The Role
Designs, develops, tests, troubleshoots, and integrates complex electrical and PCB-based hardware for autonomous defense systems. Responsibilities include schematic capture, PCB layout, power and embedded electronics design, circuit analysis, board bring-up, qualification testing, hardware debugging, root-cause analysis, and production support. The engineer collaborates cross-functionally through the full product lifecycle and uses laboratory equipment, communication protocols, and technical documentation to deliver reliable hardware.
Summary Generated by Built In
Electrical Engineer
(6 month Contract)
(6 month Contract)
Sigma Design has collaborated with a leading defense technology company seeking an experienced Electrical Engineer to join their facility in Costa Mesa, CA. This company specializes in autonomous systems and next-generation defense technologies. This position is a 6-month contract with possibility of extension or hire and fully In-Office.
While on contract you are eligible for:
- Multiple options for medical insurance and dental insurance including some with FSA and HSA
- 401(k) with up to 4% company match
- 15-days of accrued PTO and 9 company paid holidays
- Quarterly bonus program
- Voluntary benefits: vision, long-term disability, and life insurance
- Monday – Friday, day shift
- $60.00 - $89.00 an hour. The hourly range for this role is an estimate based on multiple factors, including experience, education, training, skills, and business considerations. Actual compensation may vary based on the candidate’s qualifications and alignment with the role
Primary Function:
The Electrical Engineer is responsible for the design, development, testing, troubleshooting, and integration of complex electrical and electronic hardware. This role owns electrical hardware development throughout the product lifecycle, including schematic capture, PCB design and layout, component selection, circuit analysis, board bring-up, qualification, debugging, and system integration. The Electrical Engineer will work cross-functionally to design and deliver robust, reliable hardware capable of performing in demanding environments.
Essential Job Functions - Responsibilities:
- Own the full-cycle electrical hardware development process, translating system-level requirements into robust electrical designs from architecture through production.
- Perform schematic capture, component selection, and high-density PCB design and layout, with a strong preference for Altium Designer.
- Design and optimize power distribution and power supply circuits, motor controller circuits, actuator circuits, and embedded control electronics.
- Apply strong engineering fundamentals across analog, digital, and power electronics to develop reliable hardware.
- Perform circuit simulations, worst-case analysis (WCA), thermal analysis, DFMEA, and component derating to evaluate design performance and reliability.
- Conduct peer-level and cross-functional electrical design reviews, incorporating feedback from mechanical, thermal, software, test, quality, manufacturing, and systems engineering teams.
- Lead board bring-up, Design Verification Testing (DVT), qualification testing, functional testing, and hardware troubleshooting.
- Develop electrical test setups and utilize laboratory equipment including oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, thermal chambers, spectrum analyzers, function generators, DMMs, electronic loads, power supplies, and automated test equipment.
- Troubleshoot hardware using standard communication interfaces and protocols, including CAN, I2C, SPI, and Ethernet.
- Perform root cause and failure analysis for issues identified during development, testing, manufacturing, and field operations.
- Investigate electrical architectures and develop technical solutions for new and evolving product requirements.
- Partner with manufacturing and quality teams to identify and resolve production-related electrical failures and improve hardware manufacturability and reliability.
- Drive assigned electrical engineering workstreams from initial concept and architecture through prototype development, testing, integration, and production.
- Develop and maintain technical documentation, design specifications, test procedures, and engineering reports.
- Demonstrate strong ownership and initiative while independently driving technical work in a fast-paced engineering environment.
- Collaborate effectively across multiple engineering disciplines to deliver high-quality hardware solutions.
- Follow Business Technology policies to protect sensitive data and reduce information security occurrences.
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) or equivalent technical discipline required; Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering preferred.
- Minimum of 5 years of professional experience designing, testing, troubleshooting, and integrating complex electrical and PCB-based hardware.
- Strong technical background in analog, digital, and power electronics.
- Demonstrated ability to independently design PCBs, including schematic capture, component selection, layout, bring-up, debugging, and system integration.
