Electronics Engineer / Freelance
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Oct 22, 2026. First seen by Alion on Sep 24, 2025. RKS Design scores B on the Alion truth index.
About Us:
RKS has been at the forefront of Industrial Design in the United States for the last 40 years. We have built a reputation for delivering full-spectrum product design and development services-creating meaningful innovation across industries, from medical devices and consumer electronics to wearables and home goods. Our cross-functional approach integrates design, engineering, and human-centered thinking to produce award-winning products that drive emotional connection and market success.
Job Summary:
We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Electronics Engineer to consult on a freelance basis with our interdisciplinary team. This role requires a hands-on, systems-level thinker who can architect and implement electronic subsystems within a variety of product categories. The ideal candidate will collaborate closely with mechanical, software, and industrial design teams to develop elegant, functional, and manufacturable products from concept through prototyping.
Key Responsibilities:
Design and develop electronic systems for consumer, medical, and industrial products.
Create schematics, select components, and develop PCB layouts using tools such as Altium or Eagle.
Develop, debug, and test analog and digital circuits including micro-controllers, power supplies, sensors, and wireless modules.
Build and program proof-of-concept electronics prototypes (e.g., Arduino, Raspberry Pi, custom boards).
Work with mechanical engineers to ensure seamless integration of electronics into the physical product design.
Collaborate with firmware and software developers to ensure hardware compatibility and performance.
Perform troubleshooting, testing, and debugging of hardware systems throughout the development lifecycle.
Contribute to documentation for design intent, testing procedures, compliance, and production hand-off.
Provide insight into design-for-manufacturing (DFM), regulatory compliance, and BOM cost optimization.
Participate in brainstorming sessions, technical reviews, and product refinement workshops.
Stay abreast of emerging technologies and component innovations relevant to product development.
Requirements
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or a related discipline; Master’s degree is a plus.
5+ years of hands-on experience designing electronics for commercial or industrial products.
Proficiency with electronic design tools (Altium Designer, Eagle, KiCad, or similar).
Strong understanding of micro-controller systems, low-power design, sensor integration, and communication protocols (I2C, SPI, UART, BLE).
Experience with embedded systems and basic firmware development is preferred.
Ability to rapidly prototype and iterate on electronic subsystems.
Excellent problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills.
Knowledge of safety, EMI/EMC, and regulatory standards (FCC, CE, IEC, ISO 60601, etc.) is a strong advantage.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience in client-facing or cross-disciplinary team environments.
Prior consulting or agency-based product development experience.
Familiarity with medical device development cycles and documentation practices is a plus.
Benefits
Medical Insurance
Dental Insurance
Paid Holidays
401(k) as defined in the employee handbook
Sick Leave
Vacation
Let me know if you'd like this adapted for a full-time role, revised for a specific sector (e.g., wearables, medical), or turned into a formatted PDF or job board post.
You said:
10 years exp, no benefits
ChatGPT said:
Here is the revised Electronics Engineer job posting reflecting 5+years of experience and no benefits, suitable for a freelance/contract role:
Job Description
About Us:
RKS has been a leader in Industrial Design for over 40 years, delivering innovation that transforms everyday life across industries-from medical devices and consumer electronics to mobility solutions and lifestyle products. Our multidisciplinary team combines creativity, engineering, and human-centered thinking to produce emotionally resonant, market-winning designs.
Job Summary:
We are looking for a highly experienced Freelance Electronics Engineer to consult with our product development team on a project-by-project basis. This role is ideal for a senior-level engineer with 10+ years of experience who can independently lead the design and integration of electronic systems across a range of complex product categories. You will collaborate with mechanical, firmware, and industrial designers to create fully integrated, production-ready solutions.
Key Responsibilities:
Lead the design, development, and testing of electronic hardware for consumer, medical, and industrial products.
Develop circuit schematics, select components, and design PCB layouts using tools like Altium, Eagle, or KiCad.
Build and program hardware prototypes using micro-controller platforms such as Arduino, STM32, or Raspberry Pi.
Collaborate with mechanical and firmware teams to ensure tight system integration and reliable operation.
Define electrical architecture, power budgets, and communication protocols (e.g., I2C, SPI, BLE, USB).
Troubleshoot and debug circuits across development stages-from bread-boarding to final PCBA.
Evaluate and specify off-the-shelf components, sensors, and modules to meet performance, cost, and compliance targets.
Prepare documentation including BOMs, test reports, and production handoff materials.
Advise on design for manufacturability (DFM), regulatory compliance, and lifecycle risk.
Contribute to design reviews and help drive technical decision-making across projects.
Requirements
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's
degree in Electromechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a
related field; a Master's degree is a plus.
- Proven
experience in designing and integrating electronics into mechanical
systems.
- Proficiency
in CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, AutoCAD) and electronic design
automation (EDA) tools (e.g., Altium SW, Eagle).
- Strong
understanding of circuit design, micro-controllers, sensors, and actuators.
- Experience
with embedded systems and firmware development is a plus.
- Excellent
problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
- Strong
communication and teamwork abilities.
- Ability
to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.
- Familiarity
with regulatory standards and certification processes for consumer,medical, and industrial products.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Client-facing,
project management experience is highly preferred
- Consulting
/ Agency experience is highly preferred
- Experience
with medical product development a plus
Benefits
Benefits
- Medical
Insurance
- Dental
Insurance
- Paid
holidays
- 401 K
as defined in the employee handbook
- Sick
leave
- Vacation