Job Title: Hardware Engineer
Job Description
The Hardware Engineer leads and reviews the design and development of electronic hardware, covering requirements analysis, architecture definition, schematic design, simulation, design for EMC, hardware layout, and validation. This role drives the creation of robust automotive embedded hardware solutions, ensures compliance with industry and regulatory standards, and provides technical leadership to a small hardware team. The engineer collaborates closely with cross-functional core teams and customers to deliver innovative, reliable products that meet performance, quality, and timing targets.
Responsibilities
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Use the ALM tool (Codebeamer) to analyze requirements and derive hardware design, verification, and validation criteria.
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Lead and review engineering activities to design, prototype, and validate electronic hardware solutions in line with customer and internal core team timing requirements.
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Maintain regular communication with internal and external stakeholders on technical issues to ensure clear understanding of needs and reliable delivery of design commitments.
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Actively participate in program core team meetings and present defined engineering deliverables in a proactive and structured manner.
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Develop engineered product solutions that meet customer needs by creatively using core part designs and technologies while ensuring compliance with IPC and other regulatory standards.
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Apply best practices such as Worst Case Circuit Analysis (WCCA), thermal analysis, electrical analysis, EMC simulations, and other standard engineering tools to optimize hardware design.
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Establish and maintain comprehensive records of technical information, process methods and standards, design details, program documentation, and other records that support reliable intellectual property and patent activities.
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Ensure designs are reviewed from a Design for Excellence (DFX) perspective, including Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), Design for Cost (DFC), Design for Testability (DFT), and Design for Reliability (DFR), to meet product targets for quality, cost, and performance.
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Provide technical leadership to a small hardware team by offering direction, guidance, and mentorship in embedded hardware design activities.
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Work with schematic entry and PCB layout design tools to produce high-quality schematics and layouts that meet functional, EMC, and manufacturability requirements.
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Support and maintain hardware component, footprint, and symbol libraries for use in global designs to ensure consistency and reuse across projects.
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Integrate standard automotive communication bus hardware, such as LIN and CAN, into embedded hardware designs.
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Ensure hardware designs meet OEM testing specifications, design requirements, and automotive project launch cycle expectations.
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Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support APQP processes and align hardware deliverables with overall program milestones.
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Complete additional assignments, duties, and projects as needed to support engineering and program objectives.
Essential Skills
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Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or Mechatronics Engineering.
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Preferred 5+ years of experience in an automotive embedded hardware product design role.
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Proven ability to lead a small hardware team by providing technical direction and guidance in embedded hardware design.
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Strong experience in embedded hardware design for automotive applications.
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Hands-on experience with schematic entry and PCB layout design tools and processes; experience with the Cadence tool suite is an asset.
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Proficiency in PCB and schematic design, including layout design and design for EMC.
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Experience performing engineering calculations and analyses, such as Worst Case Circuit Analysis (WCCA) and simulations.
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Experience integrating standard automotive communication bus hardware, including LIN and CAN, into designs.
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Experience working with OEM testing specifications and design requirements.
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Experience with automotive project launch cycles and related development processes.
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Experience managing and maintaining hardware component, footprint, and symbol libraries for global design reuse.
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Knowledge of automotive APQP terminology and processes.
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Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to diagnose and resolve complex hardware issues.
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Excellent communication and presentation skills for conveying technical concepts to diverse audiences.
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Knowledge of ISO Functional Safety and ASPICE frameworks is an asset.
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Experience with embedded hardware, automotive systems, PCB design, PCB layout, Linux-based environments, and embedded hardware design workflows.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
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Familiarity with ALM tools such as Codebeamer for requirements management and traceability.
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Knowledge of IPC standards and other relevant regulatory standards for electronic hardware design and manufacturing.
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Experience applying Design for Excellence (DFX) principles, including DFM, DFA, DFC, DFT, and DFR, in hardware development.
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Exposure to thermal, electrical, and EMC simulation tools and methodologies.
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Experience working with ISO-based functional safety concepts and ASPICE-compliant development processes.
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Experience in automotive environments with understanding of communication protocols and OEM expectations.
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Ability to document technical information, processes, and design decisions thoroughly for future reference and intellectual property protection.
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Strong collaboration skills with cross-functional core teams, including software, systems, manufacturing, and quality.
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Motivation to contribute to innovative products used across automotive, furniture, hydraulic cylinders, flooring, textile, and geo component applications.
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Interest in working within an organization that emphasizes continuous improvement, product reliability, and customer-focused solutions.
Work Environment
The role operates in a professional engineering environment focused on the design and development of embedded automotive hardware and related electronic systems. You will work with modern schematic entry and PCB layout tools, including the Cadence tool suite, as well as analysis and simulation tools for WCCA, thermal analysis, electrical analysis, and EMC simulations. Collaboration with global teams is common, and you will participate in structured automotive development processes, including APQP and project launch cycles. The environment emphasizes rigorous documentation, adherence to IPC and regulatory standards, and consistent use of shared component and footprint libraries. Work typically follows standard business hours, with flexibility required at times to meet critical program milestones and support core team activities. The culture values innovation, reliable product development and launch capabilities, and the opportunity to contribute to products used in diverse industries such as automotive, furniture, flooring, textiles, and geo components. Professional attire appropriate for an engineering office and occasional lab or manufacturing floor visits is expected, with safety and quality standards prioritized across all activities.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Troy, MI.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $45.00 - $60.00/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 hybrid position in Troy,MI.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Aug 13, 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 [email protected] 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.
