Hardware Engineer

Job Title: Hardware Engineer

Job Description

The Hardware Engineer plays a key role in deploying and validating advanced robotic and automation systems at customer sites. You troubleshoot and test hardware, bring new stations and systems online, and ensure manufacturing operations run smoothly. You act as the technical bridge between customers and third-party providers, connecting systems, running test orders, and overseeing validation before handing over fully operational solutions to the customer.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot and test hardware components and systems to ensure reliable performance.
• Serve as the technical connection between the customer and third-party providers to bring systems online and validate functionality.
• Perform station testing and connected performance runs to confirm manufacturing systems are up and running as designed.
• Connect robotic and automation solutions to customer production systems and verify proper integration.
• Run order tests on newly deployed systems, analyze results, and resolve any issues before customer sign-off.
• Manage the technical handover process once systems are validated, ensuring customers understand operation and performance.
• Use basic hand tools and diagnostic equipment to perform hands-on adjustments, repairs, and hardware modifications.
• Work within tight customer timelines, prioritizing tasks to meet project milestones and go-live dates.
• Adapt to new sites, disciplines, and customer environments every few months while maintaining consistent quality of work.
• Collaborate with project teams, operations staff, and customer personnel to support successful deployments and ongoing performance.
• Document testing procedures, results, and any troubleshooting steps taken to support future maintenance and improvements.
• Maintain a strong focus on safety and reliability when working with robotics and automation equipment.

Essential Skills

• Proven hardware troubleshooting experience with complex systems.
• Hands-on experience working with robotics or robotic systems.
• Ability to perform thorough hardware testing and validation in production environments.
• Comfort using basic hand tools for installation, adjustment, and repair tasks.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to diagnose and resolve hardware issues under time pressure.
• Ability to communicate clearly with customers and third-party partners during deployments and testing.
• Flexibility to work off-hours and weekends to meet tight customer timelines.
• Willingness and ability to travel 100% of the time and move to new sites every 3-4 months.
• Residence within approximately 30 minutes of a major airport to support frequent travel.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• Robotics experience in logistics, e-commerce, retail, or supply chain environments is highly beneficial.
• Experience in a high-growth, technology-driven industry is an advantage.
• Comfort working on cutting-edge robotics and automation projects with high visibility to customers.
• Ability to adapt quickly to new disciplines, technologies, and customer processes.
• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple tasks and deadlines in dynamic environments.

Work Environment

This role is field-based with 100% travel and frequent site changes. Approximately every 3-4 months, you will transition to a new customer site and potentially a new discipline, working directly within logistics, e-commerce, retail, or supply chain operations that use advanced robotics and automation. The environment is fast-paced with tight customer timelines, requiring flexibility to work off-hours and weekends to support system deployments, testing, and go-live activities. You will work hands-on with AI-powered robotic systems, automation equipment, and standard hand tools in production and warehouse settings. Living within about 30 minutes of a major airport is important to support continuous travel to various customer locations. The culture emphasizes innovation, high growth, and high visibility projects, offering the opportunity to work on cutting-edge robotics solutions in dynamic operational environments.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Perth Amboy, NJ.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $30.00/hr.

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 remote position.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 24, 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 actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com 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.