Hardware Engineer 2 with Security Clearance

Job Title: Hardware Engineer 2 Pay rate: $85 (candidate pay rate on W2) Number of Positions: 3 Location: Rolling Meadows Illinois Start Date: 10/5/26 End Date: 4/2/27 Job Description Our client is seeking a Hardware Engineer 2 to support the design, development, testing, and sustainment of advanced electronic systems. This role offers the opportunity to contribute to innovative technologies that support critical mission objectives across a variety of defense and aerospace applications.

The selected candidate will be involved in the full product lifecycle, from system concept and requirements development through design, implementation, integration, testing, production, and field support. The position requires collaboration with cross-functional teams including Engineering, Manufacturing, and Program Management. Digital subsystem and circuit card designs leverage modern FPGA technologies and support high-speed interfaces, digital signal processing, controls, data links, embedded processing, and processor interfaces. Responsibilities

• Research, design, develop, and test digital hardware products and electronic systems.
• Perform digital component design and analysis.
• Develop models and simulations to support hardware development.
• Design, integrate, prototype, debug, and test complex digital subsystems.
• Translate system requirements into hardware design and test specifications.
• Support product development through production and field support phases.
• Collaborate effectively within integrated product teams.

Work Location: Full-time, onsite position.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering,Computer Engineering, or related engineering discipline with 5+ years of digital electronics design experience; OR Master's degree with 3+ years of relevant experience.
• Experience with digital circuit design, including simulation, schematic capture, testing, and integration.
• Hands-on prototyping and debug experience with complex digital subsystems, including FPGA-based designs, embedded processors, and/or high-speed interfaces.
• Experience leading small projects or teams.
• Ability to translate system performance and operational requirements into hardware requirements, designs, and test specifications.
• Familiarity with documentation and configuration management tools.
• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Active Secret Clearance and ability to obtain additional customer-required clearances prior to start.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering.
• Extensive digital electronics design experience.
• Knowledge of Electronic Warfare (EW) systems.
• Aerospace and/or Defense industry experience.
• Circuit card design experience using industry-standard schematic capture and PCB layout tools.
• Experience with requirements management, configuration management, and revision control tools.
• Current Secret or Top Secret Security Clearance.
• Strong leadership, mentoring, communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and effectively in a team environment.