Electrical Design Engineer

Summary

Our client is an established Southern California manufacturer specializing in advanced underwater communication systems, commercial diving equipment, and specialized electronic products for military, government, public safety, and commercial applications. They are seeking an experienced Electrical Design Engineer to join their engineering team in Vista, CA , focusing on the design, development, testing, and improvement of analog and digital electronic products, audio communication systems, and embedded electronics.

The ideal candidate will have 8–10 years of hands-on electronic circuit design and product development experience , with strong expertise in analog and digital audio circuitry, audio amplifiers, digital signal processing (DSP), embedded firmware development, and component-level troubleshooting . This position requires an engineer capable of taking ownership of electronic product development from initial circuit design and prototyping through testing, manufacturing, and ongoing product improvement.

Duties & Responsibilities

Electronic Circuit Design & Product Development

Design, develop, test, and improve analog and digital electronic circuits for communication equipment, intercom systems, audio amplifiers, and specialized electronic products.

Develop electronic hardware and embedded firmware for new product designs and enhancements to existing products.

Design and optimize audio signal paths, amplification circuitry, and digital audio processing systems.

Perform circuit-level design, schematic development, component selection, simulation, prototyping, and testing.

Design and evaluate electronic systems utilizing microcontrollers, microprocessors, DSPs, and FPGA technologies.

Address circuit impedance matching, signal integrity, board-level electromagnetic interference (EMI), digital interfaces, and digital power requirements.

Evaluate amplifier performance, including noise characteristics, noise figure (NF), and 1 dB compression point (P1dB), where applicable.

Incorporate built-in self-test (BIST) capabilities and diagnostic functionality into electronic designs.

Support development of additional electronic products, including LED lighting systems.

Embedded Systems, Firmware & Digital Signal Processing

Develop, implement, test, and troubleshoot embedded software and firmware for electronic communication systems.

Perform real-time embedded programming and hardware/software integration.

Design and implement digital audio signal processing functions using DSPs, microcontrollers, microprocessors, and/or FPGAs.

Develop and optimize embedded electronic systems for audio communication and specialized electronic applications.

Troubleshoot complex hardware, firmware, and system-level performance issues.

Perform analog and digital circuit simulation to validate and optimize electronic designs.

Develop and execute component-level, circuit-board-level, and complete system-level testing.

Evaluate electronic system performance and implement improvements to reliability and functionality.

Electronic Testing, Validation & Troubleshooting

Develop electronic prototypes, testing procedures, and specialized test fixtures.

Perform design verification, product validation, performance testing, and reliability evaluations.

Diagnose component-level, IC-level, circuit-board-level, and system-level electronic failures.

Conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective actions to resolve technical issues.

Evaluate signal integrity, electronic noise, EMI, and other electrical performance characteristics.

Support hardware and firmware integration testing throughout the product development lifecycle.

Identify opportunities to improve electronic system performance, reliability, and manufacturability.

Manufacturing Engineering & Production Support

Provide engineering support to manufacturing teams, including troubleshooting electronic assemblies and resolving production-related technical issues.

Support printed circuit board (PCB) and printed circuit assembly (PCA) development, fabrication, assembly, and production.

Develop and improve manufacturing test procedures, equipment, and specialized electronic test fixtures.

Collaborate with manufacturing, purchasing, and quality assurance teams on electronic component selection and supplier qualification.

Support contract manufacturers and electronic component suppliers as needed.

Provide technical guidance and training to production technicians and manufacturing personnel.

Investigate production failures and recommend design or process improvements.

Support product reliability, design for manufacturability (DFM), and cost optimization initiatives.

Engineering Documentation & Quality Assurance

Develop and maintain engineering specifications, schematics, technical drawings, test procedures, and product development records.

Prepare Design and Development Plans (DDP), Design and Development Schedules (DDS) , and engineering design reviews.

Maintain accurate documentation throughout the electronic product development lifecycle.

Ensure engineering activities align with applicable ISO quality management procedures .

Support product testing, design verification, and manufacturing quality improvement.

Document technical findings, product failures, corrective actions, and engineering changes.

Identify opportunities to improve engineering processes, documentation, and product quality.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Technical Support

Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, quality assurance, purchasing, and other internal departments.

Coordinate engineering projects involving internal personnel, outside suppliers, and technical resources.

Provide technical guidance to production technicians and support personnel.

Assist with technical product evaluations, customer troubleshooting, and post-sale failure investigations.

Support product improvements based on manufacturing feedback, technical evaluations, and customer requirements.

