Electrical Engineer

Acara Solutions seeks an Electrical Engineer for our client in Manassas, VA.

• Design and develop printed circuit boards (PCBs) for power systems and electronic assemblies.
• Create schematics, perform component selection, and generate bills of materials.
• Collaborate with PCB layout team to optimize component placement, routing, signal integrity, and thermal management.
• Support circuit simulation and analysis using SPICE or similar tools.
• Assist with PCB bring-up, testing, debugging, and design verification.
• Generate design documentation, including schematics, assembly drawings, and design specifications.
• Perform design reviews and incorporate feedback from senior engineers.
• Support integration and testing of circuit boards into larger system assemblies.
• Learn and apply IPC standards and best practices for PCB design and manufacturing.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including mechanical engineers, test engineers, and manufacturing.

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering or Science or Engineering or Mathematics.
• Minimum of 4 years of Coursework or project experience with PCB design and development.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience with circuit simulation tools (LTSpice, PSpice, or similar).
• Minimum of 4 years of experience with lab equipment such as oscilloscopes, multimeters, and function generators.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience with common communication interfaces (SPI, I2C, UART, USB).

• Solid understanding of electrical engineering fundamentals, including analog and digital circuit design.
• Strong interest in PCB design and hands-on hardware development.
• Eagerness to learn PCB design tools and industry best practices.
• Team player who thrives in collaborative environments and seeks mentorship.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to design quality.
• Analytical problem-solving skills with hands-on debugging capabilities.
• Effective communication skills with the ability to document designs clearly.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development in circuit board design.
• Familiarity with schematic capture tools (OrCAD Capture, Altium Designer, KiCad, or similar).
• Understanding of PCB layout considerations, including trace width, impedance control, and layer stackup.
• Knowledge of analog and digital circuit design fundamentals.
• Understanding of signal integrity concepts and high-speed design principles.
• Familiarity with power supply design (linear regulators, DC-DC converters).
• Knowledge of component selection and datasheets interpretation.
• Understanding of PCB manufacturing processes and design for manufacturability (DFM).
• Familiarity with IPC standards (IPC-2221, IPC-2222, etc.).
• Knowledge of thermal management and heat dissipation in PCB design.
• Understanding of EMI/EMC design considerations.
• Exposure to microcontrollers or embedded systems design.
• Internship or co-op experience in hardware design or PCB development.
• Senior design project involving custom PCB development.

Additional Information:

• Upon offer of employment, the individual will be subject to a background check and a drug screen.
• In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the necessary employment eligibility verification form upon hire.
• Under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), all employees assigned to this client must provide documentation verifying their status as a 'U.S. Person', as defined in ITAR clause 120.15. A U.S. Person is a protected individual under the anti-discrimination provisions of U.S. immigration laws.
• Active Secret Clearance.