Computer hardware engineer h1.location_city

Job Title: Hardware Engineer

Job Description

The Hardware Engineer leads the hands-on design, development, and validation of electronic hardware for high-performance LED lighting systems. This role owns the hardware lifecycle from concept through production, driving power electronics, embedded and mixed-signal designs, regulatory compliance, and manufacturing test infrastructure. You will work in a collaborative, cross-functional environment where your ideas directly shape products, processes, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and validate electronic hardware for high-performance LED lighting systems, including AC/DC and DC/DC power electronics and constant-current LED drivers.
• Develop embedded hardware and mixed-signal circuitry, including microcontroller-based designs and analog signal interfaces.
• Execute hardware development from concept through production, including requirements definition, technical trade-off studies, schematic capture, and PCB design.
• Select electronic components with careful consideration of performance, availability, cost, and lifecycle, ensuring robust long-term product support.
• Lead prototype assembly, bring-up, debugging, and performance characterization to validate design intent and meet product requirements.
• Apply Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Test (DFT) principles by engaging directly with manufacturing and test teams to optimize builds and reduce issues.
• Own and manage Bills of Materials (BOMs) across the full product lifecycle, including initial creation, controlled release, cost reduction, alternate sourcing, and obsolescence mitigation.
• Collaborate closely with systems architects and firmware engineers to define hardware/firmware interfaces, constraints, and support embedded system architecture.
• Investigate and resolve system-level issues that span hardware, firmware, and overall product behavior.
• Partner with mechanical engineering to ensure electronic assemblies perform reliably in harsh, high-temperature, high-vibration, and hazardous environments.
• Ensure designs meet environmental sealing, thermal management, and cost objectives in collaboration with mechanical and manufacturing teams.
• Develop and support manufacturing and validation infrastructure, including manufacturing and engineering test strategies, test fixtures, automation, and data capture systems.
• Lead root-cause analysis and implement corrective actions for production or field issues related to electronic hardware or test processes.
• Lead or support compliance and regulatory efforts across applicable markets and regions, including UL compliance and other . and European standards.
• Provide hands-on support during lab testing and certification activities, working directly with test labs and internal stakeholders.
• Create, maintain, and control technical documentation, including requirements, specifications, and design documents for hardware systems.
• Prepare and maintain verification, validation, and test reports that demonstrate product compliance and performance.
• Develop and maintain manufacturing documentation and work instructions to support consistent, high-quality production.
• Contribute to customer-facing technical documentation as required to support product integration and use.
• Stay current on new and emerging technologies in power electronics, LED systems, embedded controllers, interfaces, manufacturing methods, components, test techniques, and regulatory standards.
• Contribute ideas that improve product performance, manufacturability, reliability, and cost, while engaging in constructive technical debate.
• Collaborate effectively within a cross-functional team environment, sharing knowledge and supporting continuous improvement across engineering and operations.

Essential Skills

• At least 10 years of hands-on experience in electronic hardware design and product development.
• At least 7 years of experience designing power electronics for high-performance LED applications.
• At least 7 years of experience in embedded hardware and mixed-signal design, including microcontrollers and analog signal conditioning.
• Strong proficiency with Altium Designer and Altium 365, with capability at an advanced level (approximately 8/10 proficiency).
• At least 7 years of experience managing Bills of Materials (BOMs) across the full product lifecycle for products in production.
• Proven experience applying Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Test (DFT) principles in real production environments.
• At least 7 years of experience managing compliance and regulatory testing, including UL certification.
• Recent experience (within the last 2 years) working in a cross-functional team environment.
• Expertise in electronic hardware design, embedded hardware, and mixed-signal design for industrial or high-reliability applications.
• Ability to perform schematic capture, PCB design, and component selection for complex power and control electronics.
• Strong analytical and debugging skills for prototype bring-up, performance characterization, and root-cause analysis.
• Ability to create and maintain comprehensive technical documentation, including specifications, test reports, and manufacturing instructions.
• Effective communication skills and the ability to collaborate across engineering, manufacturing, and test teams.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience using Python for test automation, data analysis, or engineering workflows.
• Experience with LabVIEW for validation or manufacturing test development.
• Experience in one or more of the following markets: automotive or emergency vehicle electronics, intelligent transportation systems, or industrial and hazardous location signaling products.
• Familiarity with European compliance requirements and EN standards.
• Experience supporting custom OEM product development and customer-specific solutions.
• Hands-on experience with Altium 365 collaboration features for design data management.
• Experience developing and optimizing test fixtures, automation scripts, and data capture processes.
• Adaptable and self-driven mindset, comfortable operating in a fast-paced, hands-on, small-company environment.
• Strong teamwork skills, with the ability to collaborate across functions to resolve issues and drive innovation.
• Detail-oriented approach with a passion for producing high-quality, reliable, and well-documented hardware solutions.
• Interest in continuous improvement, knowledge sharing, and contributing to process and product enhancements.

Work Environment

You will work in a smaller, tightly knit engineering team with in-house manufacturing on site, enabling close collaboration between design, test, and production. The facility offers a comfortable, climate-controlled environment with strong air conditioning and a hands-on lab and production setting. The organization is financially stable, with strong revenue performance and growth projected in the coming years. The culture emphasizes a supportive, family-like atmosphere, where collaboration, practical execution, adaptability, and technical curiosity are highly valued. Flexible work hours are available within a two-week, 80-hour framework (for example, typical schedules such as 7:00–3:00 or 8:00–4:00), allowing for work-life balance while maintaining a strong on-site presence to support hardware development and manufacturing activities. Competitive compensation and benefits are offered, along with meaningful ownership of product execution and exposure to multiple regulated and industrial market segments.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Gilbert, AZ.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $160000.00 - $185000.00/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 onsite position in Gilbert,AZ.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Apr 30, 2026.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I is embedded into our culture through:

• Hiring diverse talent
• Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection
• Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes
• Ensuring growth opportunities for our people

Actalent is an equal opportunity employer.