Principal Electrical Design Engineer

Job Title: Principal Electrical Design Engineer

Job Description

The Principal Electrical Design Engineer leads and advises design teams on highly complex and unique embedded hardware projects from concept through production. This role provides technical leadership in system architecture, embedded hardware design, and PCB layout while ensuring robust, manufacturable, and innovative solutions. The Principal Engineer serves as a subject-matter expert whose knowledge matches or exceeds that of customers, consults on technical requirements during quoting, and oversees design progression throughout the product development lifecycle. The position also plays a key role in mentoring engineers, building design capability across the organization, and driving continuous improvement in engineering practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead and advise embedded hardware design and validation activities for significantly challenging and unique product applications.

• Lead or provide guidance on new and complex embedded hardware designs and PCB layouts using standard industry tools.

• Deliver solutions that require multiple electrical design competencies, including power, digital, analog, and RF, with limited supervision.

• Lead and advise system architecture analysis, clarify design requirements, and define appropriate electrical architectures for project teams.

• Evaluate and select electronic components, and provide recommendations to component manufacturers on product roadmaps and feature enhancements.

• Communicate technical aspects of projects clearly and effectively to customers and lead customer technical engagements when needed.

• Drive design innovation and contribute to the development of patentable concepts and solutions.

• Lead the resolution of complex design issues, managing technical trade-offs and ensuring optimal design decisions.

• Train, coach, and mentor other engineers in design analysis, tools, and best practices to build team capability.

• Coordinate with professional networks to address unique issues related to industry-specific regulatory and safety standards.

• Lead electrical engineering projects with multiple engineers, ensuring alignment with project milestones and technical objectives.

• Lead cross-functional and electrical engineering design reviews to ensure robust designs and adherence to standards.

• Assess projects, identify and articulate technical risks, and support the development of project milestones within a stage-gate process.

• Develop projects using a structured product lifecycle or stage-gate process (PLCQ), ensuring disciplined execution from concept to production.

• Perform other related duties and responsibilities as assigned to support engineering and organizational goals.

Essential Skills

• Extensive experience in embedded hardware design, with at least 5-7 years of relevant industry experience or equivalent key competency.

• Proven ability to lead and advise embedded hardware design and validation for complex and unique product applications.

• Strong expertise in PCB design and layout, including the use of standard PCB design tools.

• Broad knowledge of high-complexity electrical engineering projects requiring multiple design specializations such as power supply theory, digital theory, analog theory, and RF design.

• In-depth knowledge and practical use of key development tools and design standards, including component derating, DFMEA, oscilloscopes, multimeters, and simulation tools.

• Demonstrated ability to define and analyze system architectures and clarify technical requirements for design teams.

• Strong communication skills with a solid command of English, including the ability to explain complex technical topics to customers and internal stakeholders.

• Ability to influence others and share best practices across teams and projects.

• Experience working effectively as part of a global engineering team.

• Proven capability to assess project risks, articulate them clearly, and support the development of realistic project milestones.

• Experience leading electrical engineering projects involving multiple engineers and cross-functional teams.

• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional and electrical engineering design reviews.

• Experience mentoring and developing less experienced engineers.

• Electrical Engineering degree (BSEE, MSEE, PhD) or equivalent education and experience.

• Ability to develop projects within a structured stage-gate or product lifecycle process (PLCQ).

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience coordinating with professional networks to resolve issues related to industry-specific regulatory and safety standards.

• Track record of driving design innovations and contributing to patentable ideas or solutions.

• Ability to recommend component enhancements and influence component manufacturer roadmaps based on project needs.

• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to manage complex design trade-offs under constraints.

• Comfortable leading customer-facing technical discussions and representing engineering in external engagements.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently with limited supervision while providing clear direction to project teams.

• Experience in applying DFMEA and other reliability-focused methodologies in design.

• Familiarity with product development in high-growth or evolving environments.

• Willingness to perform additional duties as needed to support project and organizational objectives.

Work Environment

The role is based in a growing plant environment that supports complex electrical and embedded hardware development. You will work closely with a global engineering team and cross-functional partners, leveraging standard electronic design, PCB layout, measurement, and simulation tools such as oscilloscopes, multimeters, and analysis software. The setting emphasizes structured product lifecycle and stage-gate processes, collaborative design reviews, and continuous improvement in engineering practices. The environment supports innovation, professional networking for regulatory and safety topics, and offers opportunities to mentor others and lead high-impact projects.

Interested? Questions? Reach out to Recruiter Sophia Fontana using this link: https://talentassistant.actalentservices.com/assistant/bookings/OhUyEyl5

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Prince George, VA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $60.62 - $109.13/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

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 Prince George,VA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 16, 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.