Electrical Design Engineer (Industrial Automation)

Electrical Design Engineer (Industrial Automation)
Employment Type: Full-Time, Direct Hire
Location: Midlothian, Virginia
Status: Accepting Candidates
Salary: $85,000 – $100,000 per year (Depending on Experience)

Job Overview

We are seeking an experienced Electrical Design Engineer to support the design and development of industrial automation equipment. This role focuses on industrial PC-based control systems (non-PLC architecture), motion systems integration, and electrical design for advanced automation platforms.

Electrical System Design:
• Design and develop electrical schematics for industrial automation equipment
• Specify components including industrial PCs, distributed I/O modules, servo drives, BLDC motors, sensors, safety circuits, and power distribution
• Develop panel layouts and wiring diagrams using electrical CAD software
• Design grounding, shielding, and EMI mitigation strategies for PC-based control systems
• Ensure compliance with UL, CE, CSA, and other applicable standards

Controls & Industrial PC Integration:
• Design and support industrial PC-based control architectures (non-PLC platforms)
• Integrate industrial PCs with distributed I/O and motion systems (EtherCAT or similar fieldbus networks preferred)
• Support real-time communication between PC, motion drives, vision systems, and HMI
• Collaborate with software engineers to optimize hardware selection and system performance
• Troubleshoot networking, CPU performance, BIOS configuration, drivers, and fieldbus communication

Production & Machine Validation:
• Work with panel builders and production technicians to ensure accurate builds
• Support machine startup, motion tuning, and electrical validation prior to shipment
• Participate in Factory Acceptance Tests (FATs) and commissioning as needed
• Maintain accurate electrical BOMs and documentation

Service & Customer Support:
• Assist in diagnosing and resolving electrical and controls issues
• Provide remote technical support for industrial PC systems, motion platforms, and communication networks
• Support root cause analysis for recurring field issues and implement improvements
• Capture lessons learned to improve platform reliability

Continuous Improvement:
• Improve electrical design standards across product lines
• Identify reliability and performance improvements in industrial PC hardware and architecture
• Support development of scalable electrical platforms for future machine families

Required:
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field
• 3+ years of experience in industrial automation or machine design
• Strong background in PC hardware architecture (industrial PCs preferred)
• Experience with distributed I/O systems and industrial Ethernet (EtherCAT preferred)
• Proficiency in electrical CAD software (AutoCAD Electrical, SEE, EPLAN, or similar)
• Ability to troubleshoot electrical hardware and computer-based control systems

Preferred:
• Experience designing industrial PC–based motion control systems (non-PLC architecture)
• Familiarity with servo drives, BLDC motors, and high-speed motion systems
• Knowledge of safety circuit design and compliance standards (UL, CE, CSA)
• Experience with packaging, inspection, or machine vision equipment

Benefits:
• Competitive salary ($85,000–$100,000)
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company contribution
• Paid time off and holidays
• Career growth and training opportunities

Benefits:
• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance