Electrical Engineer

Electrical Engineer (6 month Contract) Sigma Design has collaborated with a leading defense technology company seeking an experienced Electrical Engineer to join their facility in Costa Mesa, CA. This company specializes in autonomous systems and next-generation defense technologies. This position is a 6-month contract with possibility of extension or hire and fully In-Office. While on contract you are eligible for: Multiple options for medical insurance and dental insurance including some with FSA and HSA 401(k) with up to 4% company match 15-days of accrued PTO and 9 company paid holidays Quarterly bonus program Voluntary benefits: vision, long-term disability, and life insurance Monday – Friday, day shift $60.00 - $89.00 an hour. The hourly range for this role is an estimate based on multiple factors, including experience, education, training, skills, and business considerations. Actual compensation may vary based on the candidate’s qualifications and alignment with the role Primary Function: The Electrical Engineer is responsible for the design, development, testing, troubleshooting, and integration of complex electrical and electronic hardware. This role owns electrical hardware development throughout the product lifecycle, including schematic capture, PCB design and layout, component selection, circuit analysis, board bring-up, qualification, debugging, and system integration. The Electrical Engineer will work cross-functionally to design and deliver robust, reliable hardware capable of performing in demanding environments. Essential Job Functions - Responsibilities: Own the full-cycle electrical hardware development process , translating system-level requirements into robust electrical designs from architecture through production. Perform schematic capture, component selection, and high-density PCB design and layout , with a strong preference for Altium Designer. Design and optimize power distribution and power supply circuits, motor controller circuits, actuator circuits, and embedded control electronics . Apply strong engineering fundamentals across analog, digital, and power electronics to develop reliable hardware. Perform circuit simulations, worst-case analysis (WCA), thermal analysis, DFMEA , and component derating to evaluate design performance and reliability. Conduct peer-level and cross-functional electrical design reviews , incorporating feedback from mechanical, thermal, software, test, quality, manufacturing, and systems engineering teams. Lead board bring-up, Design Verification Testing (DVT), qualification testing, functional testing, and hardware troubleshooting . Develop electrical test setups and utilize laboratory equipment including oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, thermal chambers, spectrum analyzers, function generators, DMMs, electronic loads, power supplies, and automated test equipment. Troubleshoot hardware using standard communication interfaces and protocols, including CAN, I2C,…