About this role
Job Title: Electrical Engineer – Aerospace and Defense Systems Job Description
This role focuses on designing, developing, analyzing, and documenting electrical systems, subsystems, and components for aerospace and defense applications. You will work across the full product lifecycle—from requirements and design through integration, testing, deployment, and sustainment—while collaborating closely with cross-functional engineering teams. The position offers the opportunity to contribute to mission-critical technologies that support national security and real-world defense operations.
Responsibilities
- Design, develop, analyze, and document electrical systems, subsystems, and components for aerospace and defense applications.
- Create detailed electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, interface control documents (ICDs), and engineering drawings.
- Develop analog and digital circuit designs for embedded systems and electronic assemblies.
- Support power distribution, signal integrity, grounding, and EMI/EMC considerations in electrical designs.
- Perform electrical calculations, component selection, and design trade studies to optimize performance, cost, and reliability.
- Contribute to system architecture development and support hardware integration activities with other subsystems.
- Participate in requirements analysis, system design reviews, and technical interchange meetings.
- Develop engineering test procedures, validation plans, and verification documentation to ensure design compliance.
- Conduct laboratory testing, troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and failure investigations for electrical hardware.
- Support prototype builds, qualification testing, and transition of designs into production.
- Collaborate closely with Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Software Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality Assurance, and Program Management teams.
- Ensure all engineering designs comply with customer specifications, military standards, and applicable regulatory requirements.
- Prepare clear technical reports, engineering analyses, design documentation, and technical presentations.
- Provide engineering support during production, field installations, and customer demonstrations.
- Assist with proposal development, including technical volume preparation and engineering estimates, as needed.
- Support continuous process improvement initiatives and promote engineering best practices across projects.
Essential Skills
- At least 3 years of electrical engineering experience.
- At least 3 years of experience designing electrical hardware and electronic systems.
- Professional experience using electrical testing equipment such as oscilloscopes, digital multimeters, logic analyzers, power supplies, and spectrum analyzers.
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings and technical specifications accurately.
- Professional knowledge of analog and digital electronics.
- Proficiency in SolidWorks at an intermediate level (approximately 5/10).
- Basic working knowledge of Altium and ORCAD (approximately 3/10).
- Strong critical thinking skills and sound engineering judgment.
- Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to prioritize multiple engineering tasks simultaneously.
- Excellent documentation and technical writing abilities.
- Effective interpersonal and collaboration skills for working with cross-functional teams.
- Demonstrated continuous improvement mindset and ability to thrive in a fast-paced, mission-focused environment.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Experience supporting Department of Defense (DoD) programs.
- Knowledge of military standards such as MIL-STD-461, MIL-STD-810, MIL-STD-704, and IPC standards.
- Experience with FPGA-based systems and embedded hardware.
- Experience with power electronics and motor controls.
- Experience with RF systems and communications equipment.
- Experience with electro-mechanical systems.
- Familiarity with Systems Engineering principles.
- Experience using requirements management tools.
- Knowledge of configuration management and change control processes.
- Experience supporting manufacturing and production engineering activities.
- Eligibility to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
Work Environment
This is a full-time, on-site role in a collaborative engineering environment. The position is scheduled for five days per week, with typical working hours of either 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. or 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. You will work closely with multidisciplinary engineering and program teams on mission-critical aerospace and defense projects, gaining exposure to advanced technologies and complex real-world challenges across the full product lifecycle.
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 $53.00 - $75.00/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 Gilbert,AZ.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Oct 8, 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.