> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/3652482-hardware-design-engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/3652482-hardware-design-engineer). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md).

---

# Hardware Design Engineer

- **Company:** CareerCircle
- **Location:** Bethesda, MD, United States
- **Experience:** Expert
- **Salary:** $104,000.0 - $156,000.0
- **Contract:** Temporary to permanent
- **Skills:** Computer-Aided Design, Altium Designer, Computing Platforms, Systems Engineering, Signals Intelligence, Computer Programming, Linux, Digital Electronics, Microprocessors, Electronic Design Automation, Embedded C, Embedded Software, Firmware, Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), Hardware Design, Key Management, OrCAD, Rapid Prototyping Process, Cadence Virtuoso, Schematic Capture, Signal Processing, Software Engineering, Subsystems, System Testing, Systems Integration, Vivado, Computer Network Operations, PIC Microcontroller, Integration Tests, Mentor Graphics, Pcb Layout
- **Published:** October 9, 2026
- **Apply:** https://www.careercircle.com/jobs/all/all/usa/md/bethesda/f603f623-0b30-4312-bd07-98a73601ed8c

## About the Role

KiCad
Firmware
Visionary
Innovation
Embedded C
Electronics
Reliability
Coordinating
Communication
System Testing
Microprocessor
Hardware Design
Medical Devices
Embedded Systems
Microcontrollers
Embedded Software
Schematic Capture
Systems Engineering
Systems Integration
Integration Testing
Design Verification
Printed Circuit Board
Electrical Engineering
Engineering Design Process
Electronic Design Automation
Printed Circuit Board Design
Troubleshooting (Problem Solving), * Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering.

 * Approximately 310 years of relevant hardware design or electrical engineering experience.
 * Demonstrated experience with digital board design for microcontroller and microprocessordriven systems.
 * Handson experience with PCB layout, schematic capture, and boardlevel design using standard CAD tools.
 * Proven background in highreliability board and electronics design for applications such as defense, aerospace, aviation, automotive, or medical devices.
 * Experience with mixedsignal design that combines analog and digital circuitry.
 * Practical experience with hardware development and hardware integration in embedded systems.
 * Familiarity with FPGA technology for incorporating FPGAs onto boards, focusing on hardware integration rather than FPGA programming.
 * Ability to obtain a U.S. Government Secret security clearance.
 * Strong communication skills for coordinating with internal stakeholders and, when needed, external customers.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

 * Experience with PCB design tools such as Cadence, KiCad, Altium, Mentor Graphics, or similar industrystandard CAD platforms.
 * Experience with specific tools such as OrCAD, KiCad, Altium, or other common schematic capture and PCB layout environments.
 * Knowledge of embedded systems and embedded software development on microprocessors and microcontrollers.
 * Experience with embedded C programming for microprocessorbased systems is highly desirable but not strictly required.
 * background working with Xilinx or other FPGA vendors is a plus, particularly for boardlevel integration.
 * Experience in environments requiring high reliability, such as aerospace, aviation, automotive, defense, or medical devices.
 * Comfort interacting with customers and external stakeholders, including presenting technical information and gathering requirements.

Work Environment

The position is based in an office environment as part of a small, highreliability engineering team. You will work closely with other hardware, embedded software, and systems engineers, using industrystandard CAD tools and development platforms for PCB design, schematic capture, and mixedsignal hardware development. The culture supports collaboration, clear communication, and the opportunity to work on a wide variety of highreliability systems backed by strong organizational resources.
Job Type & Location, 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., Communication
Key Management
Hardware Design
Software Design
Ancient History
Technical Design
Rapid Prototyping
Signal Processing
Analytical Method
Collection Systems
Electronic Hardware
Technology Research
Time Off Management
Security Engineering
Software Development
Signals Intelligence
Prototype Development
Education and Training
Digital Signal Processing
Computer Network Operations
Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA)
Top Secret-Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI Clearance), OrCAD
KiCad
Firmware
Visionary
Innovation
Embedded C
Electronics
Reliability
Coordinating
Communication
System Testing
Microprocessor
Hardware Design
Medical Devices
Embedded Systems
Microcontrollers
Embedded Software
Schematic Capture
Systems Engineering
Systems Integration
Integration Testing
Design Verification
Printed Circuit Board
Electrical Engineering
Engineering Design Process
Electronic Design Automation
Printed Circuit Board Design
Troubleshooting (Problem Solving)

## Description

This role focuses on designing highreliability, microprocessordriven digital and mixedsignal printed circuit boards for demanding defense applications and ruggedized environments. The Hardware Design Engineer takes ownership of the full hardware lifecycle, from concept and design through development, system integration, environmental testing, and final hardware delivery. The position involves advanced electronics design that integrates analog and digital components, microprocessors, microcontrollers, and FPGAs, with the opportunity to perform embedded programming and troubleshooting as needed. You will work as part of a small, highreliability engineering team and collaborate closely with internal stakeholders to ensure successful project outcomes.
Responsibilities

 * Design highreliability digital and mixedsignal circuit boards for defense and ruggedized applications, with a focus on microprocessor and microcontrollerdriven systems.
 * Own the full hardware lifecycle, including requirements review, architecture, schematic capture, PCB design, integration, test, and support through final hardware delivery.
 * Implement advanced mixedsignal electronics designs that integrate analog and digital components, microprocessors, microcontrollers, and FPGAs on complex boards.
 * Create and maintain schematics and PCB layouts using industrystandard CAD tools, ensuring manufacturability, reliability, and compliance with applicable standards.
 * Develop hardware for highreliability environments such as defense, aerospace, aviation, automotive, and medical device applications, applying appropriate design practices.
 * Participate in hardware development reviews, perform design verification, and support systemlevel integration and test activities.
 * Follow hardware through system test and environmental testing for ruggedized environments, supporting troubleshooting and design refinements as required.
 * Perform or support embedded programming and programmingrelated troubleshooting on embedded systems when needed, in coordination with software and firmware teams.
 * Coordinate and communicate effectively with internal stakeholders and, when required, customers to provide status updates, gather requirements, and address technical questions.
 * Contribute to hardware integration activities, ensuring that boards interface correctly with embedded software, FPGA logic, and other system components.
 * Document designs, test results, and engineering decisions clearly to support ongoing maintenance, future upgrades, and crossfunctional collaboration., Linux
Vivado
Equities
Purchasing
Algorithms
Upskilling
Subsystems
Market Data