Hardware Engineer

About the role

This role supports a major hardware modernization effort for a mission-critical real-time system. The Hardware Engineer is responsible for creating, updating, and maintaining hardware documentation, engineering change notices and orders, and engineering drawings and schematics for a large-scale hardware integration program. The position involves working closely with a multidisciplinary team to support hardware updates, integration, and testing at various sites across the country, ensuring high reliability and compliance in a complex, highly regulated environment.

Responsibilities

• Create and update Computer Aided Design (CAD) drawings, Microsoft Visio drawings, cable marking specifications, retrofit and workbook installation instructions, bills of material (BOMs), and parts lists.
• Support computer rack and operator console builds.
• Participate in the full Systems Engineering hardware design lifecycle, including research, development, technical analyses, cost estimates, process improvements, and technical support to meet program objectives.
• Develop hardware designs, electrical wiring diagrams, cable schematics, interconnect diagrams, and cable lists to support system installation and integration activities.
• Support hardware fabrication, assembly, integration, testing, troubleshooting, repair, and modification activities using standard engineering principles and diagnostic tools.
• Collaborate with vendors, suppliers, and cross-functional teams including Software Engineering, Systems Engineering, Site Activation, Procurement, Manufacturing, and Program Management.
• Develop and maintain engineering drawings, source control drawings, system specifications, verification procedures, and other technical documentation.
• Support requirements analysis, project planning, schedule development, status reporting, and technical execution activities based on Statements of Work (SOWs).
• Support engineering change activities, including preparation and processing of Engineering Change Notices (ECNs), Engineering Change Requests (ECRs), discrepancy resolution, and configuration management processes.
• Utilize configuration management software and processes to manage tangible hardware baselines and formal design changes.
• Contribute to quality assurance activities related to hardware documentation, configuration control, and system integration.
• Support hardware integration, installation, and troubleshooting activities in lab or production environments.
• Use systems integration software and related tools to assist with integration and testing tasks as needed.
• Support occasional extended work hours or off-shift activities as required to meet integration, testing, or deployment schedules.
• Communicate progress, risks, and technical issues clearly to project stakeholders and team members.

Qualifications

• Experience with tangible hardware configuration management, dealing with engineering change notices and orders.
• Experience with complex, highly regulated systems, ideally government systems.
• Experience with CAD software to make adjustments to schematics and bill of materials (BOMs) for engineering drawings.
• Experience supporting hardware engineering activities such as system integration, hardware documentation, cable design, CAD modeling, testing, or technical troubleshooting.
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline.
• 4-8 years of relevant experience.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, and Visio.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Proficiency with AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Inventor, Visio, or other CAD software tools.
• Proficiency in designing parts and assemblies using 3D modeling software.
• Experience with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and/or Machine Learning (ML) technologies.
• Experience using automation methods or scripting techniques to improve technical documentation or engineering workflows.
• Experience working in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) environments.
• Familiarity with air traffic control systems or other mission-critical real-time systems.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills applied to hardware design and integration challenges.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills for documenting designs and presenting technical information.

Work Environment

The position is based in an office environment.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Gaithersburg, MD.

Pay

The pay range for this position is $50.00 - $65.00/hr.

Benefits

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).

Schedule

This is a fully onsite position in Gaithersburg, MD.