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Freelance Automotive Electrical Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

... as an Electrical Engineer. In this position, you will design, implement, and ensure the reliable operation of electrical systems in automotive and industrial plants, contributing to efficient ...

... an Electrical Engineer . In this position, you will design, implement, and ensure the reliable operation of electrical systems in automotive and industrial plants, contributing to efficient ...

... Engineer. In this position, you will design, implement, and ensure the reliable operation of electrical systems in automotive and industrial plants, contributing to efficient production and high ...

Electrical Engineer

Scottdale, GA · On-site

$75K - $105K/yr

Automotive & Vehicle Electrical Systems Provide advanced electrical engineering support for vehicle and mobile-equipment platforms, including: Autonomous and advanced vehicles (AV) Electric vehicles ...

Electrical Engineer

Scottdale, GA · On-site

$75K - $105K/yr

Automotive & Vehicle Electrical Systems Provide advanced electrical engineering support for vehicle and mobile-equipment platforms, including: Autonomous and advanced vehicles (AV) Electric vehicles ...

Showing results 21-40

Freelance Automotive Electrical Engineer information

See salary details

$40.5K

$86.4K

$142.5K

How much do freelance automotive electrical engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for freelance automotive electrical engineer in the United States is $86,381.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $65,000.00 and $103,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Freelance Automotive Electrical Engineer vs Automotive Electronics Technician?

AspectFreelance Automotive Electrical EngineerAutomotive Electronics Technician
CredentialsEngineering degree, certifications in automotive systemsTechnical diploma or certification in automotive electronics
Work EnvironmentProject-based, client sites, workshops, or remote consultingRepair shops, dealerships, service centers
Industry UsageDesign, development, and consulting for automotive electrical systemsDiagnosing and repairing automotive electronic components

Freelance Automotive Electrical Engineers focus on designing and consulting on automotive electrical systems, often working independently or with clients. Automotive Electronics Technicians primarily diagnose and repair electronic issues in vehicles within service centers. While both roles require knowledge of automotive electronics, engineers typically have a broader scope involving design and development, whereas technicians focus on hands-on repairs.

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What are the most commonly searched types of Automotive Electrical Engineer jobs?

The most popular types of Automotive Electrical Engineer jobs are:

What states have the most Freelance Automotive Electrical Engineer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Freelance Automotive Electrical Engineer jobs include:

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For Freelance Automotive Electrical Engineer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Freelance Automotive Electrical Engineer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 92% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $86,381 per year, or $41.5 per hour.

Electrical Characterization Engineer - Automotive ECU Validation

Palo Alto, CA • On-site

Aptino
IT Services • 51 - 200 employees

Other

Posted 13 days ago


Job description

Electrical Characterization Engineer – Automotive ECU Validation

Location: Palo Alto, CA — Onsite

Duration: 12 months

Job Type: C2C

Job Overview

We are seeking an experienced Electrical Characterization Engineer to join an automotive Electronics Test & Validation team. This role will focus on the design verification and electrical characterization of vehicle electronic control units (ECUs), particularly Zonal and Battery Management System (BMS) ECUs.

The engineer will work closely with hardware, firmware, reliability, and design teams to develop test strategies, execute characterization activities, analyze results, and identify opportunities to improve ECU design and testability.

Key Responsibilities
  • Develop comprehensive design verification and electrical characterization test plans for ECU development programs.
  • Plan and execute characterization testing in alignment with project milestones and engineering requirements.
  • Perform bench-level electrical characterization at the IC and PCBA levels.
  • Analyze test results and maintain detailed test coverage, characterization, and validation reports.
  • Provide engineering feedback on circuit design, component selection, testability, and potential design risks.
  • Develop and present Design for Testability (DFT) recommendations and reports.
  • Manage characterization schedules and communicate project status, risks, and results to engineering leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.
  • Develop basic Python automation scripts and instrumentation drivers to improve testing efficiency.
  • Work with firmware and software engineers to flash, test, debug, and validate ECU firmware.
  • Analyze electrical and functional test data to identify failures, trends, and potential design issues.
  • Lead cross-functional root-cause analysis for non-compliant or failed test results.
  • Collaborate with hardware, firmware, reliability, manufacturing, and validation teams throughout the ECU development lifecycle.
  • Support continuous improvement of testing methodologies, tools, processes, and validation infrastructure.
Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor''s or Master''s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience.
  • 10+ years of experience in electronics characterization, design verification, validation, or related testing.
  • Strong understanding of electrical and electronics engineering fundamentals.
  • Hands-on experience with laboratory instrumentation such as:
    • Oscilloscopes
    • Digital multimeters
    • Power supplies
    • Electronic loads
    • Other electrical measurement equipment
  • Working knowledge of automotive electrical systems and vehicle communication buses.
  • Experience with Python scripting and test/data analysis.
  • Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills with the ability to interpret electrical test data.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to work effectively with cross-functional engineering teams and communicate technical findings to both technical and leadership audiences.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with automotive ECUs, particularly BMS, Zonal, Powertrain, Body, or other vehicle control modules.
  • Experience with PCBA-level testing and electrical characterization.
  • Familiarity with CAN/CAN FD, LIN, Automotive Ethernet, or other vehicle communication protocols.
  • Experience with automated test equipment and laboratory test automation.
  • Knowledge of Hardware-in-the-Loop (HiL) or ECU validation environments.
  • Experience developing Design for Testability (DFT) strategies.
  • Familiarity with automotive development and quality processes.