Freelance Computer Hardware Engineer Jobs in Virginia

Quality Support, Inc., openings for Hardware Engineers with 25+ years of related experience with a background of submarine electronic subsystem requirements, development, testing, building, maintaining, and troubleshooting AI infrastructure as senior staff. In this role, you will analyze networks, computers, and storage processing hardware characteristics and recommend equipment procurement, removals, and modifications, collaborating closely with software, layout and manufacturing teams to support system integration of our rapidly expanding AI infrastructure. Working alongside senior engineers, you will ensure the highest levels of system availability, performance, and security as we bring innovative products from concept to prototype to mass production. Preferred Virginia Class Submarine Program and/or Columbia Class Submarine Program background/experience but not required. Top-Secret clearances required. Must be a US Citizen.

THIS POSITION IS CONTINGENT UPON CONTRACT AWARD.

Security Clearance Required: Top-Secret

Position Type: Full-time

Transform AI technology into opportunity as a Hardware Engineer at QSI. Help drive the next-must have dynamic mission-critical government projects while maturing your engineering skills and career.

• Hardware Engineer(HWE) collaboratively works closely with the Sponsor, and senior staff/teams to identify, understand, and anticipate system requirements.
• The HWE analyzes network, compute, and storage processing hardware characteristics and recommends equipment procurement, removals, and modifications.
• The HWE reviews system inventory, in-bound shipments, and ongoing demand to ensure that proper hardware stock and sparing levels are maintained to support build and repair activities.
• The HWE works with the Lab/SCIF Manager to optimize the flow of parts through their lifecycle; tracking inventory location, movement, age, and turns.
• The HWE performs daily system data center rounds to monitor the data center infrastructure, coordinate response to operational incidents, and partner with other providers to rapidly resolve issues that impact service availability.
• The HWE supports system infrastructure build-outs (cage builds, overhead installations, rack and stack), cable termination and testing, maintenance work, monitoring and responding to mechanical, electrical, fire protection, telecom, and security systems.
• Daily tasks include, but are not limited to:
  • Conduct site surveys; assess and document current site network configuration and user requirements.
  • Analyze existing requirements and prepare specifications for hardware acquisitions.
  • Review system compute, storage, and networking systems in terms of mission capability, end of life, and redundancy.
  • Prepare reports and studies concerning hardware that provide cost savings, technical efficiencies, and system reliability recommendations.
  • Prepare functional requirements and specifications for hardware acquisitions.
  • Produce Test Plans by preparing engineering plans and site installation Technical Design Packages.
  • Manage or assist in Infrastructure projects (Internal/Sponsor) to include Cage and Cabinet Build-Outs, Overhead Installations, Rack and Stack.
  • Develop and prepare site and hardware installation schedules, supplying subsequent test reports.
  • Prepare drawings documenting configuration changes.
  • Assist in asset and consumable inventory management.

• Essential skills include experience in configuring, deploying, and managing hardware infrastructure, along with expert knowledge of hardware itself.
• Experience with workflow orchestration/automation tools, virtualizing platforms, and configuration/infrastructure management tools are also necessary.
• Experience in data center environments, engineering hardware and network designs for large-scale applications, automating issue detection, and operating cloud-based platforms are key requirements.
• Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, the ability to troubleshoot complex issues, and collaboration skills are also important.
• Understanding hardware, lifecycle management and optimization is also required.
• Experience with specific hardware and cloud vendors (e.g., HP/Dell, AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Experience with server virtualization technologies (e.g., VMware, Red Hat Virtualization, Oracle VM), performance analysis tools, managing budgets, and collaborating with hardware manufacturers are also beneficial.
• Experience working with U.S. Government defense contracts or security clearance eligibility.
• Teamwork
• Analyzing information
• Hardware/AI design
• System/AI requirements
• Hardware in an AI architecture setting
• The desire to be challenged and think out of the box

• BS or MS degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or closely related field.
• Twenty-five plus years of experience as a Hardware/AI Engineer.
• Five plus years of experience with AI would be helpful.
• CompTIA Hardware Certification (e.g., A+, Network+, Server+).
• Cisco Certifications (e.g., CCNA, CCDP).
• Microsoft Certifications (e.g., MCSA, MCSE).
• Specialized certifications related to specific hardware technologies (e.g., embedded systems, networking, AI).