Job#: 3038537 Job Description: Electrical Engineer - EtherCAT / Real-Time SystemsLocation: Remote (75%+ travel to Seattle & Spokane)
Duration: 3-6 months
Engagement Type: Contract
OverviewWe are seeking a highly specialized Electrical Engineer to evaluate, redesign, and optimize an EtherCAT network architecture supporting an advanced automated system. This individual will diagnose current performance issues, improve system reliability, and drive enhancements across both software and hardware layers.
Key Responsibilities- Evaluate and redesign EtherCAT network architecture, including topology, performance, and fault tolerance
- Analyze fieldbus communication at the wire level, decode device error states, and identify failure patterns
- Troubleshoot network issues related to distributed systems and ring topology behavior
- Perform deep analysis of Linux networking stack, including driver-level and connection management behavior
- Diagnose issues across NIC and PHY hardware layers
- Conduct hands-on hardware troubleshooting (component swaps, register comparisons, validation against known-good systems)
- Lead root cause analysis across hardware, firmware, and configuration layers
- Support real-time Linux environments, including system debugging and process forensics
- Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams to implement performance and reliability improvements
Required Qualifications- Strong experience with EtherCAT or similar industrial fieldbus protocols
- Hands-on experience with CODESYS and/or TwinCAT
- Deep understanding of Linux networking stack internals (drivers, TX queues, DMA, IRQ affinity)
- Experience working at the NIC/PHY hardware level, including register-level debugging
- Proven ability to diagnose and resolve issues in complex distributed or real-time systems
- Experience with real-time Linux environments and system-level debugging
- Strong independent problem-solving skills in ambiguous, high-impact environments
Preferred Qualifications- Background in industrial automation, robotics, or material handling systems
- Experience redesigning or optimizing distributed control networks
- Familiarity with high-availability or fault-tolerant system design
Everforth Apex is a world-class IT services company that serves thousands of clients across the globe. When you join Everforth Apex, you become part of a team that values innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning. We offer quality career resources, training, certifications, development opportunities, and a comprehensive benefits package. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in many awards, including ClearlyRateds Best of Staffing in Talent Satisfaction in the United States and Great Place to Work in the United Kingdom and Mexico.
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Everforth Apex Benefits Overview: Everforth Apex offers a range of supplemental benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and other insurance plans that offer an optional layer of financial protection. We offer an ESPP (employee stock purchase program) and a 401K program which allows you to contribute typically within 30 days of starting, with a company match after 12 months of tenure. Everforth Apex also offers a HSA (Health Savings Account on the HDHP plan), a SupportLinc Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with up to 8 free counseling sessions, a corporate discount savings program and other discounts. In terms of professional development, Everforth Apex hosts an on-demand training program, provides access to certification prep and a library of technical and leadership courses/books/seminars once you have 6+ months of tenure, and certification discounts and other perks to associations that include CompTIA and IIBA. Everforth Apex has a dedicated customer service team for our Consultants that can address questions around benefits and other resources, as well as a certified Career Coach. You can access a full list of our benefits, programs, support teams and resources within our 'Welcome Packet' as well, which an Everforth Apex team member can provide.
Everforth Apex Systems is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, genetic information, registered domestic partner status, marital status, disability, status as a crime victim, protected veteran status, political affiliation, union membership, or any other characteristic protected by law. Everforth Apex will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law.
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