What are the responsibilities and job description for the Electrical Distribution System Engineer position at Meyers Manx?
Company Overview
Meyers Manx embodies the quintessential California lifestyle—an odyssey marked by adventure, exploration, and an unwavering commitment to fun. With a legacy spanning over six decades, our name is synonymous with the spirit of sun-soaked landscapes and the visionary craftsmanship of our founder, Bruce Meyers. Today, as we chart a course into the future, Meyers Manx is not merely about vehicles; it's about pioneering innovative, enjoyable products that encapsulate the very essence of our brand.
Our story echoes with triumphs like conquering the Baja 1000—a testament to our commitment to pushing boundaries. As we redefine our narrative, each product becomes a chapter in a continuing journey, seamlessly blending innovation with the timeless thrill of the Manx way. Join us in this exciting exploration where every creation reflects the enduring connection between Meyers Manx, California, and the enthusiasts who embrace life with the same spirit that has defined us for generations.
Job Description
The Electrical Distribution Engineer is responsible for the LV design, development, validation, and release of the wiring harness and electrical power distribution system for vehicle program. This role owns harness architecture, routing, connector selection, circuit protection, and power/ground distribution from concept through production launch, ensuring the system meets functional, packaging, cost, mass, manufacturability, and reliability targets. The ideal candidate has hands-on experience with harness design tools, electrical circuit design, connector and terminal systems, and cross-functional coordination with electrical component owners, body/chassis engineering, and harness suppliers.
Job Responsibilities
Wiring Harness Architecture & Design
● Define overall vehicle wiring harness architecture and segmentation (e.g., front/engine, cockpit/IP, body/floor, rear, door harnesses) for Vehicle Program
● Develop harness routing paths through the vehicle, coordinating with body structure, closures, seating, and interior/exterior trim packaging
● Create and maintain 2D/3D harness design models using tools such as CATIA (E3, ELS), Capital, Zuken, or VeSyS
● Develop wiring diagrams and circuit schematics, defining wire-to-wire and wire-to-connector relationships across the vehicle electrical system
● Support harness architecture strategy for zonal or domain-based E/E architectures, including zone controller interface points
Power Distribution & Circuit Protection
● Design power distribution architecture, including battery junction box (BJB), power distribution box/center (PDC), and fuse/relay allocation
● Perform wire gauge sizing and current-carrying capacity calculations based on load analysis, derating, and voltage drop requirements
● Design circuit protection strategy (fuses, circuit breakers, smart power switches/eFuses) for all vehicle electrical loads
● Support 12V system design and, where applicable, power distribution and isolation/interlock strategy
● Develop grounding strategy, including ground point locations, ground strap sizing, and body/chassis ground distribution
Connector & Terminal Systems
● Select and specify connectors, terminals, and seals meeting current rating, sealing (IP rating), vibration, and durability requirements
● Define connector positioning and orientation to support assembly ergonomics and mis-mate prevention (keying/color coding)
● Support splice design (ultrasonic welding, crimp splices) and wire-to-wire joining strategy
● Coordinate connector sealing strategy at body/harness pass-through locations (grommets, bulkhead seals) for water intrusion prevention
EMC, Signal Integrity & Diagnostics
● Support EMC/EMI design practices for wiring routing, shielding, and twisted-pair/coax cable applications (e.g., camera, radar, Ethernet, antenna feeds)
● Support high-speed data communication wiring design (CAN, CAN-FD, LIN, Automotive Ethernet) including impedance and routing requirements
● Support diagnostic architecture requirements (UDS, DoIP) as they relate to wiring and connector interfaces
● Support electrical load analysis, including quiescent current (key-off) and battery drain/parasitic draw management
Packaging & Vehicle Integration
● Coordinate harness packaging and routing with body-in-white, closures, interior trim, seating, and exterior teams to avoid interference and chafe risk
● Define harness retention strategy (clips, tape, conduit, routing channels) and protection against heat, abrasion, and moisture exposure
● Support door and liftgate/tailgate harness design, including boot/grommet design for moving closures and flex/durability requirements
● Support under hood and underbody harness routing considering thermal exposure, splash/water zones, and serviceability
Testing & Validation
● Develop and execute DVP&R test plans for harness assemblies, connectors, and circuit protection devices
● Support electrical validation testing: continuity, voltage drop, insulation resistance, and current-carrying capacity testing
● Support environmental and durability testing (thermal cycling, vibration, humidity, salt spray, flex/fatigue) for harness assemblies and connectors
● Support vehicle-level electrical integration testing and troubleshooting during prototype builds
● Conduct root cause analysis on field issues and warranty claims related to wiring, connectors, or circuit protection
Functional Safety & Compliance
● Support electrical system design per ISO 26262 functional safety requirements for safety-relevant circuits
● Ensure wiring and connector designs meet applicable SAE and USCAR standards (e.g., USCAR-2 connector systems, USCAR-21 harness testing, USCAR-25 wire specifications)
● Support high-voltage isolation and interlock (HVIL) design where 48V or higher-voltage systems are present
● Apply secure design practices for wiring supporting connected vehicle and cybersecurity-relevant circuits per ISO/SAE 21434 where applicable
Supplier & Cross-Functional Management
● Manage Tier 1 harness suppliers on design, cost, quality, and program timing
● Coordinate with systems engineering, body/chassis, interior/exterior, powertrain, and software/controls teams on electrical load and interface requirements
● Support PPAP, supplier quality reviews, and production readiness activities, including harness assembly plant coordination
● Participate in design reviews, DFMEA, and change control processes for electrical distribution content
Cost & Program Management
● Support cost target management and value engineering for harness and power distribution BOM (wire gauge optimization, connector count reduction, splice consolidation)
● Track program timing milestones and deliverables (concept, prototype builds, validation, launch) for electrical distribution content
● Support mass and complexity reduction initiatives, including wire gauge downsizing and harness architecture simplification
● Develop schematics, harness architecture, power distribution, circuit protection, fuse and relay strategy, grounding, connectors, wire sizing, routing, packaging, and electrical BOM.
● Coordinate suppliers, release designs, support builds, and troubleshoot issues.
Experience / Profile
● Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical/Computer Engineering, or related field
● 4 years of experience in automotive wiring harness or electrical distribution system design, development and supporting Prototype and Production Builds
● Proficiency with harness design/schematic tools (CATIA E3/ELS, Capital, Zuken, or VeSyS)
● Understanding of electrical circuit design fundamentals: wire sizing, voltage drop, current-carrying capacity, and circuit protection
● Familiarity with automotive connector and terminal systems, and relevant USCAR/SAE standards
● Familiarity with vehicle network protocols (CAN, CAN-FD, LIN; Automotive Ethernet a plus)
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Why Join Us?
If you're ready to bring your expertise to Meyers Manx and help shape the future of off-road adventure vehicles, we'd love to hear from you. Join our team and help write the next chapter of an iconic California brand.