Electrical Engineer Electrical Jobs in Reston, VA

Job Title: Senior Electrical Engineer

Job Description

The Senior Electrical Engineer is responsible for the design, development, and integration of 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, advancing engineering best practices and contributing to 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 electrical system architecture and integration across multiple vehicle platforms to ensure 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 safety.
• Design circuits for power phasing and determine component specifications, including 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 overall system power budgets to optimize performance and reliability.
• Conduct thermal loading analysis to determine the need for heat sinks, fans, or other cooling solutions, and incorporate these into the overall design.
• Develop electrical solutions that can be handed off to drafting resources for detailed documentation and build packages.
• Collaborate closely with mechanical, aerospace, and manufacturing teams to ensure seamless system integration and alignment with overall vehicle design.
• Conduct electrical analysis, simulation, and testing to validate system performance, reliability, and safety under operational conditions.
• Support rapid prototyping and iterative design cycles to accelerate system development and refinement.
• Troubleshoot electrical systems during bench testing, integration activities, and field operations, resolving issues efficiently.
• 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 and documentation.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or a related field.
• Master’s degree in a relevant engineering discipline preferred.
• 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.
• Experience designing PCBs and wiring harnesses based on clean-sheet requirements.
• Ability to perform total loading analysis, including battery and generator capacity, and design circuits for power phasing and component specification.
• Experience designing starter generators and alternators, including magnet count, wattage, and current levels.
• Experience managing sensor power consumption and conducting thermal loading analysis to determine appropriate cooling solutions.
• Proficiency with CAD software for electrical design and relevant 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

• Experience working on electrical systems for unmanned and autonomous platforms, such as UAVs and USVs.
• Background in aerospace or defense programs involving mission-critical, complex electrical architectures.
• Experience with Solid Edge or similar CAD tools for mechanical and electrical integration.
• Experience participating in and leading design reviews and technical planning activities.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop junior engineers and contribute to engineering standards and documentation.
• Comfort operating in agile engineering environments that emphasize technical ownership and engineering judgment.
• Ability to balance performance, cost, and supply chain considerations when selecting components and designing systems.

Work Environment

This role operates in a well-funded, agile engineering environment focused on mission-critical, nationally significant programs. Engineers have significant technical ownership and creative freedom, working with minimal bureaucracy and without constant external oversight. Teams have direct access to advanced tools and technologies, including in-house 3D printing and rapid prototyping capabilities, enabling fast iteration and visible impact. The position follows a 9/80 work week schedule, providing a structured yet flexible work pattern that supports both productivity and work-life balance. Work is highly collaborative, involving close interaction with aerospace, mechanical, and manufacturing teams in a professional, engineering-driven setting.

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

The pay range for this position is $43.00 - $82.00/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)

This is a fully onsite position in Rockville,MD.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 15, 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 withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment 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 thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall 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 applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.