Principal Hardware Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Principal Hardware Engineer Job Description

This Principal Hardware Engineer role sits within a highly technical engineering organization dedicated to designing and developing next-generation embedded computing platforms and advanced digital hardware systems. The position emphasizes hardware architecture, board-level design, and schematic development, while also involving FPGA implementation, validation, and integration. You will own complex digital hardware designs from concept through integration, validation, and deployment, working across FPGA development, processor-based systems, high-speed interfaces, hardware debugging, and technical leadership initiatives. The role is ideal for an engineer with a broad systems perspective and strong hardware design expertise who can remain hands-on while contributing to architectural decisions and mentoring others.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of complex digital hardware platforms for embedded computing and processor-based systems.
• Design, review, and validate board-level schematics for FPGA-based and processor-based hardware.
• Develop FPGA functionality using VHDL, including implementation, integration, and optimization.
• Create and execute FPGA simulations, verification plans, and test benches to ensure robust and reliable designs.
• Support FPGA integration into board-level hardware designs, ensuring proper connectivity, timing, and performance.
• Design and implement high-speed digital interfaces and memory architectures for next-generation embedded platforms.
• Perform board bring-up activities, including power-on, configuration, and initial functional testing.
• Conduct hardware troubleshooting and validation, identifying root causes and implementing corrective actions.
• Utilize laboratory equipment such as logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, and protocol analyzers for testing and debug.
• Support processor platform development and contribute to the design of next-generation embedded architectures.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional engineering teams throughout the entire product development lifecycle.
• Participate in architecture discussions while remaining actively involved in hands-on engineering tasks.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior engineers, sharing best practices and guiding design decisions.
• Apply strong understanding of signal integrity, power distribution, power sequencing, decoupling strategies, and hardware validation in daily design work.
• Contribute to the development of products from initial concept through to production, ensuring design quality and manufacturability.

Essential Skills

• 8+ years of digital hardware design experience (5+ years considered for exceptional candidates).
• Strong experience designing and reviewing board-level schematics for complex digital systems.
• Hands-on experience with FPGA-based hardware systems and their surrounding board-level hardware.
• FPGA development experience utilizing VHDL for implementation and integration.
• Experience creating FPGA test benches and simulation environments for verification and validation.
• Knowledge of high-speed digital design techniques for interfaces and memory architectures.
• Experience integrating processors, microcontrollers, and FPGAs within embedded systems.
• Strong understanding of signal integrity, including impedance control, termination, and timing considerations.
• Strong understanding of power distribution and power sequencing for complex digital boards.
• Strong understanding of decoupling strategies and power integrity for reliable hardware operation.
• Experience with hardware validation and debug in a laboratory environment.
• Hands-on experience performing laboratory testing and troubleshooting using common electronic test equipment.
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Experience with schematic capture tools and workflows for hardware design.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with high-speed and standard interfaces such as PCIe, DDR memory, Ethernet / Gigabit Ethernet, RGMII, SPI, I2C, CAN Bus, QSPI, USB-C, and DisplayPort.
• Experience with Xilinx or AMD FPGA devices.
• Experience with Intel (Altera) FPGA devices.
• Familiarity with FPGA families such as Zynq, Artix-7, Spartan, Cyclone, or similar platforms.
• Experience working with processor platforms such as NXP or i.MX.
• Experience supporting products in safety-critical or regulated industries.
• Technical leadership or mentoring experience within an engineering team.
• Experience developing products from concept through production, including design iteration and refinement.
• Broad systems perspective and ability to understand how FPGA, processors, and surrounding hardware interact.
• Ability to balance architectural input with hands-on engineering work, staying closely involved in implementation and validation.

Work Environment

You will work in a highly technical, lab-oriented environment focused on embedded computing platforms and digital hardware systems. The role involves frequent use of electronic laboratory equipment such as logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, and protocol analyzers for board bring-up, validation, and debugging. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional engineering teams and remain engaged throughout the full product development lifecycle, from concept through production. The environment emphasizes rigorous hardware design practices, system-level thinking, and continuous learning around high-speed interfaces, FPGA technologies, and processor platforms. Typical work is performed in an engineering office and electronics lab setting, with attire appropriate for a professional technical workplace and safe laboratory work.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Melbourne, FL.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $51.00 - $76.00/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 Melbourne,FL.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 27, 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 View email address on us.fitly.work 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.