Electrical Design Engineer

The Electrical Design Engineer supports the design, documentation, and release of high-voltage (HV) and low-voltage (LV) hardware components and wiring harness systems for military and specialty vehicles. This role works under the direction of senior electrical engineers to develop wiring schematics, harness drawings, connector specifications, and power distribution design. The position provides a strong development path into electrical systems engineering within the defense vehicle sector.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist in the design and documentation of HV power distribution hardware, including contactors, fuses, bus bars, disconnect switches, and junction boxes.
• Develop LV wiring harness designs: schematics, harness drawings, connector pin-outs, splice details, and wire routing within the vehicle package.
• Create and maintain wire lists, connector tables, and circuit descriptions for vehicle electrical systems.
• Support 3D harness routing in CAD, ensuring compliance with bend radius, clearance, and serviceability requirements.
• Assist in component selection by researching connectors, terminals, grommets, and protective sleeving that meet environmental and performance specifications.
• Assist in hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) system design and implementation for electrification and drive-by-wire systems in the prototype development stage.
• Generate and release engineering drawings and associated documentation per company drafting standards and configuration management procedures.
• Support design reviews by preparing presentation materials, redlines, and design check summaries.
• Assist in DVP&R planning and test support for electrical components, including continuity checks, insulation resistance, and environmental testing.
• Collaborate with vehicle integration and manufacturing engineering on harness assembly sequences and installation procedures.
• Maintain awareness of applicable standards including SAE J1128, SAE J1742, MIL-STD-461, and customer-specific electrical requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, or related discipline.
• 0–3 years of experience in electrical design, wiring harness design, or related role (internship/co-op experience counts).
• Basic proficiency with CAD tools for 2D schematic capture and/or 3D harness routing.
• Foundational understanding of electrical circuits, power distribution, and wiring principles.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and connector specifications.
• Strong attention to detail and willingness to learn defense-sector engineering processes.
• Must be a U.S. Person as defined by ITAR (22 CFR §120.62): a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Capital Harness, Zuken, Mentor/Vesys, or similar harness design tools.
• Familiarity with HV safety practices and high-voltage interlock loop (HVIL) design concepts.
• Coursework or experience with EMI/EMC principles or MIL-STD-461 requirements.
• Exposure to automotive or military wiring standards (SAE, USCAR, MIL-DTL).
• Experience with any PLM/PDM system for drawing release and change management.

Working Conditions

• Primarily office-based with periodic time in the prototype shop and engineering lab.
• May require occasional lifting of harness assemblies or prototype components (up to 25 lbs).
• Limited travel; occasional supplier or customer site visits as needed.

ND Defense LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.