Hardware Engineer

About the role

This role is an exciting opportunity for an experienced hardware engineer to design and develop a System-on-Module (SOM) based on an Intel Core Ultra processor that interfaces with a carrier card. You will contribute directly to bringing a new drone-focused product to market, working end-to-end on processor, board, and system-level design activities.

Responsibilities

• Create processor and PCIe architectures using Intel platforms, ensuring robust and reliable system-level performance.
• Perform high-speed PCB design and layout at frequencies of 5 GHz and above, incorporating signal integrity and power integrity considerations.
• Develop power delivery solutions, including power plane analysis to ensure stable and efficient operation of the SOM and carrier card.
• Conduct thermal analysis and address system-level thermal considerations to maintain performance and reliability in drone applications.
• Lead and participate in board bring-up activities, including debugging and validation of new hardware designs.
• Capture and refine hardware and system requirements, ensuring they are clearly documented and validated against design outcomes.
• Prepare thorough design documentation and actively participate in design reviews, incorporating feedback to improve the hardware architecture.
• Plan and execute test activities, including creating test plans, test cases, procedures, and reports for hardware validation.
• Support electrical qualification and certification efforts by providing technical input, test data, and documentation.
• Collaborate closely with a small engineering team while also working independently to drive assigned design and validation tasks.
• Contribute to the development of a new drone market product by applying hardware design best practices and innovative solutions.

Requirements

• Strong processor design experience, including work with Intel platforms and familiarity with Intel Core Ultra processors.
• Hands-on PCIe design experience, covering interface design, integration, and validation.
• Proficiency in high-speed PCB design and layout at 5 GHz and higher, with demonstrated application of signal integrity and power integrity principles.
• Experience in power delivery design, including detailed power plane analysis for complex boards.
• Capability in thermal analysis and system-level thermal management for electronic hardware.
• Practical experience with board bring-up, including hardware debugging and validation of new designs.
• Able to capture and validate hardware and system requirements in a structured manner.
• Skill in preparing clear design documentation and participating in formal design reviews.
• Experience in test planning, including the creation of test plans, test cases, procedures, and detailed test reports.
• Experience in supporting electrical qualification and certification activities for hardware products.
• Able to work effectively both collaboratively in a small team and independently on assigned tasks.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Direct experience with Intel Core Ultra-based designs is highly desirable.
• Previous work on high-speed hardware design for embedded or drone-related applications is a plus.
• Familiarity with hardware design tools and PCB layout software used for complex, high-speed boards.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills for diagnosing hardware issues during bring-up and validation.
• Clear and concise communication skills for documenting designs and presenting in design reviews.
• Interest in contributing to a new product aimed at disrupting the drone market.

Work Environment

This is a part-time position that combines both onsite and remote work. You will typically be onsite once a week to participate in design reviews and to support testing and validation of boards using lab equipment and collaborative team sessions. There may be an opportunity to work with a small board at home for certain testing activities, allowing for flexibility in how you manage development and validation tasks. You will operate within a small, focused engineering team dedicated to bringing an innovative drone product to market, using modern hardware design, PCB layout, and test tools in a hands-on environment.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Waukesha, WI.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $50.00 - $90.00/hr.

Requirements

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)

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.