Job Title: Senior Electrical EngineerJob Description
This Senior Electrical Engineer role leads the design and development of electrical systems for complex consumer electronics products from concept through mass production. You will own schematic capture, PCB layout review, board-level architecture decisions, and system-level design, while driving hardware bring-up, debugging, validation, and performance optimization. The position offers high ownership, close collaboration with cross-functional teams, and the opportunity to shape next-generation hardware products in a fast-paced startup environment.
Responsibilities
Lead the design and development of electrical systems for complex consumer electronics products.
Own schematic capture, PCB layout review, and board-level architecture decisions for new and existing designs.
Drive hardware bring-up activities, including board power-on, initial testing, and subsystem integration.
Lead debugging and validation efforts, including design verification testing (DVT) and system-level debug across subsystems.
Make component selection and system-level design decisions that balance performance, cost, reliability, and manufacturability.
Collaborate closely with hardware, software, and product teams to guide products from early concept through mass production.
Develop, document, and maintain electrical system designs, design rationales, and technical decisions for future reference.
Ensure robust power and signal integrity in PCB and system-level designs.
Oversee and review multi-layer and high-speed PCB designs, providing guidance on layout and design tradeoffs.
Lead environmental and reliability testing efforts for electrical systems as needed.
Work hands-on in the lab using debugging tools and test equipment to characterize, validate, and optimize designs.
Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior engineers, supporting their growth and ensuring high-quality design practices.
Contribute to continuous improvement of design processes, tools, and best practices within the hardware team.
Support manufacturing and operations teams in resolving electrical design issues during ramp and mass production.
Participate actively in design reviews, providing and incorporating feedback to improve product quality and performance.
Essential Skills
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field.
Typically 10+ years of experience, or equivalent demonstrated ownership of complex hardware systems from concept to production.
Strong expertise in analog, digital, and mixed-signal system design for consumer electronics or similar products.
Deep experience with PCB design, including multi-layer and high-speed boards, and the ability to review and guide layout.
Proficiency with PCB design tools such as Altium.
Proven end-to-end ownership of electrical design, from initial concept through manufacturing and mass production.
Strong background in communication protocols such as I2C, SPI, USB, and similar interfaces.
Experience with power and signal integrity considerations at board and system level.
Hands-on experience with microcontrollers, FPGAs, and SoCs in embedded systems.
Extensive debugging and validation experience using lab equipment and debugging tools.
Demonstrated ability to lead hardware bring-up, DVT, and system-level debugging across subsystems.
Comfort operating in small, highly technical teams with high levels of ownership and autonomy.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Experience designing electrical systems for consumer electronics products.
Familiarity with wireless technologies such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
Experience with USB-based system design and integration.
Exposure to environmental testing and validation of hardware products.
Ability to make informed design tradeoffs across performance, cost, and manufacturability.
Experience working in a fast-paced startup or similarly dynamic environment.
Strong communication skills for cross-functional collaboration and technical documentation.
Experience mentoring junior engineers and providing technical leadership within a hardware team.
Work Environment
The role is based in a fast-paced startup environment with evolving priorities and a strong emphasis on building and iteration. You will work in a small, highly technical team where high ownership and autonomy are expected at all levels. The culture encourages close collaboration across hardware, software, and product functions, with frequent hands-on work in the lab using modern tools and test equipment. The organization maintains a flatter structure compared with large corporate environments, providing direct influence on product direction, exposure to multiple product lines and new hardware categories, and the opportunity to make a tangible impact on products that reach the market.
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Carlsbad, CA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $100000.00 - $180000.00/yr.
Competitive base salary (level dependent) Equity in the form of stock options Health and vision benefits Opportunity to work on high-impact hardware products
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Carlsbad,CA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Jun 24, 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.
