Wire Harness Designer

Job Title: Wire Harness Designer / Electrical Mechanical Design Engineer

Job Description

This role focuses on the design and development of automotive battery systems, wiring harnesses, body electronics, and interior lighting. You will create both the mechanical and electrical aspects of wiring harness components and associated electronic modules, while also owning the layout and physical design of interior lighting elements such as map lights, accent lighting, and cargo lighting. Working in a research and development environment at the forefront of electric vehicle technology, you will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams and suppliers to deliver high-quality, cost-effective designs that meet performance and timing targets.

Responsibilities

• Design automotive wiring harnesses and circuit structures, including fusing systems, battery connections, and body electronics, ensuring robust performance and manufacturability.
• Develop detailed designs for wiring harness mechanical and electrical components such as relays, fuses, fuse boxes, relay modules, body and door control units, power distribution units, horns, exterior audible units, voltage stabilizers for idle-stop systems, AC inverters, batteries, battery sensors, CAN gateways, active mount control units, and keyless buzzers.
• Design the physical components and layouts of interior lighting systems, including map lights, accent lighting, and cargo lighting, ensuring optimal placement, integration, and functionality.
• Use CAD tools extensively for 3D and 2D mechanical design and drawings of wiring harnesses, components, and assemblies, as well as for electrical system schematic design.
• Conduct feasibility studies and design reviews to evaluate design concepts, assess risks, and confirm technical viability and integration with vehicle systems.
• Perform cost analysis and part cost estimation, including calculations to support design decisions and overall cost targets.
• Develop engineering specifications and documentation for wiring harnesses, circuit structures, fusing systems, battery systems, and body electronics.
• Schedule and coordinate activities for part development, including creating test plans, organizing part and design reviews, supporting vehicle studies, and overseeing prototype fabrication activities.
• Collaborate with suppliers throughout the part development process, including quote collaboration, technical discussions, and negotiation of design details and costs.
• Prepare clear reporting documentation for evaluations, design status, and team events, summarizing test results, design changes, and open issues.
• Work closely with test engineers to understand and refine specifications, interpret test results, and modify designs based on test outcomes and performance requirements.
• Communicate effectively with purchasing, manufacturing, project teams, and suppliers to negotiate design details, release designs according to project schedules, resolve open issues, and support project milestones.
• Participate actively in project meetings, providing technical input, status updates, and recommendations to help the team meet project targets and timelines.
• Apply basic engineering concepts and terminology related to mechanical statics and dynamics, circuit analysis, and electric devices to ensure sound design decisions.
• Use Microsoft tools to manage documentation, schedules, reports, and communication related to design and development activities.
• Mentor, train, and provide technical guidance to less experienced group members in all aspects of wiring harness and electronics design, development processes, and tools.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of design methods, CAD standards, and development processes within the design team.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• At least 3+ months of relevant experience in design or engineering.
• Hands-on experience with CAD tools for 3D and 2D mechanical design and drawings; CATIA experience preferred.
• Experience with electrical system schematic design.
• Knowledge of automotive wiring harness design and development.
• Understanding of circuit structures and fusing systems for automotive applications.
• Familiarity with body electronics, battery systems, and power distribution units.
• Ability to perform engineering drawing creation and interpretation.
• Basic understanding of engineering concepts and terminology related to mechanical statics and dynamics, circuit analysis, and electric devices.
• Proficiency with Microsoft tools for documentation, communication, and data analysis.
• Competence in problem solving, including identifying issues, evaluating options, and implementing effective solutions.
• Ability to make sound decisions and prioritize tasks in a dynamic project environment.
• Strong communication skills for effective collaboration with cross-functional teams and suppliers.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with fuse boxes, relays, relay modules, and related automotive electronic components.
• Background in harness design and circuit design for automotive or similar applications.
• Experience with CATIA layout and panel design.
• Familiarity with 3D electronic design, wireframe modeling, and product design workflows.
• Experience with wireframing for component and system layouts.
• Exposure to body and door control units, horns, exterior audible units, voltage stabilizers for idle-stop, AC inverters, battery sensors, CAN gateways, active mount control, and keyless buzzers.
• Experience conducting feasibility studies and cost analysis for design concepts and components.
• Experience estimating part costs and collaborating with suppliers on quotes and cost negotiations.
• Ability to prepare clear technical reports and documentation for evaluations, reviews, and team events.
• Experience mentoring, training, or leading less experienced team members in engineering or design functions.
• Interest in or experience with electric vehicle technologies and research and development environments.

Work Environment

You will work in a research and development environment focused on cutting-edge electric vehicle technology. The role is part of a design team of approximately 40 people, providing opportunities for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and mentorship. Daily work involves extensive use of CAD tools such as CATIA, along with other engineering software and Microsoft tools, in a professional office and lab setting. The environment emphasizes innovation, cross-functional collaboration with test, purchasing, manufacturing, and project teams, and close interaction with external suppliers. The dress code is typical for a professional engineering and R&D setting, with appropriate attire for office work and occasional visits to labs or prototype areas.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Raymond, OH.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $35.00 - $39.00/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 hybrid position in Raymond,OH.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 22, 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 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

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.