Wire Harness Design Engineer

This role focuses on designing and developing automotive battery systems, wiring harnesses, body electronics, and interior lighting for advanced vehicle programs. You will create both mechanical and electrical designs for components such as wiring harnesses, relays, fuses, fuse boxes, relay modules, control units, power distribution units, sensors, and interior lighting assemblies. Working in a research and development environment at the forefront of electric vehicles, you will use CAD tools extensively to produce 3D and 2D designs, schematics, and engineering documentation while collaborating closely with cross-functional teams and suppliers.

Responsibilities

• Design automotive wiring harnesses and circuit structures, including fusing systems, battery connections, and body electronics to meet performance, safety, and packaging requirements.
• Develop mechanical and electrical designs for wiring harness 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 and lay out the physical components of the interior lighting system, including map lights, accent lighting, and cargo lighting, ensuring integration with vehicle electrical and mechanical systems.
• Use CAD tools (3D and 2D) for mechanical design, wiring harness routing, component packaging, and creation of detailed engineering drawings.
• Use CAD tools for electrical system schematic design, including wiring diagrams, circuit layouts, and panel design.
• Conduct feasibility studies, cost analyses, and engineering calculations to evaluate design options and support specification development.
• Develop and manage specifications for wiring harnesses, circuit structures, fusing systems, battery systems, and body electronics.
• Plan, schedule, and coordinate activities for part development, including creation and execution of test plans, part reviews, vehicle-level studies, prototype fabrication, and supplier-related activities.
• Prepare clear and comprehensive reporting documentation for design evaluations, test results, and team reviews.
• Work closely with test engineers to understand and refine specifications, interpret test results, and modify designs as needed to resolve issues and improve performance.
• Collaborate and communicate effectively with purchasing, manufacturing, project teams, and suppliers to negotiate design details, align on requirements, and resolve open issues.
• Issue design releases according to project schedules and deadlines, ensuring that all deliverables meet quality and timing targets.
• Participate actively in project meetings, providing technical input and status updates, and contribute to achieving project team targets.
• Perform part cost estimation and calculation to support budgeting and sourcing decisions.
• Collaborate with suppliers on quotes and participate in cost and technical negotiations to achieve optimal value and performance.
• Mentor, train, and provide technical guidance to less experienced team members in all aspects of wiring harness and electrical mechanical design.

• Experience in designing automotive wiring harnesses, circuit structures, fusing systems, battery connections, and body electronics.
• Hands-on CAD experience for 3D and 2D mechanical design and engineering drawings, with CATIA preferred.
• Ability to use CAD tools for electrical system schematic design, including wiring diagrams and panel layouts.
• Knowledge of wiring harness mechanical and electrical components such as fuse boxes, relays, power distribution units, body and door control units, relay modules, and related electronics.
• Understanding of interior lighting design, including layout and physical design of map lights, accent lighting, and cargo lighting.
• Familiarity with automotive electrical devices including horns, exterior audible units, voltage stabilizers for idle-stop, AC inverters, batteries, battery sensors, CAN gateways, active mount control units, and keyless buzzers.
• Ability to conduct feasibility studies, cost analysis, and engineering calculations to support design decisions.
• Competence in basic engineering concepts and terminology related to mechanical statics and dynamics, circuit analysis, and electric devices.
• Proficiency with Microsoft tools for documentation, analysis, and communication.
• Strong problem-solving, decision-making, and prioritization skills.
• Effective communication skills for working with cross-functional teams and suppliers.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• At least 3 months of relevant engineering experience in design or development.
• Experience with CATIA for 3D electronic design, wireframe modeling, product design, and layout.
• Exposure to other CAD tools such as SolidWorks for mechanical or electronic design.
• Experience with harness design, circuit design, and schematic creation.
• Background in design feasibility assessment and cost analysis for components and systems.
• Experience in panel design and layout for electrical systems.
• Ability to mentor and train less experienced team members in design processes and tools.

You will work in a research and development environment that focuses on cutting-edge electric vehicle technologies. The role is part of a design team of approximately 40 people, offering opportunities for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and mentorship. The team uses modern CAD tools such as CATIA and SolidWorks, along with standard Microsoft applications, to support daily design, analysis, and documentation work. The environment emphasizes innovation, continuous improvement, and close interaction with testing, manufacturing, purchasing, and supplier teams to bring advanced automotive electrical and mechanical systems from concept to production.

Job Type & Location

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

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)

This is a hybrid position in Raymond,OH.

This position is anticipated to close on May 6, 2026.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I is embedded into our culture through:

• Hiring diverse talent
• Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection
• Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes
• Ensuring growth opportunities for our people

Actalent is an equal opportunity employer.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services. For more than 40 years, we’ve helped visionary companies advance their goals. Headquartered in the United States, our teams span 150 offices across North America, EMEA, and APAC—with four delivery centers in India led by 1,000 extraordinary employees who connect their passion with purpose every day.

Our Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai delivery centers are hubs of engineering expertise, with core capabilities in mechanical and electrical engineering, systems and software, and manufacturing engineering. Our teams deliver work across multiple industries including transportation, consumer and industrial products, and life sciences. We serve more than 4,500 clients, including many Fortune 500 brands. Learn more about how we can work together at actalentservices.com.

Salary : $35 - $39