Hardware Design Engineer

Job Title: Hardware Design Engineer

Job Description

This role leads multiple hardware engineering projects across new product development, design improvements, and cost reduction initiatives. You will own the full lifecycle of electrical subsystem design for printed circuit boards and sensor-based products, from initial concept through design, documentation, prototyping, testing, and manufacturing. You will serve as a key technical contributor, collaborating closely with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative, reliable, and manufacturable solutions.

Responsibilities

• Own and lead multiple engineering projects, including new product developments, design improvements, and cost reduction efforts.
• Engage in all phases of electrical subsystem design for PCBs and sensor products, including concept development, detailed design, documentation, prototyping, testing, and transition to manufacturing.
• Design, build, and test prototypes to validate performance against defined requirements and specifications.
• Plan and manage project requirements, technical risks, key deliverables, and timelines to ensure on-time, high-quality outcomes.
• Develop innovative hardware designs that meet safety, performance, reliability, and manufacturability requirements.
• Create clear and thorough test instructions, engineering reports, and engineering change notices to support product development and lifecycle management.
• Troubleshoot and resolve hardware issues, including performance deviations, reliability concerns, and manufacturability challenges.
• Collaborate with purchasing to specify components, custom inductors, transformers, and other hardware elements.
• Provide technical assistance and guidance to service, sales, marketing, and production teams to support product launches, field issues, and customer needs.
• Support the design and development of power devices, controllers, and high-voltage switch mode power supplies as required.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of design practices, tools, and standards within the engineering team.

Essential Skills

• At least 8 years of experience in PCB and hardware design.
• Proficiency with Altium or a similar electronic design automation (EDA) package for schematic capture and PCB layout.
• Strong hands-on experience in PCB design and PCB layout for complex hardware systems.
• Solid understanding of electrical subsystem design, including power electronics and sensor interfaces.
• Ability to design, build, and test hardware prototypes to verify performance against requirements.
• Experience creating technical documentation such as test instructions, engineering reports, and engineering change notices.
• Proven ability to manage project requirements, technical risks, deliverables, and timelines.
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills for hardware issues.
• Effective communication skills to provide technical support to cross-functional teams.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering is strongly desired.
• Experience with lamp ballast design, development, and troubleshooting.
• Knowledge of UV fluorescent and xenon arc lamp technologies.
• Experience designing power devices and controllers, including high-voltage switch mode power supplies.
• Experience designing electronics using high-voltage MOSFET and IGBT devices.
• Expertise in designing and specifying custom inductors and transformers.
• Experience troubleshooting voltage transient, EMI, and susceptibility-related problems.
• Experience working with 3-phase equipment up to 400V.
• Familiarity with EMI mitigation techniques and power quality considerations.
• Ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary engineering team.

Work Environment

This position is primarily based onsite, with the role requiring 100% onsite presence and occasional flexibility for remote work when appropriate. You will work within a collaborative engineering group of approximately 20-25 engineers, including other hardware design engineers and a broader multi-disciplinary team. The environment is hands-on and project-focused, with regular interaction across design, testing, and production activities. You will work with modern electronic design tools such as Altium or similar EDA software, and will be involved in lab-based prototype build and test activities as well as documentation and collaboration with other departments.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Westlake, OH.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $48.08 - $60.10/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 onsite position in Westlake,OH.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on May 29, 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 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

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 actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com 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.