1

Contract Electrical Engineering Jobs in Raleigh, NC

Principal Electrical Engineer

Morrisville, NC ยท On-site

$130K - $159K/yr

Experience managing PCB fabricator and contract manufacturer relationships, including vendor qualification and supply chain risk mitigation. * B.S. in Electrical or Biomedical Engineering or a ...

Principal Electrical Engineer

Morrisville, NC ยท On-site

$130K - $159K/yr

Experience managing PCB fabricator and contract manufacturer relationships, including vendor qualification and supply chain risk mitigation. * B.S. in Electrical or Biomedical Engineering or a ...

Senior Electrical Engineer - Healthcare

Raleigh, NC ยท On-site

$94K - $123K/yr

... involving electrical engineering. * Technical training and development of staff. * Assist in ... meet contract specifications and technical standards to the client on time and within budget.

next page

Showing results 1-20

Contract Electrical Engineering information

See Raleigh, NC salary details

$49.1K

$108K

$163.3K

How much do contract electrical engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract electrical engineering in Raleigh, NC is $107,990.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $80,700.00 and $128,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges contract electrical engineers face when working with multiple clients simultaneously?

Contract electrical engineers often juggle several projects at once, which can make time management and prioritization challenging. Each client may have different expectations, communication styles, and project requirements, so adapting quickly and maintaining clear documentation is essential. Additionally, contract engineers need to stay up-to-date with various industry standards and ensure that their work complies with differing regulations for each client. Successful contract electrical engineers are proactive communicators and skilled at managing shifting deadlines to deliver high-quality results.

What is the difference between Contract Electrical Engineering vs Electrical Engineering?

AspectContract Electrical EngineeringElectrical Engineering
CredentialsTypically requires a relevant degree and professional licensing; often involves freelance or temporary certificationsRequires a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering; licensure (PE) is common for advanced roles
Work EnvironmentProject-based, flexible locations, often remote or on-site at client sitesOffice-based, research labs, or manufacturing facilities; more permanent employment
Employer & Industry UsageConsulting firms, contractors, freelance projects in construction, power, and automationManufacturers, tech companies, utilities, and government agencies

Contract Electrical Engineering involves temporary, project-specific work often with flexible locations, while Electrical Engineering typically refers to full-time roles within organizations. Both roles require relevant credentials, but contract roles emphasize adaptability and freelance work, whereas full-time electrical engineers focus on ongoing development and design within companies.

What are contract electrical engineers?

Contract electrical engineers are professionals who work on a temporary or project-specific basis to design, develop, test, and supervise the manufacturing and installation of electrical systems and equipment. Unlike full-time employees, they are usually hired for a set duration or to complete specific projects, offering flexibility to both employers and engineers. Their work can span industries such as construction, manufacturing, energy, and telecommunications. Contract electrical engineers often bring specialized expertise and can help organizations meet tight deadlines or fill skill gaps without committing to long-term employment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Contract Electrical Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Contract Electrical Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering principles, circuit design, and relevant industry experience, typically supported by a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. Proficiency in CAD software (such as AutoCAD or Altium), simulation tools, and knowledge of electrical codes and standards is crucial, along with certifications like Professional Engineer (PE) being advantageous. Strong problem-solving, time management, and effective communication skills help you excel in client-facing and project-based environments. These competencies are vital for delivering quality results on time, ensuring compliance, and maintaining strong professional relationships while working independently or with diverse teams.
What are the most commonly searched types of Electrical Engineering jobs in Raleigh, NC? The most popular types of Electrical Engineering jobs in Raleigh, NC are:
What cities near Raleigh, NC are hiring for Contract Electrical Engineering jobs? Cities near Raleigh, NC with the most Contract Electrical Engineering job openings:
Infographic showing various Contract Electrical Engineering job openings in Raleigh, NC as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 79% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 18% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $107,990 per year, or $51.9 per hour.

