Electrical Engineer (HW Characterization & Validation)

Position Title: Electrical Engineer (HW Characterization & Validation)

Position Description: Protingent Staffing has an exciting Contract Electrical Engineer opportunity located in Bellevue, WA.

Job Description:

• This role supports a high-visibility hardware program for next-generation automated logistics platforms.
• This position focuses directly on hardware validation, testing, lab characterization, and circuit-level optimization of advanced electrical assemblies.
• This is a hands-on electrical engineering role for a professional who thrives in a hardware lab environment.
• Working closely with senior architects, you will bridge the gap between design and volume production by executing comprehensive validation plans, conducting detailed root-cause failure analysis, and refining board-level hardware designs.

Job Responsibilities:

• Test & Validation Execution: Develop and execute rigorous electrical test plans, including hardware bring-up, signal integrity testing, and design validation (DVT) to establish acceptance criteria for production.
• Circuit Optimization: Design and optimize electrical circuits, printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs), and multi-component sub-systems with clear focus on component selection, reliability, and manufacturability.
• Schematic Capture: Create and manage detailed engineering schematics and design documentation using standard ECAD software suites.
• Root Cause Analysis: Drive lab-based troubleshooting and root-cause analysis (RCA) on early-stage hardware anomalies, implementing circuit or schematic modifications to mitigate risks.
• Cross-Functional Integration: Partner with internal software and mechanical engineering teams to resolve firmware/hardware behavioral mismatches and support physical sub-system integration.

Job Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent.
• Experience: 4+ years of hands-on experience in electrical hardware design, lab characterization, and validation of consumer electronics, industrial, or automotive hardware systems.
• Testing Focus: Proven experience building and driving functional specs, hardware design validation plans (DVP&R), and low-level component bench testing.
• ECAD Tools: Solid proficiency with ECAD schematic capture software, specifically Cadence OrCAD and/or Altium Designer.
• Lab Equipment Mastery: Expert familiarity using bench tools including high-speed oscilloscopes, digital multimeters, logic analyzers, and soldering equipment for circuit debugging.

Preferred Job Qualifications:

• Education: Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Advanced Layout Exposure: Experience utilizing Cadence Allegro or Altium for board-level design reviews or layout changes.
• Prototyping: Experience developing custom test jigs or platform fixtures to accelerate hardware validation cycles.
• Compliance: Familiarity with hardware regulatory testing protocols, automotive standards, or consumer electronics compliance.

Job Details:

• Job Type: Contract
• Location: Bellevue, WA (Onsite)
• Pay Rate Range: $90– $125/hr.

Benefits Package: Protingent offers competitive salaries, insurance plan options (HDHP plan or POS plan), education/certification reimbursement, pre-tax commuter benefits, Paid Time Off (PTO), and an administered 401k plan.

About Protingent: Protingent is a niche provider of top Engineering and IT talent to product development companies nationwide. Protingent exists to make a positive impact and contribution to the lives of others as well as our community by providing relevant, rewarding, and exciting work opportunities for our candidates.