Lead Electrical Engineer

Lead Electrical Engineer

Job Description

We are seeking a Senior to Principal Electrical Engineer to lead the custom, ground-up design of advanced hardware systems as they transition from prototype to manufacturable, production-ready platforms. This role is ideal for a hands-on technical leader who takes full ownership of designs, thrives in fast-moving environments, and can drive complex hardware efforts from concept through execution. The position supports international defense and security partnerships with a strong emphasis on performance, reliability, and manufacturability.

Responsibilities

+ Lead custom electrical system architecture and design, transforming prototype hardware into production-ready solutions.

+ Own end-to-end board design, including schematic capture, component selection, and design trade studies.

+ Redesign COTS-heavy subsystems into bespoke hardware architectures tailored to system, performance, and manufacturing requirements.

+ Drive from-scratch PCB designs, including stack-up definition, signal integrity, power integrity, and EMI/EMC performance.

+ Design and analyze high-power electronics, including AC-to-DC and DC-to-DC conversion architectures.

+ Lead board debugging, validation, and design iteration in support of manufacturing readiness.

+ Evaluate build-vs-buy decisions, with a strong bias toward custom solutions where performance, integration, or scale demand it.

+ Collaborate cross-functionally with mechanical, systems, manufacturing, and program leadership teams.

+ Establish and uphold engineering best practices, design standards, and technical rigor.

+ Serve as a trusted technical leader capable of driving hardware programs to completion.

Essential Skills

+ Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field.

+ 15+ years of hands-on electrical engineering experience.

+ Experience leading deeply custom electrical designs.

+ Full ownership of schematic design for complex digital, power, and mixed-signal boards.

+

Experience with FPGA-based systems, ideally using Xilinx architectures.

+ Strong understanding of PCB stack-ups, signal integrity, and power integrity.

+ Expertise in power electronics, including buck, boost, and LDO regulators.

+

Experience with AC-to-DC power conversion with wide-range inputs and high-power outputs.

+ Working knowledge of EMI/EMC standards and mitigation techniques.

Additional

Skills & Qualifications

+ Experience designing systems where digital electronics interface with RF components.

+ Ability to design for regulated, ruggedized, or production environments.

+ Experience in defense, aerospace, ISR, sensors, satcom, or advanced R&D organizations.

+ Background in environments where rapid prototypes are matured into manufactured systems.

+

Experience with high-reliability electronics, custom power architectures, or mission-critical hardware.

+ Prior work in highly technical, execution-driven engineering cultures.

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 $100.00 - $115.00/hr.

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 remote position.

Final date to receive applications

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 24, 2026.

About Actalent

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