Hardware Electrical Engineering

Electrical Engineer | 5-days onsite in Chantilly, VA | 120k - 150k/yr | 6-month contract-to-hire

This position offers an opportunity for an Electrical Engineer to support a dynamic engineering team across a diverse portfolio of flight simulation and training programs. You will work in a fast-paced design environment focused on delivering high-fidelity training systems that enhance mission readiness and support the warfighter. The role centers on electrical architecture, interface design, and system integration, translating complex training system requirements into robust, reliable electrical solutions. You will contribute directly to the development and upgrade of domestic and international flight and aircrew training systems while balancing innovation with disciplined execution.

Act as an innovative self-starter who takes ownership of electrical hardware design tasks and delivers high-quality solutions.

Perform analysis, design, documentation, and testing of electrical hardware components and assemblies to meet training system requirements.

Lead hardware and software integration activities to ensure seamless operation of complex training systems.

Design cables and interface panels using AutoCAD for direct manufacturing, ensuring accuracy, manufacturability, and compliance with design standards.

Coordinate closely with systems, software, mechanical, manufacturing, and program management teams to ensure designs meet overall training system requirements and subsystem integration needs.

Troubleshoot hardware failures, identify root causes, and implement effective corrective actions to maintain system reliability and performance.

Provide technical input and support for design reviews, ensuring that electrical designs are well-documented, traceable, and aligned with program objectives.

Participate in subsystem acceptance activities, including test planning, execution, and verification of electrical and interface performance.

Contribute to the development and integration of hardware for a variety of flight simulators, including avionics systems, cockpit hardware, and training interfaces.

Develop and integrate hardware interfaces to audio systems, visual systems, Mixed Reality headsets, motion systems, I/O systems, and Instructor Operator Stations (IOS).

Apply hardware engineering concepts and processes to ensure that designs are robust, maintainable, and scalable for future upgrades.

Support continuous improvement of engineering practices, documentation standards, and integration processes within the training systems environment.

Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering.

• 4–7 years of professional experience in electrical engineering.
• Strong hardware engineering skills with demonstrated experience in analysis, design, documentation, integration, and testing of electrical components and assemblies.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD LT for designing cables and interface panels for direct manufacturing.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel for documentation, reporting, and engineering analysis.
• Solid understanding of hardware engineering concepts and processes, including configuration control, design reviews, and verification activities.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret Clearance, with preference for candidates who already hold an active clearance.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, multi-disciplinary environment focused on customer satisfaction and mission readiness.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills for working with systems, software, mechanical, manufacturing, and program management teams.

Experience with commercial interfaces such as RS-232, RS-422, Ethernet, Discrete I/O, and Analog I/O.

Knowledge of AC and DC power systems and their application in complex training or simulation environments.

Familiarity with analog and digital video interfaces used in visual and display subsystems.

Hands-on experience with laboratory equipment such as power supplies, multimeters, oscilloscopes, and soldering irons.

Interest in and desire to learn about military aircraft systems and avionics.

Experience working on flight simulators or training systems, including avionics, cockpits, audio, visual, Mixed Reality, motion systems, I/O systems, and Instructor Operator Stations (IOS).

Experience participating in design reviews and subsystem acceptance testing for complex integrated systems.

Demonstrated ability to balance innovation with disciplined execution in an engineering environment.

The role is based on-site in Chantilly and follows a Monday through Friday work schedule. You will work in a collaborative engineering environment that focuses on mission-ready, realistic training solutions for military aircrews. The portfolio includes deployable mission rehearsal trainers and a range of containerized and facility-based flight simulator platforms with varying levels of fidelity. The work involves close collaboration with multidisciplinary teams and frequent use of engineering tools such as AutoCAD LT, Microsoft Office applications, and standard electronics lab equipment including power supplies, multimeters, oscilloscopes, and soldering tools. The environment emphasizes precision, integration, and innovation to deliver authentic, spatially efficient, and cost-effective training systems at the point of need. You can expect a professional setting where safety, quality, and adherence to engineering standards are prioritized, and where long-term programs provide opportunities for ongoing development and contribution to cutting-edge training and simulation solutions.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Chantilly, VA.

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.

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)

Application Deadline

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.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 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.