Participate in engineering design reviews and product development meetings.

Provide technical recommendations to improve electronic product functionality, performance, and reliability.

Qualifications & Requirements

Required Education & Professional Experience

Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Engineering .

Approximately 8–10 years of professional experience performing hands-on electronic circuit design and product development, depending on education and qualifications.

Demonstrated experience designing and developing analog and digital electronic circuits and products .

Strong background in audio electronics, embedded systems, firmware development, and electronic hardware design .

Experience designing electronic products within a regulated or quality-controlled manufacturing environment.

Proven experience taking electronic products through design, prototyping, testing, and manufacturing.

Hands-on experience performing component-level, circuit-board-level, and system-level troubleshooting.

Ability to independently solve complex electronic design challenges and support products throughout their lifecycle.

Analog & Digital Circuit Design

Strong hands-on experience designing, simulating, testing, and troubleshooting analog and digital electronic circuits.

Experience with electronic schematic development, component selection, and circuit simulation.

Knowledge of audio signal paths, analog amplification, and digital audio processing.

Understanding of circuit impedance matching, signal integrity, and electronic noise.

Knowledge of board-level electromagnetic interference (EMI) and digital interface design.

Familiarity with digital power circuitry and electronic power management.

Understanding of amplifier performance measurements, including signal-to-noise ratio, noise figure (NF), and 1 dB compression point (P1dB) , where applicable.

Experience with design verification, electronic performance testing, and built-in self-test (BIST) functionality.

Embedded Systems, Firmware & DSP

Experience developing electronic hardware utilizing microcontrollers, microprocessors, DSPs, and/or FPGAs .

Practical experience developing, testing, and troubleshooting real-time embedded software and firmware .

Strong understanding of digital signal processing and electronic communication systems.

Experience with digital audio processing, audio amplification, or communication electronics.

Ability to troubleshoot hardware/software integration issues.

Knowledge of embedded system architecture, digital interfaces, and electronic system integration.

Experience performing component-level, IC-level, board-level, and system-level testing.

Ability to develop and optimize embedded electronic products for performance and reliability.

Engineering Software & Technical Tools

Experience with OrCAD for electronic schematic design and related engineering applications.

Familiarity with AutoCAD .

Experience with MPLAB X for embedded development.

Knowledge of Texas Instruments Code Composer Studio (TI CCS) .

Experience utilizing analog and digital circuit simulation software.

Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Word .

Familiarity with engineering documentation and project scheduling tools.

Ability to use electronic testing equipment and troubleshooting tools.

Manufacturing, Testing & Quality Knowledge

Experience supporting PCB/PCA development, fabrication, assembly, and production .

Strong understanding of electronic product testing, design verification, and failure analysis.

Experience developing manufacturing test procedures and specialized electronic test fixtures.

Knowledge of electronic manufacturing processes and production troubleshooting.

Familiarity with ISO quality management procedures.

Ability to perform root cause analysis and implement corrective actions.

Understanding of electronic component selection, supplier qualification, and product reliability.

Knowledge of design for manufacturability and continuous improvement principles.

Professional Skills

Excellent analytical, technical troubleshooting, and problem-solving abilities.

Strong attention to detail and commitment to engineering accuracy.

Effective written and verbal communication skills.

Ability to work independently and take ownership of complex electronic design projects.

Strong organizational and project coordination capabilities.

Ability to collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, purchasing, and quality assurance teams.

Comfortable working directly with electronic components, circuit boards, testing equipment, and manufacturing personnel.

Strong commitment to product quality, reliability, and continuous improvement.

Preferred Experience

Experience designing audio communication equipment, intercom systems, digital audio processors, or audio amplification products .

Background developing underwater communication systems, military electronics, defense equipment, or other specialized electronic products .

Experience with PCB/PCA fabrication, production, assembly, and design-for-manufacturability practices.

Experience supporting contract manufacturers, electronic component suppliers, and production operations.

Familiarity with CE, UL, ISO, FDA, GMP , or other applicable quality and regulatory standards.

Experience with LED lighting electronics or related product development.

Previous experience leading engineering projects or coordinating cross-functional technical teams.

Work Environment & Location

Primarily onsite position based in Vista, CA .

Work involves hands-on electronic product development, circuit design, testing, and troubleshooting.

Regular collaboration with engineering, manufacturing, and quality assurance personnel.

Extensive use of electronic testing equipment, engineering software, and development tools.

Limited-duration remote work may be available depending on business requirements and individual circumstances.

Employment Type: Full time

Location: Vista, CA