Job Title: Electrical EngineerJob Description
This Electrical Engineer role focuses on designing and developing printed circuit boards (PCBs) for human machine interfaces (HMI) and lighting panels (LPL) used in commercial and military aircraft. You will take ownership of board design from concept through layout and bring-up, working with very small form-factor PCBs and low-voltage systems to support critical aerospace applications. The position offers exposure to both classified and unclassified programs, collaboration with a mix of senior and junior engineers, and opportunities for growth and internal promotion.
Responsibilities
Design PCBs that integrate into human machine interface (HMI) systems and lighting panels (LPL) for commercial and military aircraft.
Create and own schematic designs for boards, including component selection, signal routing, and power distribution.
Develop board layouts for 1-7 layer PCBs, ensuring proper placement, routing, and adherence to design rules and manufacturing constraints.
Work with very small PCB form factors used in aircraft switches and buttons, including boards sized approximately 3/4 inch by 1.5 inch.
Handle designs involving small components and voltages up to 28 volts, ensuring safety, reliability, and performance.
Lead and own the complete PCB design process, including schematic capture, layout, and preparation of documentation for fabrication and assembly.
Support board bring-up and testing, validating that PCBs meet electrical, functional, and performance requirements.
Collaborate with other engineers across multiple programs and industries to integrate PCBs into larger systems and assemblies.
Participate in training and knowledge sharing within a team that includes both senior and junior engineers.
Contribute to continuous improvement of design practices, tools, and standards to enhance product quality and development efficiency.
Essential Skills
Proven experience designing boards and PCBs from scratch, including 1-7 layer board architectures.
Hands-on experience working with small electronic components and low-voltage systems up to 28 volts.
Demonstrated ability to own schematic design and PCB layout from concept through release.
Strong background in electrical engineering and electronic hardware design.
Proficiency with schematic design and PCB layout tools such as OrCAD or Altium.
Experience with PCB board layout, board design, and board bring-up activities.
Ability to work with compact PCB designs suitable for switches, buttons, and other small interface components.
Understanding of electronics, schematics, and hardware design principles for reliable aerospace applications.
Eligibility to work on ITAR-restricted projects (e.g., able to meet ITAR compliance requirements).
Likely suited for professionals with approximately 2-6 years of relevant electrical engineering and PCB design experience.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Experience with human machine interface (HMI) systems, including switch and button integration.
background in lighting panel (LPL) design for aircraft or similar applications.
Familiarity with mechanical components associated with switches, buttons, and panel assemblies.
Experience with lighting performance considerations such as brightness, color, and uniformity on displays and indicators.
Exposure to composite testing and evaluation of materials used in aerospace components.
Ability to work across multiple industries, including aerospace and defense, and adapt designs to varied program requirements.
Interest in working on both classified and unclassified programs.
Desire to grow within an organization that promotes internally and supports long-term career development.
Work Environment
The role is based in an established aerospace and defense environment with a long history of supporting aircraft development in California. You will work alongside a mix of senior and junior engineers in a collaborative setting that emphasizes mentorship, training, and internal promotion. The engineering team uses modern electrical design and PCB layout tools such as OrCAD and Altium, and you will be involved in projects spanning multiple industries and both classified and unclassified programs. The organization is known for low turnover and a culture where people enjoy staying long term, contributing to a stable and supportive workplace. Work is primarily performed in an engineering office and lab environment focused on precision electronic hardware design for aircraft systems.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Carson, CA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $48.00 - $63.00/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 Carson,CA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Aug 28, 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 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.