- Deep proficiency with Altium Designer or an equivalent electrical schematic and PCB layout tool.
- Experience with LTSpice or equivalent circuit simulation software.
- Experience performing circuit simulations, worst-case analysis, thermal analysis, DFMEA, and component derating.
- Experience developing and executing electrical test setups, DVT, qualification testing, and functional testing.
- Proficiency using laboratory equipment including oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, thermal chambers, spectrum analyzers, function generators, DMMs, electronic loads, power supplies, and automated test equipment.
- Familiarity with CAN, I2C, SPI, Ethernet, and common MCU/CPU architectures.
- Experience with EMC/EMI considerations and electrical hardware designed for challenging environmental conditions, including vibration and temperature extremes.
- Experience performing root cause and failure analysis on manufacturing, test, and field failures.
- Experience with power electronics, motor control, pumps, motor drivers, or actuator systems preferred.
- Experience with MATLAB/Simulink for data analysis, control-loop modeling, or system simulation preferred.
- Strong technical writing, analytical, troubleshooting, communication, and problem-solving skills.
- Demonstrated ownership, initiative, and a proactive, go-getter approach to engineering challenges.
- Ability to work effectively in a highly collaborative, cross-functional engineering environment.
- Compliance (background check, ITAR, vaccine, etc.)
- ITAR - Permanent resident of the United States (“U.S. person” as defined by ITAR)
- Background - Pass a post-offer background verification.
- Security Clearance: Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. security clearance.
Standard office environment with normal amounts of office related conditions. Occasionally may be required to work in environmental conditions that emulate typical user environments in order to facilitate design testing and validation. Occasionally may be required to travel as required to other facilities, clients, or suppliers.
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or an equivalent technical discipline
- At least 5 years of professional experience designing, testing, troubleshooting, and integrating complex electrical and PCB-based hardware
- Strong background in analog, digital, and power electronics
- Ability to independently design PCBs, including schematic capture, component selection, layout, bring-up, debugging, and system integration
- Proficiency with Altium Designer or an equivalent electrical schematic and PCB layout tool
- Experience with LTSpice or equivalent circuit simulation software
- Experience with circuit simulations, worst-case analysis, thermal analysis, DFMEA, and component derating
- Experience developing and executing electrical test setups, DVT, qualification testing, and functional testing
- Proficiency using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, thermal chambers, spectrum analyzers, function generators, DMMs, electronic loads, power supplies, and automated test equipment
- Familiarity with CAN, I2C, SPI, Ethernet, and common MCU/CPU architectures
- Experience with EMC/EMI considerations and hardware designed for vibration and temperature extremes
- Experience performing root-cause and failure analysis on manufacturing, test, and field failures
- Strong technical writing, analytical, troubleshooting, communication, and problem-solving skills
- Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, cross-functional engineering environment
- U.S. person status as defined by ITAR, including U.S. permanent residency
- Ability to pass a post-offer background verification
- Eligibility to obtain and maintain an active U.S. security clearance
- Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering
- Experience with power electronics, motor control, pumps, motor drivers, or actuator systems
- Experience with MATLAB/Simulink for data analysis, control-loop modeling, or system simulation
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The Company
What We Do
SIGMADESIGN is a product design and engineering firm headquartered in Camas, WA. We offer product development services from concept through production. SIGMADESIGN provides turnkey solutions for projects through solid engineering, broad experience, and focused execution. We're experts in IoT, Consumer Electronics, Recreational Products, and Aerospace & Defense. The firm was founded in 1994 to serve product design needs of the US Pacific Northwest. With multiple locations in the US and an office in Singapore, we serve a world-wide client base. Our expertise and services can take an idea from concept through production. We enjoy the opportunity to assist at any stage in the process. Services SIGMADESIGN provides services ranging from industrial design through manufacturing. These include: • Industrial Design • Systems Engineering • Mechanical Engineering • Electrical Engineering • Software/Firmware Engineering • Soft Goods Development • Rapid Prototyping • Machine Shop/Part Fabrication • Product Testing • Manufacturing • Logistics and Shipping
