Equivalent of "freelancing" in electronics design?

Question

Whereas "freelancing" only applies to writing, performing, and programming (by definition), is there some equivalent job title for an electronics designer/engineer who is self employed? Such a person may design and test circuitry for tech startups, and possibly act as a sort of outsourced quality-control for electronics manufacturers.

To perhaps clarify the question, I have extensive knowledge and unprofessional experience in electronics design, electronic test equipment, and all the necessary mathematics. The only problem is that I never went to college, and have no degree to to speak of. Because It is hard to find a decent job in the engineering field without a diploma, I am trying to go into business for myself; you could say I am in the "brainstorming" phase of making a company. I simply want to know what to call myself when I advertise.

All suggestions appreciated. Thanks

Answer 1

An Independent contractor, according to Wikipedia, is

An independent contractor is a natural person, business, or corporation that provides goods or services to another entity under terms specified in a contract or within a verbal agreement.

This is a more formal, more industry broad version of freelancer.

As an aside, the word freelancer is also supposed to be industry broad (" a term commonly used for a person who is self-employed and is not necessarily committed to a particular employer long-term"), however depending on the culture of the region on which it's used, it may imply inclusion in a specific group of, usually creative, fields.

I'm a freelance Electrical Engineer and I generally tend to describe myself as a freelancer in an informal setting (between friends) and independent contractor in a business/tax setting (talking to an accounting firm) because independent contractor is how I am seen in a business and tax context but it feels too formal for general use.