Electrical Designer

Job Title: Electrical Hardware Designer Job Description
This role focuses on designing and developing industrial control systems and electrical control panels, with a strong emphasis on creating accurate, intelligent AutoCAD Electrical designs from existing PDF documentation. You will support a growing control panel and wire harness product line by producing detailed electrical hardware designs and manufacturing documentation that form the digital foundation for advanced automated panel fabrication equipment. The position requires deep knowledge of industrial control panel construction, power distribution, component selection, and electrical safety standards for automotive, manufacturing, and industrial automation projects.
Responsibilities
- Design and develop industrial control panel hardware layouts and electrical schematics for automotive, manufacturing, and industrial automation applications.
- Create detailed wiring diagrams, interconnect drawings, bills of materials (BOMs), cable schedules, and panel layouts using electrical CAD software.
- Convert existing PDF documentation into structured AutoCAD Electrical or EPLAN designs that support automated panel fabrication processes.
- Select appropriate hardware components such as circuit breakers, disconnect switches, motor starters, variable frequency drives (VFDs), PLC systems, safety relays, power supplies, industrial networking components, and HMI equipment.
- Develop panel designs in accordance with UL 508A, NFPA 79, NEC (National Electrical Code), CSA requirements where applicable, and customer engineering standards.
- Interpret customer specifications and electrical standards to ensure designs meet all functional and compliance requirements.
- Collaborate closely with controls engineers, project managers, fabrication personnel, and field technicians throughout the project lifecycle.
- Support panel build activities by answering manufacturing questions, clarifying documentation, and resolving design-related issues in a timely manner.
- Conduct design reviews to verify functionality, maintainability, manufacturability, and adherence to safety and regulatory standards.
- Prepare complete documentation packages, including drawings and bills of materials, for customer approval and manufacturing release.
- Support factory acceptance testing (FAT) and commissioning activities as needed by reviewing designs, addressing issues, and updating documentation.
- Assist with UL inspections, audits, and documentation requirements to help maintain compliance for UL-listed panel operations.
- Maintain and improve engineering standards, templates, and hardware design best practices within the controls department.
- Contribute to multiple projects and product types, adapting to different scopes and requirements as needed.
Essential Skills
- Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, Automation Engineering, or a related field.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience designing industrial control panels or automation systems.
- At least 3 years of experience using AutoCAD Electrical for industrial control panel design.
- At least 3 years of hands-on control panel experience, including layout and wiring.
- Proficiency with one or more of the following tools: AutoCAD Electrical, EPLAN, SolidWorks Electrical, or AutoCAD.
- Ability to convert PDF files into accurate and structured electrical CAD designs, including AutoCAD Electrical and EPLAN formats.
- Strong understanding of industrial electrical systems, including 24 VDC control systems, 120/240/480 VAC power distribution, motor control circuits, safety systems, and PLC-based automation.
- Experience generating complete manufacturing packages for panel fabrication, including drawings, BOMs, and documentation.
- Solid understanding of control panel wiring practices and electrical system construction.
- Ability to interpret and apply customer specifications and relevant electrical standards.
- Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills applied to design, documentation, and manufacturing issues.
- Effective communication and collaboration skills for working with multidisciplinary teams in a controls environment.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Experience with EPLAN, Pro Panel, SmartWire, and other advanced electrical CAD and panel design tools.
- Knowledge of automotive manufacturing standards and control systems.
- Experience working in a UL-certified panel shop or supporting UL-listed panel production.
- Familiarity with Rockwell Automation, Siemens, Schneider Electric, and Rittal enclosure systems.
- Exposure to Allen-Bradley GuardLogix safety systems and related safety architectures.
- Experience supporting field installation and startup activities, including addressing design-related questions on site.
- Understanding of industrial Ethernet networks such as Ethernet/IP and Profinet.
- Desire to grow from contributing on defined tasks to handling projects from concept through completion.
- Ability to work on various projects and with different products, adapting to changing priorities and customer needs.
Work Environment
You will work within a collaborative controls department alongside other electrical designers and controls engineers who can provide support and share best practices. The team operates in a strongly team-based culture where colleagues actively help one another, fill gaps as needed, and often support different projects or roles beyond their primary focus in controls. The role is structured as a 40-hour workweek with no travel required. You will work extensively with modern electrical CAD tools and documentation systems that support automated panel fabrication, including advanced machinery that cuts, strips, crimps, and labels wires and prepares mounting plates and enclosures. The environment emphasizes knowledge sharing, continuous upskilling, and exposure to a variety of projects and products, offering opportunities to grow toward managing work from initial concept through to final delivery.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Sterling Heights, MI.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $38.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job
classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be
subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits
available for this temporary role may include the following:

Medical, dental & vision
Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
Short and long-term disability
Health Spending Account (HSA)
Transportation benefits
Employee Assistance Program
Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Sterling Heights, MI.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Nov 14, 2026.
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Sterling Heights,MI. About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without
regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,
sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected
by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or
adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,
please email [email protected] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the
city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants
with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a
condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law
shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,
including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications
and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you
acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.