Principal Electrical Engineer

NIRSense Inc

Morrisville, NC โ€ข On-site

$130K - $159K/yr

Full-time

Posted 11 days ago


Job description

About the Company:
NIRSense is a cardiology company focused on developing world-leading non-invasive medical devices. Our tools measure oxygenation changes in the body 10x deeper than typical pulse oximetry and track the electrophysiological activity of muscles and the brain. We are a growing team of technology developers seeking candidates interested in helping advance our capabilities for a wide range of interested stakeholders who are driven to transform the way humans understand and interact with their own health.
Job Summary:
NIRSense is seeking an experienced principal-level electrical engineer to serve as a technical leader within our growing engineering and scientific team in its Morrisville, NC office. This person will own and drive the complex hardware development efforts across NIRSense's product portfolio, working closely with a multi-disciplinary team of engineers to design and develop cutting-edge electronic circuits and systems for non-invasive medical devices. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in biomedical sensing hardware, a track record of independently delivering sophisticated miniaturized systems, and the ability to mentor and elevate the engineers around them.
Please note this position is onsite, with flexibility.
Minimum Qualifications:
  • 10+ years of experience in electrical engineering, with significant focus on medical devices or biomedical sensing systems.
  • Demonstrated ability to independently lead and deliver complex medical device hardware development projects from concept through design verification and validation.
  • Deep hands-on expertise with design and integration of electrical components of miniaturized medical device systems such as PCBs, PCB components, batteries, and light-emitting and detecting systems.
  • Expertise in mixed-signal circuit design for physiological sensing, including signal generators, amplifiers, filters, ADCs, and low-noise data acquisition systems.
  • Experience designing low-power architectures and battery management systems for body-worn medical devices.
  • Experience with EMC/EMI design practices and electrical safety standards (IEC 60601-1, IEC 60601-1-2).
  • Experience leading formal design reviews and presenting technical analyses to cross-functional stakeholders in a design-controlled environment.
  • Proficiency in PCB design tools (Altium Designer preferred), including rigid, flex, and rigid-flex designs for space-constrained wearable form factors.
  • Strong technical writing skills, with experience authoring design documentation for regulated environments.
  • Proven ability to mentor engineers and elevate the technical quality of a team.
  • Experience managing PCB fabricator and contract manufacturer relationships, including vendor qualification and supply chain risk mitigation.
  • B.S. in Electrical or Biomedical Engineering or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Knowledge of biosensing and electrical stimulation technologies and proficiency in hardware implementations of these technologies.
  • Experience with optoelectronic circuit design, including LED drivers, photodiode front-ends, and transimpedance amplifiers (TIAs).
  • Experience with mechanical-electrical integration for miniaturized wearable enclosures and collaboration with mechanical engineering teams.
  • Familiarity with C/C++ and embedded systems integration with BLE-enabled microcontrollers (e.g., Nordic nRF series) for wireless physiological data streaming.
  • Experience directing and reviewing work from external PCB layout and design contractors.
  • Experience designing medical wearable hardware for manufacturability (DFM) and testability (DFT), including development of test fixtures and validation systems.
  • Experience with design verification and validation (V&V) testing in a regulated medical device environment.
  • Experience supporting FDA regulatory submissions (e.g., 510(k), de novo) and familiarity with design controls under 21 CFR Part 820 or ISO 13485.
  • Experience with hardware FMEA and risk management per ISO 14971.

Job Responsibilities:
  • Serve as the technical lead on the miniaturized and ruggedized analog and mixed-signal electronics development efforts for medical physiological sensors, including EEG, ECG, and biophotonics-based systems.
  • Design low-power architectures, battery charging circuits, and power budgets for portable and wearable device platforms.
  • Design for safety and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC/EMI), conduct pre-compliance testing, and support formal EMC and electrical safety testing per IEC 60601-1 and IEC 60601-1-2.
  • Drive and lead design reviews with multi-disciplinary stakeholders, establishing rigorous engineering practices and collaborating closely with firmware, mechanical, and software engineers to ensure seamless system integration.
  • Independently manage relationships with PCB fabricators and assemblers; oversee BOM cost, sourcing risk, and component lifecycle to supply finished, high-quality electronics.
  • Lead test fixture design and manufacturing test strategy, from prototype PCB evaluation through design transfer and production yield optimization.
  • Author and review technical reports, maintain schematic libraries and design history files (DHF), and contribute hardware FMEA and risk management files (ISO 14971) to support regulatory submissions (510(k), de novo).
  • Mentor junior and senior engineers, providing technical guidance, design feedback, and career development support.
  • Report to the Electrical Engineering R&D Manager.

About NIRSense

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Medical equipment and supplies manufacturing

Company size

11 - 50 Employees

Headquarters location

Richmond, VA, US

Year founded

2018