Hardware Systems Engineer

Job Title: Hardware Systems Engineer Job Description This tenured hardware systems engineer role focuses on the integration, testing, deployment, sustainment, and lifecycle management of advanced mission systems, with a strong emphasis on the right side of the systems engineering lifecycle. You will ensure complex hardware-based systems are successfully integrated, verified, deployed, and maintained to support operational missions, working hands-on with system builds, rack-and-stack activities, and hardware/software troubleshooting. The position offers the opportunity to shape processes on a new, modern, open-sourcedriven defense project and to operate in a hybrid environment that feels closer to a commercial setting while remaining deeply connected to critical mission outcomes. Responsibilities Lead system integration, verification, validation, testing, deployment, and sustainment activities for mission-critical systems. Develop test requirements, verification plans, acceptance criteria, and execute comprehensive system-level test procedures. Perform hands-on system build activities including rack-and-stack integration, hardware installation, cable management, and system initialization. Create and maintain technical artifacts such as system architecture diagrams, DoDAF views, topology diagrams, interconnect diagrams, interface control documents (ICDs), and technical specifications. Troubleshoot complex hardware, software, and network issues, perform root cause analysis, and drive corrective and preventive actions. Maintain hardware and software baselines within a formal configuration management environment and support engineering change processes including ECR, ERB, and CCB activities. Support hardware lifecycle management, including technology refresh efforts, logistics coordination, inventory tracking, and return material authorization (RMA) activities. Coordinate with customers, suppliers, and internal engineering, manufacturing, logistics, quality assurance, and operations teams to support system deployments, field installations, testing events, and operational transitions. Support the development and refinement of systems engineering processes for a new program, contributing to full life cycle systems engineering from requirements and CONOPS through deployment and sustainment. Apply knowledge of deployment, digital signal processing (DSP), signal processing, radio frequency (RF), satellite communications, and topology to support advanced mission systems. Operate within a formal configuration and change management environment to ensure technical baselines are controlled and accurately documented. Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives across deployed systems, focusing on reliability, maintainability, and mission effectiveness. Essential Skills Bachelors degree in systems engineering, electrical engineering, or a closely related technical discipline. 5+ years of experience in systems engineering, integration, test, or deployment supporting complex technical programs. Proven experience supporting system integration, verification, validation, and deployment activities for hardware-based systems. Hands-on experience creating and executing test procedures and verification plans at the system level. Demonstrated ability to build, integrate, and troubleshoot hardware-based systems, including rack-and-stack installations and system bring-up. Experience with rack-and-stack integration, cable management, and system build activities in a lab or production environment. Experience generating system architecture artifacts such as topology diagrams, interconnect diagrams, and detailed technical documentation. Experience working in a formal configuration management (CM) environment with controlled hardware and software baselines. Experience supporting engineering change processes and maintaining technical baselines in structured CM workflows. Ability to travel approximately 15% to support CONUS and OCONUS activities. Active Secret security clearance. Additional Skills & Qualifications Masters degree in a relevant technical discipline is highly desirable. Experience supporting SATCOM, tactical communications, networking, or mission systems. Experience with DoDAF architecture products and system architecture development. Experience supporting factory acceptance tests (FAT), site acceptance tests (SAT), and operational test events. Experience supporting deployed systems in field or operational environments, including troubleshooting and sustainment. Experience with size, weight, and power (SWaP) analysis and platform integration activities. Familiarity with ECR, ERB, and CCB processes and their application to configuration and change management. Experience with logistics, supply chain management, inventory management, or RMA processes for hardware systems. Familiarity with product lifecycle management (PLM) tools and configuration management systems. Experience supporting government, defense, aerospace, or national security programs. Exposure to model-based systems engineering (MBSE) and SysML for systems design and documentation. Understanding of deployment practices, digital signal processing (DSP), signal processing, RF, radio frequency, satellite systems, and network topology. Experience with full life cycle systems engineering, including requirements development, CONOPS definition, design reviews (PDR, CDR), and deployment. Ability to grow into or operate as a lead systems engineer, helping to establish and refine systems engineering processes for a new program. Work Environment This position operates in a hybrid work model, with approximately two days per week onsite in Tampa and the remaining time working remotely, offering flexibility while maintaining strong collaboration with the engineering team. The environment feels similar to a modern commercial technology setting, with open office space, laptops, and the ability to use personal cell phones, rather than a closed SCIF environment. You will work with open-source, modern technologies in support of a new defense project that is early in its architecture, providing significant influence over technical decisions and systems engineering processes. The culture emphasizes prime contract work, direct engagement with the customer, and projects that are closely connected to the mission, creating a sense of impact and ownership. The organization pays for the hours actually worked rather than a fixed 40-hour structure, and the location is in a vibrant area with nearby amenities, contributing to a dynamic and engaging workplace. Job Type & Location This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Tampa, FL. Pay and Benefits The pay range for this position is $55.00 - $80.00/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 Tampa,FL. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Oct 14, 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. Actalent