies, programmable loads, data acquisition systems, and related laboratory equipment.
Design test equipment and develop automated test scripts using tools such as MATLAB, C/C++, or Python to validate hardware performance and support production testing.
Prepare clear, effective engineering documentation, including drawings, procedures, specifications, product datasheets, application notes, slide presentations, and technical reports.
Collaborate closely with a multidisciplinary engineering team, program leadership, and manufacturing technicians to deliver high-quality, space-ready hardware on aggressive schedules.
Support supplier-related activities such as parts procurement, PCB fabrication coordination, and assembly services to ensure timely and reliable delivery of hardware.
Contribute to design for manufacturing and design for testing efforts to streamline production and improve product quality.
Participate in and support environmental testing activities, such as thermal, vacuum, and EMI/EMC testing, to qualify hardware for operation in harsh environments.
Help maintain and improve quality management practices in alignment with standards such as ISO-9001 and AS9100.
Continuously seek opportunities to enhance product performance, reduce risk, and innovate new features and capabilities for next-generation spacecraft electronics.
Essential Skills
5+ years of electrical or electronics engineering experience in a related regulated industry, such as aerospace or power electronics.
3+ years of experience with the design and debug of analog, digital, or power electronics, including hands-on circuit development and troubleshooting.
Proficiency in schematic capture and PCB design using Cadence or Altium tools.
Strong circuit analysis skills, including worst-case circuit analysis (WCCA), component stress analysis, failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA/FMECA), reliability analysis, radiation effects analysis, circuit simulation, and spreadsheet-based analysis.
Hands-on experience with hardware testing and debugging using oscilloscopes, programmable power supplies, programmable loads, data acquisition systems, and similar laboratory equipment.
Experience designing test equipment and developing automated test scripts using MATLAB, C/C++, or Python.
Proven ability to create and maintain effective engineering documentation, including drawings, procedures, specifications, product datasheets, application notes, slide presentations, and technical reports.
Demonstrated collaboration skills working with multidisciplinary engineering teams, program stakeholders, and manufacturing technicians.
Competency with standard office productivity tools such as word processing and spreadsheet applications.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Experience in power electronics design and development, particularly for high-reliability or regulated applications.
Familiarity with high-reliability, fault-tolerant, radiation-tolerant, and safety-critical systems.
Understanding of EEE (electrical, electronic, and electromechanical) parts quality requirements.
Experience designing products for operation in harsh environments, such as space or other extreme conditions.
Experience in supplier management, including parts procurement, PCB fabrication coordination, and electronics assembly services.
Experience with environmental testing processes and equipment, including thermal, vacuum, and EMI/EMC testing.
Knowledge of design for manufacturing (DFM) and design for testing (DFT) principles and their application to PCB and electronics design.
Experience working within quality management systems such as ISO-9001 and AS9100.
Eligibility to work on space-related programs that may require specific work authorization or status.
A passion for developing next-generation electronics for satellites and interest in contributing to high-reliability spacecraft missions.
Work Environment
The work environment centers on developing high-reliability spacecraft electronics on aggressive schedules, with a strong focus on technical excellence and practical execution. Engineers work with modern electronic design tools such as Cadence and Altium, and use laboratory equipment including oscilloscopes, programmable power supplies, programmable loads, and data acquisition systems for testing and debugging. Software tools such as MATLAB, C/C++, and Python support test automation and analysis, while standard office applications are used for documentation and collaboration. The culture emphasizes empowering engineers to make decisions and own their work with minimal management overhead, enabling them to focus on engineering the next generation of satellite electronics. The team works hard to deliver on mission-critical objectives while maintaining a healthy work/life balance, supporting a lifestyle that values both professional achievement and personal commitments outside of work.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Sterling, VA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $43.00 - $60.00/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 Sterling,VA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Jun 23, 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.
