Job Title: Electrical Characterization Engineer
Location: Irvine, CA
Work Arrangement: 100% Onsite
Employment Type: Contract
Duration: 6 months
Pay Range: $28.00/hr. to $30.77/hr. on W2 | $35.71/hr. to $40.00/hr. on C2C
Domain: Automotive / Electric Vehicles (EV)
Application Deadline: June 15, 2026
SKILLS REQUIRED:
Primary (Must-Have):
8 to 9+ years of experience in electrical engineering or hardware validation, specifically focused on electrical characterization
Deep technical expertise with automotive Electronic Control Units (ECUs), with specific focus on Battery Management Systems (BMS) or Zonal controller architectures
Hands-on proficiency in executing electrical parameter testing, such as signal integrity, power consumption profiles, transient voltage response, and timing analysis
Expertise with advanced laboratory test equipment: high-bandwidth oscilloscopes, network analyzers, programmable power supplies, and automated data acquisition (DAQ) units
Proven background in hardware validation activities, including creating test setups, debugging circuitry, and analyzing raw parametric performance data
Secondary (Good to Have):
Familiarity with automotive communication standards (CAN, CAN-FD, LIN, Automotive Ethernet) and network bus analysis tools
Experience interpreting complex electrical schematics, PCB layouts, and component datasheets to trace design vulnerabilities
Scripting/automation skills (Python, MATLAB, or LabVIEW) to control test instruments and process large parametric datasets
Strong analytical documentation skills to draft validation reports, variance summaries, and performance metric dashboards for design engineers
POSITION OVERVIEW
We are seeking a highly analytical Senior Electrical Characterization Engineer specializing in Zonals and Battery Management Systems (BMS) to join our validation team onsite in Irvine, CA. This specialized engineering role focuses on the physical characterization and performance envelope validation of next-generation automotive ECUs. Operating in a high-fidelity laboratory environment, you will bridge the gap between initial hardware design and production readiness by running rigorous parametric electrical tests, verifying signal margins, and ensuring these vital control units maintain absolute operational stability under all load and environmental boundaries.
ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Architect, configure, and execute precise electrical characterization test plans for zonal controllers and BMS hardware modules to map performance margins.
Evaluate and analyze critical electrical metrics, including power-rail noise, transient switch behaviors, quiescent current draw, and high-speed signal integrity.
Set up advanced bench instrumentation, utilizing digital oscilloscopes, current probes, logic analyzers, and environmental chambers to stress-test prototype systems.
Debug erratic electronic behaviors or component-level hardware variance during test runs, executing deep-dive root-cause analysis down to the integrated circuit (IC) level.
Collaborate with hardware design teams to present parametric test data, highlight design-to-specification variances, and recommend hardware optimizations.
Structure and maintain comprehensive, auditable test logs, validation run-sheets, and final engineering reports to verify compliance with internal qualification standards.
BENEFITS
Medical | Dental | Vision | 401(k)
EEOC Compliance
We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.
DISCLAIMER
AI Usage Policy: Pacer Group uses AI to assist in screening applications. Final hiring decisions are made by human recruiters based on qualifications and experience.