Electrical Engineer

Electrical Engineer (6 Month Contract)Sigma Design has collaborated with a leading defense technology company seeking an experienced Electrical Engineer to join their facility in Costa Mesa, CA. This company specializes in autonomous systems and next-generation defense technologies. This position is a 6-month contract with possibility of extension or hire and fully In-Office. While on contract you are eligible for:Multiple options for medical insurance and dental insurance including some with FSA and HSA401(k) with up to 4% company match15-days of accrued PTO and 9 company paid holidaysQuarterly bonus programVoluntary benefits: vision, long-term disability, and life insuranceMonday – Friday, day shift$60.00 - $89.00 an hour. The hourly range for this role is an estimate based on multiple factors, including experience, education, training, skills, and business considerations. Actual compensation may vary based on the candidate's qualifications and alignment with the rolePrimary Function: The Electrical Engineer is responsible for the design, development, testing, troubleshooting, and integration of complex electrical and electronic hardware. This role owns electrical hardware development throughout the product lifecycle, including schematic capture, PCB design and layout, component selection, circuit analysis, board bring-up, qualification, debugging, and system integration. The Electrical Engineer will work cross-functionally to design and deliver robust, reliable hardware capable of performing in demanding environments. Essential Job Functions - Responsibilities:Own the full-cycle electrical hardware development process, translating system-level requirements into robust electrical designs from architecture through production.Perform schematic capture, component selection, and high-density PCB design and layout, with a strong preference for Altium Designer.Design and optimize power distribution and power supply circuits, motor controller circuits, actuator circuits, and embedded control electronics.Apply strong engineering fundamentals across analog, digital, and power electronics to develop reliable hardware.Perform circuit simulations, worst-case analysis (WCA), thermal analysis, DFMEA, and component derating to evaluate design performance and reliability.Conduct peer-level and cross-functional electrical design reviews, incorporating feedback from mechanical, thermal, software, test, quality, manufacturing, and systems engineering teams.Lead board bring-up, Design Verification Testing (DVT), qualification testing, functional testing, and hardware troubleshooting.Develop electrical test setups and utilize laboratory equipment including oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, thermal chambers, spectrum analyzers, function generators, DMMs, electronic loads, power supplies, and automated test equipment.Troubleshoot hardware using standard communication interfaces and protocols, including CAN, I2C, SPI, and Ethernet.Perform root cause and failure analysis for issues identified during development, testing, manufacturing, and field operations.Investigate electrical architectures and develop technical solutions for new and evolving product requirements.Partner with manufacturing and quality teams to identify and resolve production-related electrical failures and improve hardware manufacturability and reliability.Drive assigned electrical engineering workstreams from initial concept and architecture through prototype development, testing, integration, and production.Develop and maintain technical documentation, design specifications, test procedures, and engineering reports.Demonstrate strong ownership and initiative while independently driving technical work in a fast-paced engineering environment.Collaborate effectively across multiple engineering disciplines to deliver high-quality hardware solutions.Follow Business Technology policies to protect sensitive data and reduce information security occurrences.Education and Experience: (Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities)Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) or equivalent technical discipline required; Master's degree in Electrical Engineering preferred.Minimum of 5 years of professional experience designing, testing, troubleshooting, and integrating complex electrical and PCB-based hardware.Strong technical background in analog, digital, and power electronics.Demonstrated ability to independently design PCBs, including schematic capture, component selection, layout, bring-up, debugging, and system integration.Deep proficiency with Altium Designer or an equivalent electrical schematic and PCB layout tool.Experience with LTSpice or equivalent circuit simulation software.Experience performing circuit simulations, worst-case analysis, thermal analysis, DFMEA, and component derating.Experience developing and executing electrical test setups, DVT, qualification testing, and functional testing.Proficiency using laboratory equipment including oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, thermal chambers, spectrum analyzers, function generators, DMMs, electronic loads, power supplies, and automated test equipment.Familiarity with CAN, I2C, SPI, Ethernet, and common MCU/CPU architectures.Experience with EMC/EMI considerations and electrical hardware designed for challenging environmental conditions, including vibration and temperature extremes.Experience performing root cause and failure analysis on manufacturing, test, and field failures.Experience with power electronics, motor control, pumps, motor drivers, or actuator systems preferred.Experience with MATLAB/Simulink for data analysis, control-loop modeling, or system simulation preferred.Strong technical writing, analytical, troubleshooting, communication, and problem-solving skills.Demonstrated ownership, initiative, and a proactive, go-getter approach to engineering challenges.Ability to work effectively in a highly collaborative, cross-functional engineering environment.Compliance (background check, ITAR, vaccine, etc.)ITAR - Permanent resident of the United States ("U.S. person" as defined by ITAR)Background - Pass a post-offer background verification.Security Clearance: Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. security clearance.Work Environment Standard office environment with normal amounts of office related conditions. Occasionally may be required to work in environmental conditions that emulate typical user environments in order to facilitate design testing and validation. Occasionally may be required to travel as required to other facilities, clients, or suppliers.Sigma Design is an Equal Opportunity Employer