Hardware Systems Engineer

Job Title: Hardware Systems Engineer

Job Description

We are seeking two Staff Systems Engineers to support the integration, testing, deployment, sustainment, and lifecycle management of advanced mission systems. This role focuses on the right side of the systems engineering lifecycle, ensuring systems are successfully integrated, verified, deployed, and maintained in support of operational missions. The ideal candidate will have experience developing test requirements and verification procedures, performing hardware and software integration, supporting system deployments, managing hardware configurations, and operating within a formal configuration and change management environment. This individual will work closely with engineering, manufacturing, logistics, suppliers, quality assurance, and operations teams to ensure system readiness and successful delivery of mission-critical capabilities. This position requires a hands-on engineer who is comfortable building and integrating systems, performing rack-and-stack activities, troubleshooting complex hardware/software issues, supporting field deployments, and driving continuous improvement initiatives across deployed systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead system integration, verification, validation, testing, deployment, and sustainment activities for mission-critical systems.
• Develop test requirements, verification plans, acceptance criteria, and execute system-level test procedures.
• Perform hands-on system build activities including rack-and-stack integration, hardware installation, cable management, and system initialization.
• Create and maintain technical artifacts including system architecture diagrams, DoDAF views, topology diagrams, interconnect diagrams, ICDs, and technical specifications.
• Troubleshoot hardware, software, and network issues; perform root cause analysis and drive corrective actions.
• Maintain hardware and software baselines within a formal Configuration Management (CM) environment and support ECR, ERB, and CCB processes.
• Support hardware lifecycle management, technology refresh efforts, logistics, inventory tracking, and RMA activities.
• Coordinate with customers, suppliers, and internal engineering teams to support system deployments, field installations, testing events, and operational transitions.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 5+ years of systems engineering, integration, test, or deployment experience supporting complex technical programs.
• Experience supporting system integration, verification, validation, and deployment activities.
• Experience creating and executing test procedures and verification plans.
• Experience building, integrating, and troubleshooting hardware-based systems.
• Experience with rack-and-stack installations, cable management, and system build activities.
• Experience generating system architecture artifacts including topology diagrams, interconnect diagrams, and technical documentation.
• Experience working in a formal Configuration Management (CM) environment.
• Experience supporting engineering change processes and technical baselines.
• Active Secret Security Clearance.
• Ability to travel approximately 15% (CONUS and OCONUS).

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Master's degree in a related technical discipline.
• Experience supporting SATCOM, tactical communications, networking, or mission systems.
• Experience with DoDAF architecture products and system architecture development.
• Experience supporting FAT, SAT, and operational test events.
• Experience supporting deployed systems in field or operational environments.
• Experience with SWaP analysis and platform integration activities.
• Familiarity with ECR, ERB, and CCB processes.
• Experience with logistics, supply chain management, inventory management, or RMA processes.
• Familiarity with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and configuration management systems.
• Experience supporting government, defense, aerospace, or national security programs.

Work Environment

This role is a hybrid role with 2 days a week being onsite in Warrenton, VA, however, during the first 1-2 months, they will need to be on site every day for training. They are located in the Vint Hill technology park, which offers amenities such as a brewery, winery, and CrossFit. The total team consists of over 90 people. The company culture is fun with a hybrid model, offering a refreshing change from typical SCIF work environments. Employees work with laptops in an open office space and have the flexibility to use cell phones. The company pays employees by the actual hours worked, rather than a standard 40 hours a week, and the work is closely connected to the mission. Additionally, the person will have the opportunity to work with open-source modern technologies in a defense project that is early in its architectural phase, offering a unique chance to lead or grow into a Lead Systems Engineer role.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Warrenton, VA.

The pay range for this position is $55.00 - $80.00/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 hybrid position in Warrenton,VA.

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 9, 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 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.