Sr. Hardware Design Engineer

Sr. Hardware Design Engineer

This role focuses on a high-speed PCB design project centered on respinning an existing board due to component obsolescence. You will update schematics, replace end-of-life components, and execute full design validation to ensure the board continues to meet demanding high-speed performance requirements, potentially including changes to board materials. The position offers a balanced mix of lab and design work, with approximately half of your time spent on hands-on validation and characterization and half on design activities. You will own the complete lifecycle of the board, from design through validation, in an advanced electronics environment developing extremely high-speed test equipment. --- Responsibilities

- Own the full lifecycle of high-speed digital board design, from initial concept and schematic updates through validation and release.
- Update existing schematics to replace obsolete components while maintaining or improving overall system performance.
- Evaluate and select replacement components, ensuring compatibility with existing high-speed design constraints and interfaces.
- Support and execute a board respin, including potential changes to board materials that may impact high-speed performance.
- Perform comprehensive design validation (DV) of high-speed boards, including planning, execution, and documentation of validation activities.
- Conduct hands-on design verification and characterization in the lab using high-speed oscilloscopes, BERT/BER testers, pattern generators, and related equipment.
- Validate and characterize high-speed interfaces and signaling technologies such as SERDES, PAM4, NRZ, and multi-gigabit links.
- Analyze and optimize key high-speed parameters including phase noise, clock and data recovery (CDR), jitter, and signal integrity.
- Validate and troubleshoot high-speed protocols and standards such as PCIe, OIF-CEI, DDR4, DDR5, HBM (High Bandwidth Memory), USB, and HDMI.
- Perform power supply design and analysis as needed to support high-speed board operation and ensure robust power integrity.
- Develop, execute, and refine validation and verification protocols to ensure reliable, repeatable testing of high-speed boards.
- Use CAD tools for schematic capture and PCB design (excluding layout), and quickly become proficient with Cadence OrCAD for the project.
- Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams (such as layout, test, and systems engineering) to deliver high-quality, high-speed boards on schedule.
- Document design decisions, validation procedures, test setups, and results in a clear and organized manner.
- Identify, diagnose, and resolve issues uncovered during validation and characterization, driving design improvements where necessary.
- Contribute to continuous improvement of high-speed design and validation methodologies within the team.

--- Essential Skills

- Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) or equivalent degree.
- 1015+ years of experience in high-speed digital board design.
- Strong fundamental expertise in all areas of PCB design (excluding layout), with a proven track record of designing and delivering high-speed boards at 9 GHz and above.
- Hands-on experience with high-speed design verification and characterization in a lab environment.
- Proficiency using high-speed oscilloscopes, such as Keysight high-speed scopes (DCA-X, N1000 series, or equivalent), for signal analysis and characterization.
- Experience with BERT (Bit Error Rate Tester) and BER testing for high-speed links.
- Experience using pattern generators and related high-speed test equipment.
- Deep understanding of high-speed signaling technologies including SERDES, PAM4, NRZ, and multi-gigabit interfaces.
- Strong knowledge of phase noise, clock and data recovery (CDR), and related high-speed clocking concepts.
- Experience validating and working with high-speed protocols and standards such as PCIe, OIF-CEI, DDR4, DDR5, HBM (High Bandwidth Memory), USB, and HDMI.
- Proficiency in validation and verification methodologies, including development and execution of validation protocols.
- Ability to own and lead design and validation activities end-to-end, rather than only contributing as part of a larger team.
- Experience with PCB CAD tools for schematic capture, with the ability to quickly become proficient in Cadence OrCAD.

--- Additional Skills & Qualifications

- Experience designing or analyzing power supplies in support of high-speed digital boards.
- Familiarity with high-speed test equipment or advanced electronics used for extremely high-speed testers.
- Familiarity with industry standards and best practices for multi-gigabit signal integrity and power integrity.
- Ability to ramp up quickly on new tools, processes, and validation frameworks.
- Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills in complex high-speed systems.
- Clear communication skills for documenting designs, test results, and collaborating across engineering disciplines.

--- Work Environment This is a long-term contract opportunity supporting advanced electronics engineering for extremely high-speed testers. The role offers a balanced mix of approximately 50% lab-based work and 50% design-focused work. You will work extensively with high-speed test equipment, including high-bandwidth oscilloscopes, BERT/BER testers, pattern generators, and related instrumentation, as well as CAD tools such as Cadence OrCAD for schematic design. The position is structured as a hybrid role with an expectation that you are based in Oregon and able to travel to the site as needed. Because the work is hardware intensive, there may be periods where you will work on-site up to five days per week to support intensive lab validation and characterization activities. The environment emphasizes long-term engagement, with team members often staying for many years and opportunities for conversion to a more permanent arrangement for those interested. The culture centers on technical excellence, ownership of end-to-end design and validation, and collaboration in delivering high-performance, high-speed electronic systems. --- Skip the wait Book 15 minutes with me and I'll walk you through whether this is worth your time. Book a quick call ---
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Tualatin, OR.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $60.00 - $85.00/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 Tualatin,OR.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Oct 13, 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.