Electrical Design Engineer

Description

Autocar, LLC headquartered in Birmingham, AL, a manufacturer of severe-duty vocational trucks carrying the first specialized truck brand in North America, is the only American-owned and operated original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of trucks. Autocar’s severe-duty vocational trucks provide customers with the perfect tool for their jobs with the most uptime, support, and impact on their bottom line. Autocar collaborates with customers to build trucks to their exact specifications and needs. Autocar promises to provide trucks that deliver the best value, provide the best service, and provide a complete solution for customers’ needs.

Summary:

The Electrical Design Engineer is responsible for designing and developing electrical systems and components for heavy-duty trucks. This role focuses on creating innovative, reliable electrical architectures that meet performance, safety, and regulatory standards, while supporting efficient production processes and enhancing vehicle features for customer sales appeal.

Location: Hagerstown, IN

 What We Offer

• Competitive compensation that recognizes your skills, experience, and impact
• Performance-based annual bonuses that reward results and contributions
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage to support your well-being
• 401(k) with a 4% company match to help you invest in your future
• 8 paid company holidays to rest, recharge, and maintain work-life balance

Key Responsibilities:

• Medium and Heavy-duty truck chassis harness design using 3D CAD – and 2D Schematic software.
• Vehicle Electrical Systems Design, including 3D Wiring design in Siemens NX, creating 2D Harness Drawings and Schematics.
• Prepare technical documentation, reports, and drawings for design reviews, regulatory submissions, and manufacturing handoff.
• Evaluate scope of work and manage project timelines.
• Prepare bills of materials and their representative 3D assemblies (Unigraphics NX).
• Product data management (entering designs and related info into PDM software – Team Center)
• Conduct simulations, prototyping, and testing of electrical designs to validate functionality, durability, and compliance with standards such as SAE, FMVSS, and ISO.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including mechanical engineers, production staff, suppliers, and retail sales, to address design challenges and support custom truck configurations for customer needs.
• Analyze electrical system performance data, identifying improvements for cost reduction, energy efficiency, and reliability in manufacturing assembly and retail vehicle performance.
• Support supplier selection and evaluation for electrical components, ensuring quality and cost-effectiveness in the supply chain.
• Troubleshoot electrical issues during prototyping, production, and post-sales support, recommending solutions to minimize downtime and enhance product quality.
• Stay updated on emerging technologies, such as electrification and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), to incorporate into future truck designs.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives, applying principles like DFMEA to refine electrical designs for manufacturing efficiency and sales competitiveness.

Requirements:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Electronics/Mechatronics Engineering, or a related field required.
• Master’s degree or professional certifications (e.g., PE license) preferred.

Experience:

• 1-3 years of experience in electrical design engineering, preferably in the automotive or heavy machinery industry.
• Hands-on experience with vehicle electrical systems, including design for manufacturing and integration in production environments.
• Familiarity with ERP systems and design software in a manufacturing setting.

Skills:

• Proficiency in CAD tools such as AutoCAD, SolidWorks Electrical, or CATIA for schematic and harness design.
• Strong knowledge of electrical standards, codes, and testing methodologies relevant to heavy-duty vehicles.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex data and simulations.
• Effective communication and collaboration abilities for working with multidisciplinary teams.
• Technical aptitude for emerging technologies like EV systems, CAN bus networks, and IoT integration.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, geometric tolerances, perform tolerance stack-up and component clearance analysis.
• Ability to understand customer needs and requirements and translate these to technical requirements.
• Ability to develop and maintain technical roadmaps.
• Ability to plan and execute project plans.
• Ability to guide and mentor other engineers.
• Innovative and self-driven.
• Hands-on approach to problem solving.
• Readily able to adjust to changing priorities.
• Objective orientated, setting goals and meeting deadlines.
• Team player.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Strong time management skills.
• Quick learner who requires minimal supervision and possesses good problem-solving skills.
• Team player with excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.

Work Environment:

• A mix of office, lab, and manufacturing floor settings within the heavy-duty truck production and sales facility.
• Standard business hours, typically Monday to Friday, with occasional overtime for project deadlines, testing, or production support.
• Collaborative environment involving design reviews, team meetings, and occasional travel to suppliers or customer sites.
• Exposure to industrial areas requires personal protective equipment (PPE) during prototyping or testing.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit at a desk for extended periods while working on computer-aided design software.
• Capable of standing, walking, and bending during lab testing or production floor visits.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds, such as electrical components or testing equipment.
• Visual acuity for reviewing detailed schematics, inspecting prototypes, and using computer screens.

Job Duties Disclaimer:
The duties and responsibilities outlined here are representative but not exhaustive of the tasks that the employee may be required to perform. Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other tasks as necessary to meet business needs.

Equal Employment Opportunity:
Autocar is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Reasonable Accommodations (ADA Compliance):

Autocar complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Employees who require assistance or accommodation should contact Human Resources.