Electrical Controls Engineer

Job Title: Electrical Controls Engineer / Control Panel Designer

Job Description

This role focuses on the full lifecycle design, development, and validation of industrial control panels that support cutting-edge battery technology. As a key member of the BMS Hardware and Electrical Systems team, you will own everything from component selection and schematic creation to vendor coordination and high-voltage testing. You will work closely with mechanical, electrical, and manufacturing teams to deliver safe, compliant, and reliable control panels that meet stringent industry standards in a fast-moving, mission-driven environment.

Responsibilities

• Design industrial control panels in strict compliance with NEC (NFPA 70) and UL 508A standards.
• Develop complete control panel schematics, layouts, and bills of materials (BOM) using EPLAN or equivalent design software.
• Select appropriate control panel components including connectors, wire harnesses, branch circuit protection devices such as breakers and fuses, and power conversion devices including drives, transformers, and rectifiers.
• Choose components appropriately rated for high-voltage applications up to 600V AC and 2000V DC.
• Collaborate directly with third-party panel vendors to translate design intent into fully built assemblies.
• Execute and oversee high-voltage testing procedures, including hipot testing, insulation resistance measurements, and functional validation of panels.
• Work closely with mechanical engineers on enclosure selection, thermal management, and physical integration of control panels into larger systems.
• Support activities related to panel-level failure mode identification and risk mitigation to enhance reliability and safety.
• Coordinate panel fabrication through design, build, and acceptance phases with external vendors.
• Communicate effectively with cross-functional teams and contribute to a fast-paced product development environment.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor"s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field with 5+ years of relevant experience, or an advanced degree with 3+ years of relevant experience.
• Proficiency in industrial control panel design using EPLAN or equivalent panel design software.
• Demonstrated experience designing control panels that meet NEC (NFPA 70) and UL 508A requirements.
• Hands-on experience executing high-voltage testing procedures, including hipot and insulation resistance testing, and working with associated test protocols.
• Strong working knowledge of branch protection coordination, wire sizing, and integration of power conversion devices such as drives, transformers, and rectifiers.
• Experience managing third-party panel fabrication vendors through design, build, and acceptance phases.
• Familiarity with product lifecycle management (PLM) software such as Arena or Teamcenter.
• Familiarity with product development software such as JIRA.
• Familiarity with requirements management tools such as JAMA.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work independently and effectively in cross-functional teams.
• Ability to operate in a fast-paced engineering and product development environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience specifically in panel design for battery management systems or other high-voltage applications.
• Experience with BMS hardware or electrical systems engineering.
• Comfort working with evolving processes and documentation in a rapidly growing organization.
• Ability to translate complex technical requirements into clear documentation for vendors and internal stakeholders.

Work Environment

This role is based onsite in Berkeley, California, within a fast-paced engineering and product development setting focused on groundbreaking battery technology. You will work closely with cross-functional teams that include mechanical, electrical, and manufacturing engineers, using tools such as EPLAN, PLM platforms (e.g., Arena or Teamcenter), product development software (e.g., JIRA), and requirements management tools (e.g., JAMA). The environment emphasizes collaboration, safety, and rigorous validation of high-voltage systems, offering the opportunity to contribute directly to innovative hardware solutions and to be part of a growing organization with a strong technical mission.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Berkeley, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $70.00 - $110.00/hr.

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)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Berkeley,CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 7, 2026.

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 actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com 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.