Advanced Electrical Engineer Jobs in Potomac, MD

Job Title: Senior Electrical Engineer

Job Description

The Senior Electrical Engineer designs, develops, and integrates advanced electrical systems that support unmanned and autonomous platforms, including aerial and surface vehicles. This role leads the creation of critical electrical subsystems such as power distribution, avionics integration, control systems, and communications hardware, ensuring they meet performance, reliability, manufacturability, and cost objectives. Operating with a high degree of autonomy, the Senior Electrical Engineer collaborates closely with aerospace, mechanical, and manufacturing teams to deliver robust electrical architectures that enable rapid prototyping, scalable production, and mission readiness. This position serves as a technical leader and mentor, helping establish engineering best practices and advancing next‑generation unmanned and autonomous systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of electrical subsystems for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and unmanned surface vehicles (USVs), including power distribution, control systems, communications hardware, and sensor integration.
• Contribute to overall electrical system architecture and integration across multiple vehicle platforms, ensuring cohesive and reliable system performance.
• Design and prototype electrical components and assemblies, including printed circuit boards (PCBs), wiring harnesses, and embedded control systems.
• Translate clean-sheet requirements into detailed electrical designs, including PCB layouts and harness designs that meet system and regulatory requirements.
• Perform total electrical loading analysis, considering battery and generator capacity, to ensure adequate power availability and system stability.
• Design circuits for phasing and determine component specifications such as resistors, transistors, wire types, and other critical elements.
• Design starter generators and alternators, including magnet count, wattage, and current levels, to meet platform power needs.
• Manage sensor power consumption and ensure efficient power allocation across all system components.
• Conduct thermal loading analysis, determine the need for heat sinks or fans, and develop thermal management solutions for electrical systems.
• Develop electrical solutions that can be handed off to drafters for detailed drawings and manufacturing documentation.
• Collaborate closely with mechanical, aerospace, and manufacturing teams to ensure seamless system integration and resolve interdisciplinary design challenges.
• Conduct electrical analysis, simulation, and testing to validate system performance, reliability, and safety under various operating conditions.
• Support rapid prototyping and iterative design cycles to accelerate system development and refine designs based on test results and operational feedback.
• Troubleshoot electrical systems during bench testing, integration activities, and field operations, resolving issues efficiently and effectively.
• Evaluate and select electrical and electronic components to balance performance, cost, availability, and supply chain resilience.
• Support the development of manufacturing processes for electrical systems, including PCB fabrication, electronic assembly, and testing procedures.
• Participate in design reviews, technical planning sessions, and system integration efforts across multiple programs and platforms.
• Mentor junior engineers, providing technical guidance and supporting the development of electrical engineering standards, documentation, and best practices.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in electrical engineering, with a focus on designing electrical systems for complex systems, preferably in the aerospace or defense industry.
• Proven track record of successfully leading design and prototyping projects for electrical systems from concept through implementation.
• Strong understanding of power distribution, system shielding, antennas, radio links, control systems, communication protocols, and sensor integration.
• Hands-on experience designing PCBs and wiring harnesses, including layout, component selection, and manufacturability considerations.
• Experience performing total loading and thermal analysis, including battery and generator capacity assessments and thermal management solutions.
• Ability to design circuits for phasing and determine detailed component specifications such as resistors, transistors, and wire types.
• Experience designing starter generators and alternators, including magnet count, wattage, and current levels.
• Proficiency with CAD software for electrical design and familiarity with electrical simulation tools.
• Familiarity with advanced manufacturing techniques, including PCB manufacturing, electronic assembly, and testing.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a focus on innovation, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or a related field is preferred.
• Experience working on unmanned and autonomous systems, including UAVs and USVs.
• Background in aerospace or defense programs, particularly mission-critical or nationally significant projects.
• Experience with Solid Edge or similar CAD tools for supporting mechanical and electrical integration.
• Familiarity with in-house rapid prototyping tools and advanced technologies, such as 3D printing, for iterative design and development.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor junior engineers and contribute to the creation of engineering standards and documentation.
• Comfort operating in an agile environment that emphasizes engineering judgment and technical ownership.

Work Environment

The role operates in an agile engineering environment that emphasizes technical ownership, creative freedom, and rapid innovation. Engineers work on mission-critical, nationally significant programs in a well-funded setting that values engineering judgment over bureaucracy and minimizes constant external oversight. Teams have direct access to advanced tools and technology, including in-house 3D printing and other rapid prototyping capabilities, enabling them to secure resources quickly without significant supply-chain delays. The work schedule offers flexible hours and a 9/80 work week, supporting work-life balance while maintaining high productivity. The local team includes experienced mechanical and electrical engineers, fostering close collaboration and a multidisciplinary approach to solving complex engineering challenges.

This is a Contract position based out of Rockville, MD.

The pay range for this position is $70.00 - $84.00/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)

This is a hybrid position in Rockville,MD.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 11, 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.