Electrical Engineer

Electrical Engineer | 4-days onsite in Sterling, VA | 150k - 180k/yr | 12-month contract-to-hire
Job Description
We are seeking multiple Electrical Engineers to support the custom design of advanced electronic systems as they transition from early prototypes into manufacturable products. This role is ideal for engineers with a strong handson foundation who want to expand their technical ownership, work on more complex designs, and grow within a fastpaced hardware development environment. You will help evolve systems that began as proofofconcept or COTSheavy designs into tightly integrated, custom electronic solutions that support U.S. and international defense and security initiatives, with a strong emphasis on reliability, performance, and production readiness.
Responsibilities

• Contribute to the custom electrical design and redesign of complex digital, power, and mixedsignal systems.
• Support the transition of prototype hardware into manufacturable, productionready designs.
• Develop and modify schematics under the guidance of experienced engineers, taking on increasing ownership of subsystems over time.
• Assist with COTS component evaluation and integration, and support redesign efforts to replace external modules with custom hardware.
• Participate in PCB design activities, including stackup reviews, signal integrity considerations, and power integrity analysis.
• Support power electronics design efforts, including DCDC and ACDC conversion circuits.
• Assist with hardware bringup, debugging, and lab testing using standard electronic instrumentation.
• Collaborate closely with mechanical, systems, manufacturing, and program teams to ensure cohesive system development.
• Document designs, test results, and engineering changes clearly, accurately, and in a timely manner.
• Contribute to creating cuttingedge counterUAS systems that support military, state, and local security operations worldwide.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering.
• 5+ years of electrical engineering experience in hardware product development.
• Experience supporting custom boardlevel designs rather than strictly system integration roles.
• Working knowledge of schematic capture for digital, analog, and power circuits.
• Exposure to FPGAbased systems (such as Xilinx or similar), particularly at the interface level.
• Foundational understanding of PCB stackups and layout considerations.
• Foundational understanding of signal integrity and power integrity principles.
• Foundational understanding of EMI/EMC fundamentals.
• Handson experience with PCB design and schematic capture tools.
• Ability to perform boardlevel debugging and support system bringup in a lab environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with power electronics, including buck, boost, and LDO regulators.
• Experience with low to midpower DCDC conversion and familiarity with higherpower ACDC systems.
• Experience debugging boardlevel issues and supporting system integration efforts.
• Experience in defense, aerospace, ISR, sensors, communications, or advanced R&D environments.
• Experience working on products that successfully moved from prototype to production.
• Familiarity with ruggedized or regulated hardware environments.
• Comfort working in environments with changing requirements and evolving designs.
• Interest in developing counterUAS systems that enhance safety at largescale events and support global security initiatives.

Work Environment
During the contracting phase, you may work remotely, with occasional travel to the primary engineering site for several days every one to two months. Upon conversion to a permanent role, you will relocate to the Washington, DC area and work onsite full time, with relocation costs covered. You will operate in a fastpaced hardware development environment focused on advanced electronic systems, including PCB design, schematic capture, FPGAbased interfaces, and power electronics such as DCDC and ACDC conversion. The work centers on developing rugged, productionready counterUAS hardware used by military, state, and local agencies, as well as in major international events and challenging operational environments. Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams and handson lab work with standard electronic test equipment are integral parts of the daytoday environment.
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 $75.00 - $90.00/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 hybrid position in Sterling,VA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Sep 25, 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 click.appcast.io 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.