Hardware Systems Engineer

Job Title: Senior Hardware Systems EngineerJob Description

We are seeking experienced Senior Hardware Systems Engineers to lead the development, integration, deployment, and sustainment of advanced mission systems. You will ensure that high-quality technical solutions meet customer requirements, operational objectives, and performance expectations across the full system lifecycle. In this hands-on role, you will apply systems engineering best practices, drive hardware lifecycle and configuration management, and lead reliability improvement initiatives while collaborating closely with engineering, manufacturing, suppliers, quality, and operations teams. This position offers the opportunity to work with modern open-source technologies on a new program, shape systems engineering processes from the ground up, and grow into a lead systems engineer role on mission-connected defense projects.

Responsibilities

• Apply full life cycle systems engineering principles and methodologies to complex technical challenges and integrated system architectures.
• Support the complete system lifecycle, including requirements development, concept of operations (CONOPS), design, integration, testing, deployment, and sustainment.
• Develop technical solutions that balance performance, cost, schedule, and operational requirements.
• Ensure compliance with security, reliability, and mission assurance requirements across all phases of the program.
• Develop, manage, trace, and validate system-level requirements to ensure alignment with customer and mission needs.
• Generate and maintain engineering artifacts such as Interface Control Documents (ICDs), technical specifications, engineering drawings, Bills of Materials (BOMs), and verification documentation.
• Support major technical and program reviews including System Requirements Review (SRR), Preliminary Design Review (PDR), Critical Design Review (CDR), Test Readiness Review (TRR), and related milestone events.
• Support hardware lifecycle activities including logistics planning, configuration management, and long-term sustainment strategies.
• Maintain hardware baselines and implement approved configuration changes in coordination with cross-functional teams.
• Create and maintain technical procedures, work instructions, and engineering documentation to support consistent execution and knowledge transfer.
• Perform discrepancy investigations, including root cause analysis and corrective action development for failed hardware and systems.
• Evaluate returned hardware and determine appropriate repair, reuse, replacement, or disposition strategies based on technical and programmatic considerations.
• Analyze hardware reliability trends and recommend improvements to enhance system performance, maintainability, and availability.
• Coordinate with suppliers and hardware vendors to resolve technical issues and ensure components meet performance and quality expectations.
• Support component qualification efforts and technology refresh initiatives for computing, networking, and communications subsystems.
• Participate in hardware trade studies and technical evaluations of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) computing, networking, and communications technologies.
• Support engineering change management activities and product improvement initiatives throughout the product lifecycle.
• Support hardware and software integration activities, ensuring seamless interaction between subsystems and overall system functionality.
• Execute system build, initialization, verification, and acceptance test procedures in factory, site, and operational environments.
• Develop, improve, and automate configuration and installation processes to increase efficiency and reduce integration risk.
• Support factory, site, and operational testing activities as required, including troubleshooting and resolving issues discovered during test events.
• Contribute to the design and implementation of digital signal processing (DSP), signal processing, and radio frequency (RF) solutions as they relate to system hardware and architecture.
• Support or apply Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) practices and SysML-based models where applicable to improve system understanding and documentation.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to modernize hardware and infrastructure, drive continuous improvement initiatives, and support ongoing system enhancements.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship within the systems engineering team, helping to establish and refine systems engineering processes for the program.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• At least 5 years of systems engineering experience supporting complex technical programs.
• Experience supporting hardware-based systems, including computing platforms, networking equipment, or communications systems.
• Background in requirements development, including capturing, managing, tracing, and validating system-level requirements.
• Experience with system integration, verification, and configuration management across the full system lifecycle.
• Hands-on experience troubleshooting hardware, software, or integrated system issues in laboratory, factory, or operational environments.
• Experience with full life cycle systems engineering, including CONOPS development, PDR, CDR, and other formal design reviews.
• Experience with hardware selection and evaluation of COTS components for computing, networking, and communications applications.
• Ability to develop and support test plans and test procedures for system verification and acceptance.
• Experience working with digital signal processing (DSP), signal processing, RF, radio frequency, or satellite-related systems.
• Familiarity with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) concepts and SysML-based approaches.
• Active Secret security clearance.
• Ability to travel up to approximately 15% of the time (about two weeks per quarter), including both CONUS and OCONUS locations.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Master's degree in a relevant technical discipline is preferred.
• Experience supporting satellite communications (SATCOM), communications networks, or mission systems.
• Experience with MBSE tools and methodologies beyond conceptual familiarity.
• Familiarity with Agile development environments and practices.
• Knowledge of DoDAF architecture frameworks and systems architecture development.
• Experience conducting reliability, maintainability, and availability (RMA) analyses.
• Experience supporting field deployments, installation, integration, and operational transition activities.
• Familiarity with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and configuration management systems.
• Experience supporting government, defense, aerospace, or national security programs.
• Interest in growing into a lead systems engineer role and helping to define and implement formal systems engineering processes for a new program.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams including engineering, manufacturing, suppliers, quality assurance, and operations.

Work Environment

This role operates in a hybrid work model based in Warrenton, VA, with a typical schedule of two days per week onsite and remote work for the remaining days. During the first one to two months, you will work onsite full-time to complete training and integrate with the team and systems. The position is located in a technology park environment that offers nearby amenities such as a brewery, winery, and fitness facilities. You will work in an open office setting that feels similar to a commercial technology environment, using laptops and modern open-source technologies while supporting a defense mission. The team consists of more than 90 professionals, providing a collaborative and supportive environment with opportunities to influence architecture and processes early in the project lifecycle. The organization holds prime contracts, giving the team direct control over the work and close connection to the mission. Compensation is structured so that you are paid for the hours you actually work, and the culture emphasizes a fun, flexible, and engaging workplace while remaining closely tied to mission-critical outcomes.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Warrenton, VA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $55.00 - $80.00/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 hybrid position in Warrenton,VA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 23, 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.