Hardware Engineer

Job Title: Hardware Engineer - High-Speed PCB Design

Job Description

This role focuses on a high-speed PCB design project centered on a board respin driven by component obsolescence. You will update schematics, replace obsolete components, and execute full design validation for extremely high-speed digital boards used in advanced electronic test systems. The position offers a one-year engagement with the potential for ongoing work, including possible changes to board materials that may impact high-speed performance. You will own the complete lifecycle from design through validation, with a balanced workload of approximately 50% hands-on lab work and 50% design activities.

Responsibilities

• Lead a high-speed PCB board respin effort driven by component obsolescence, ensuring functional and performance equivalence or improvement.
• Update and refine schematics to integrate replacement components while maintaining or enhancing high-speed signal integrity and overall board performance.
• Select and qualify replacement components, ensuring compatibility with existing designs, interfaces, and high-speed requirements.
• Execute full design validation (DV) for high-speed digital boards, including planning, setup, execution, and documentation of validation activities.
• Perform hands-on lab validation and characterization work approximately half of the time, using high-speed oscilloscopes, BERT/BER testers, pattern generators, and related test equipment.
• Own the complete design lifecycle from concept and circuit design through validation, verification, and release, rather than contributing only to a subset of activities.
• Characterize and troubleshoot high-speed interfaces, including SERDES links, PAM4 signaling, NRZ signaling, and related high-speed protocols.
• Analyze and optimize phase noise, clock and data recovery (CDR), and timing performance for high-speed channels.
• Evaluate and, when needed, recommend changes to board materials and stack-ups to support 9+ GHz operation and maintain signal integrity.
• Collaborate closely with layout resources while providing clear guidance on high-speed routing constraints, stack-up, and design rules, even though you will not perform layout yourself.
• Perform power supply and power distribution network (PDN) design and analysis to support stable, low-noise operation of high-speed circuitry.
• Develop, document, and follow validation and verification protocols for interfaces such as PCIe and other OIF-CEI or similar high-speed standards.
• Use and adapt to Cadence OrCAD or equivalent CAD tools to implement schematic changes and support the design process.
• Generate clear technical documentation, including test plans, test reports, design notes, and design validation summaries.
• Troubleshoot and resolve issues identified during validation and characterization, driving design changes or test refinements as needed.
• Work both independently and in collaboration with cross-functional teams to deliver robust, production-ready high-speed board designs.
• Take ownership of deliverables, schedules, and quality for assigned boards and subsystems within the one-year project timeline.

Essential Skills

• 10-15+ years of experience in high-speed digital board design, including ownership of complete board projects.
• Strong fundamental expertise in all areas of PCB design excluding layout, with a proven track record of designing and delivering high-speed boards operating at 9 GHz and above.
• Hands-on experience with high-speed lab validation and design verification using oscilloscopes such as Keysight high-speed scopes (DCA-X, N1000 series or equivalent).
• Practical experience with BERT/BER testing and pattern generators for high-speed interface characterization.
• Deep knowledge of high-speed signaling technologies, including SERDES, PAM4 signaling, NRZ signaling, and related channel behaviors.
• Experience with clock and data recovery (CDR) techniques and phase noise analysis for high-speed systems.
• Proficiency in circuit design for high-speed digital boards, including signal integrity and power integrity considerations.
• Ability to quickly become proficient with Cadence OrCAD or adapt existing CAD tool experience to OrCAD in a short timeframe.
• Experience in validation and verification of high-speed interfaces and protocols, including development and execution of validation protocols.
• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) or equivalent technical degree in a related field.
• Demonstrated ability to independently own design, validation, and verification activities rather than only contributing as a small part of a larger team.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Tualatin, OR.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $60.00 - $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 fully onsite position in Tualatin,OR.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 23, 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 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.