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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Electrical Systems Engineer

💰 $95,000 - $160,000

EngineeringElectrical EngineeringSystems EngineeringHardware Development

🎯 Role Definition

As an Electrical Systems Engineer, you are the architect and integrator of the electronic nervous system of our products. You will take ownership of the entire electrical system lifecycle, from defining high-level system requirements to hands-on board bring-up and system validation. This role requires a blend of deep theoretical knowledge, practical design skills, and a collaborative spirit to work with cross-functional teams including software, mechanical, and manufacturing. You will be responsible for ensuring our systems are robust, reliable, compliant, and optimized for performance and cost. If you are passionate about solving complex electrical challenges and building cutting-edge technology, this is the opportunity for you.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Junior Electrical Engineer
  • Hardware Design Engineer
  • Electronics Test Engineer

Advancement To:

  • Senior or Principal Electrical Systems Engineer
  • Electrical Engineering Manager
  • Systems Architect

Lateral Moves:

  • Project or Program Management
  • Firmware Engineering
  • Controls Systems Engineering

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Lead the design, development, and integration of complex electrical systems and sub-systems from initial concept through to mass production.
  • Create and maintain detailed electrical schematics, select critical components, and manage the Bill of Materials (BOM) using ECAD tools like Altium Designer or Cadence.
  • Define and manage system-level and component-level requirements, ensuring traceability and verification throughout the product development lifecycle.
  • Develop and execute comprehensive Verification and Validation (V&V) plans, protocols, and reports to ensure systems meet performance, safety, and regulatory standards.
  • Perform detailed circuit simulations (SPICE), tolerance analysis, and signal/power integrity (SI/PI) analysis to guarantee design robustness and reliability.
  • Oversee the layout of complex, high-density, multi-layer Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs), providing constraints for high-speed digital, analog, and power circuitry.
  • Conduct hands-on board bring-up, system debugging, and troubleshooting of complex hardware issues, identifying root causes and implementing effective corrective actions.
  • Design and implement robust power distribution architectures, including power budgeting, converter design, and battery management systems (BMS).
  • Ensure product compliance with relevant industry standards for safety, performance, and EMI/EMC (e.g., IEC, FCC, ISO, DO-160).
  • Collaborate closely with mechanical, firmware, software, and test engineers to ensure seamless hardware/software integration and a cohesive product design.
  • Manage technical relationships with component suppliers, fabrication houses, and contract manufacturers, providing clear design-for-manufacturability (DFM) feedback.
  • Author comprehensive technical documentation, including system architecture diagrams, design specifications, test procedures, and failure analysis reports.
  • Lead and participate in formal peer and technical design reviews (e.g., PDR, CDR) to ensure high-quality, robust engineering outputs.
  • Develop and implement automated test fixtures and scripts using tools like Python or LabVIEW to support design validation and production testing.
  • Conduct Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) to proactively identify potential design weaknesses and enhance overall system safety and reliability.
  • Specify, characterize, and qualify new electronic components, considering performance, lifecycle, availability, and cost trade-offs.
  • Analyze and resolve complex issues related to system integration, timing, and communication protocols (e.g., I2C, SPI, CAN, Ethernet).
  • Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior engineers and technicians, fostering a culture of technical excellence and continuous improvement.
  • Support the entire product lifecycle, including new product introduction (NPI), sustaining engineering for released products, and end-of-life (EOL) component management.
  • Evaluate and champion the adoption of new technologies, tools, and methodologies to enhance product performance and streamline the development process.

Secondary Functions

  • Support cross-functional teams in troubleshooting system-level issues that may have an electrical hardware root cause.
  • Contribute to the development of the organization's technology roadmap and future product strategy.
  • Participate actively in project planning, estimation, and agile development ceremonies.
  • Mentor co-op students and interns, providing guidance and support on their project work.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • ECAD Software: High proficiency in schematic capture and PCB layout tools such as Altium Designer, Cadence Allegro/OrCAD, or Mentor Graphics.
  • Circuit Simulation & Analysis: Expertise in using simulation tools like LTspice/PSpice and MATLAB/Simulink for analog, digital, and mixed-signal circuits.
  • System Integration: Proven experience integrating complex hardware systems with firmware and software.
  • Test & Measurement Equipment: Hands-on mastery of lab equipment including oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, logic analyzers, power supplies, and multimeters.
  • Power Electronics: Strong knowledge of DC/DC and AC/DC converter topologies, power distribution, and battery management systems (BMS).
  • Microcontroller (MCU) Systems: Experience designing with 32-bit ARM-based MCUs and associated peripherals.
  • Communication Protocols: Deep understanding of standard interfaces like I2C, SPI, UART, CAN, Ethernet, and USB.
  • Signal & Power Integrity (SI/PI): Experience with SI/PI analysis tools and techniques to ensure signal quality and stable power delivery.
  • EMI/EMC Design & Troubleshooting: Knowledge of design principles for EMI/EMC compliance and experience debugging related issues.
  • Programming/Scripting: Proficiency in a scripting language like Python for test automation and data analysis.
  • Requirements Management: Familiarity with tools like Jira, Jama, or DOORS for tracking and verifying system requirements.

Soft Skills

  • Analytical Problem-Solving: Ability to systematically debug complex, interdisciplinary problems and drive to a root-cause solution.
  • Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, capable of presenting complex technical information clearly to diverse audiences.
  • Collaboration & Teamwork: A proactive team player who thrives in a collaborative engineering environment.
  • Attention to Detail: Meticulous attention to detail in design, documentation, and testing.
  • Project Ownership: A strong sense of ownership and drive to see projects through from concept to completion.
  • Adaptability: Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt to changing project requirements in a fast-paced setting.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in a relevant engineering discipline.

Preferred Education:

  • Master of Science (M.S.) or Ph.D. in a relevant engineering discipline.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Electrical Engineering
  • Computer Engineering
  • Systems Engineering
  • Mechatronics or Robotics

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 3-8 years of professional experience in electrical hardware design and systems engineering.

Preferred:

  • Experience in a regulated industry such as automotive (ISO 26262), aerospace (DO-254/DO-160), or medical devices (IEC 60601) is highly desirable.
  • Demonstrated experience taking at least one product through the full development lifecycle, from concept to production.
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