Hardware Engineer

Job Title: Hardware Engineer Job Description
This role supports a major hardware modernization effort for a mission-critical real-time system. The Hardware Engineer is responsible for creating, updating, and maintaining hardware documentation, engineering change notices and orders, and engineering drawings and schematics for a large-scale hardware integration program. The position involves working closely with a multidisciplinary team to support hardware updates, integration, and testing at various sites across the country, ensuring high reliability and compliance in a complex, highly regulated environment.
Responsibilities

• Create and update Computer Aided Design (CAD) drawings, Microsoft Visio drawings, cable marking specifications, retrofit and workbook installation instructions, bills of material (BOMs), and parts lists.
• Support computer rack and operator console builds.
• Participate in the full Systems Engineering hardware design lifecycle, including research, development, technical analyses, cost estimates, process improvements, and technical support to meet program objectives.
• Develop hardware designs, electrical wiring diagrams, cable schematics, interconnect diagrams, and cable lists to support system installation and integration activities.
• Support hardware fabrication, assembly, integration, testing, troubleshooting, repair, and modification activities using standard engineering principles and diagnostic tools.
• Collaborate with vendors, suppliers, and cross-functional teams including Software Engineering, Systems Engineering, Site Activation, Procurement, Manufacturing, and Program Management.
• Develop and maintain engineering drawings, source control drawings, system specifications, verification procedures, and other technical documentation.
• Support requirements analysis, project planning, schedule development, status reporting, and technical execution activities based on Statements of Work (SOWs).
• Support engineering change activities, including preparation and processing of Engineering Change Notices (ECNs), Engineering Change Requests (ECRs), discrepancy resolution, and configuration management processes.
• Utilize configuration management software and processes to manage tangible hardware baselines and formal design changes.
• Contribute to quality assurance activities related to hardware documentation, configuration control, and system integration.
• Support hardware integration, installation, and troubleshooting activities in lab or production environments.
• Use systems integration software and related tools to assist with integration and testing tasks as needed.
• Support occasional extended work hours or off-shift activities as required to meet integration, testing, or deployment schedules.
• Communicate progress, risks, and technical issues clearly to project stakeholders and team members.

Essential Skills

• Experience with tangible hardware configuration management, dealing with engineering change notices and orders.
• Experience with complex, highly regulated systems, ideally government systems.
• Experience with CAD software to make adjustments to schematics and bill of materials (BOMs) for engineering drawings.
• Experience supporting hardware engineering activities such as system integration, hardware documentation, cable design, CAD modeling, testing, or technical troubleshooting.
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline.
• 4-8 years of relevant experience.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, and Visio.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Proficiency with AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Inventor, Visio, or other CAD software tools.
• Proficiency in designing parts and assemblies using 3D modeling software.
• Experience with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and/or Machine Learning (ML) technologies.
• Experience using automation methods or scripting techniques to improve technical documentation or engineering workflows.
• Experience working in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) environments.
• Familiarity with air traffic control systems or other mission-critical real-time systems.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills applied to hardware design and integration challenges.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills for documenting designs and presenting technical information.

Work Environment
The position is based in an office environment.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Gaithersburg, MD.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $50.00 - $65.00/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 Gaithersburg,MD.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Sep 11, 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.