I/O Electrical Hardware Design Engineer

Location: Sterling Heights, MI

Employment Type: Contract | Hours: Full-Time; occasional evening and weekend overtime may be required

Pay Range: $73–$86 per hour

Perks & Benefits: Competitive compensation, professional development opportunities, hands-on engineering experience, and career growth within the defense industry.

About the Role

CPI is seeking an experienced I/O Electrical Hardware Design Engineer to support our client in the design, development, testing, and integration of ruggedized electrical hardware for advanced military vehicle systems. In this role, you will lead circuit board and electrical subsystem development, working with cross-functional engineering teams to deliver reliable hardware solutions from concept through production. This opportunity is ideal for a seasoned electrical engineer with strong PCB design expertise and experience developing complex digital and analog hardware systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop electrical components, circuit boards, and subsystems for I/O products, including body controller applications.
• Develop hardware requirements, schematics, PCB layouts, and electrical designs using industry best practices.
• Design and integrate I/O interfaces, including RS-422, RS-485, RS-232, SSI, CAN, analog, discrete, and power I/O.
• Support the complete hardware development lifecycle, including concept development, design, debugging, testing, qualification, and production.
• Develop Product Design Functional Specifications (PDFS), provide supplier technical support, and evaluate supplier design compliance.
• Perform circuit design, component selection, procurement support, and prototype hardware development and debugging.
• Conduct system architecture evaluations, engineering trade studies, technical reviews, and hardware design assessments.
• Develop and review hardware requirements documentation, test plans, and engineering design solutions.
• Support Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) investigations to identify and resolve hardware-related technical issues.
• Manage component obsolescence across multiple platforms and develop engineering design fixes.
• Support Request for Proposal (RFP) technical development, evaluations, and response trade studies.
• Apply hardware Integrated Product Support (IPS) processes throughout project phases.
• Maintain accurate engineering records, including design changes, hardware revisions, debugging activities, and configuration updates.
• Collaborate with suppliers, engineering teams, and program stakeholders to resolve technical challenges and ensure successful product delivery.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering.
• Minimum of 12 years of applicable electrical hardware design and development experience.
• Experience with PCB design, including schematic development, layout practices, and circuit board integration.
• Ability to use engineering development, debugging, and testing tools.
• Knowledge of electrical hardware design, testing, troubleshooting, and validation processes.
• Strong analytical, technical problem-solving, and multitasking abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Strong documentation and recordkeeping skills, with attention to design changes and hardware revisions.
• Ability to work occasional evening and weekend overtime as required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience developing electrical hardware for military ground combat vehicles or defense applications.
• Experience with digital and analog circuit design, including power and thermal analysis.
• Proficiency in schematic development, circuit simulation, component selection, and PCB layout.
• Experience with embedded microcontroller hardware and programming languages such as C, C++, and Visual Studio.
• Knowledge of high-speed and industry-standard interfaces, including PCIe, DDR, USB, SATA, RS-422/485, MIL-STD-1553, Ethernet, CAN, and solid-state drives.
• Familiarity with graphics and video interfaces, including HDMI, DisplayPort, HD-SDI, RS-170, and LVDS.
• Experience with FPGA design and simulation using Xilinx toolsets.
• Knowledge of EMI/EMC requirements and high-speed signal integrity design practices.
• Familiarity with military electrical design and testing standards, including MIL-STD-1275, MIL-STD-461, MIL-STD-464, and MIL-STD-810.
• Experience applying Six Sigma methodologies, Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA), and reliability analysis.

Additional Details

• Work Location: Sterling Heights, Michigan.
• Work Environment: Engineering-focused environment supporting advanced electrical hardware development and military vehicle technologies.
• Overtime: Occasional evening and weekend overtime may be required.
• Security Clearance: This position may require eligibility to obtain a U.S. security clearance.

Why Join CPI?

• Exciting, research-driven projects with real-world impact.
• Opportunities for ongoing learning and career development.
• Competitive perks and incentives tailored to each contract position.

About Us

Contract Professionals, Inc. (CPI), founded by an Air Force veteran, is an award-winning talent solutions company connecting top talent with leading employers in defense, aerospace, and mobility industries.

https://www.cpijobs.com/