Job Title: Electrical Systems Engineer Job DescriptionThis role focuses on the design, integration, and support of electrical systems for autonomous and unmanned vehicle platforms. You will take electrical and sensor subsystems from concept through physical vehicle integration, including component selection, wiring and harness development, installation, documentation, and troubleshooting. The position is highly hands-on and is ideal for an engineer who has integrated sensors, electrical hardware, power, communications, and other electronic systems onto vehicles, mobile robotics, heavy equipment, or autonomous platforms, particularly in complex off-road environments.Responsibilities
- Design and integrate electrical systems for autonomous and unmanned vehicle platforms.
- Develop electrical architectures and integration designs for sensors, computers, controllers, communications equipment, power distribution, and supporting vehicle electronics.
- Design and document sensor wiring, cable assemblies, harnesses, connectors, and electrical interfaces to support robust vehicle operation.
- Create and maintain electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, interconnect drawings, installation drawings, and other technical documentation.
- Select and source electrical components, connectors, cabling, sensors, and related materials required for vehicle builds.
- Support the physical build, installation, and integration of electrical systems onto vehicle platforms in a hands-on capacity.
- Route and package wiring and electrical hardware with a focus on serviceability, reliability, and suitability for rugged vehicle environments.
- Collaborate closely with mechanical, robotics, software, and systems engineers to ensure successful integration of electrical hardware into complete systems.
- Support prototype vehicle builds, system bring-up, integration, and testing activities.
- Troubleshoot electrical and electromechanical issues during vehicle integration and field testing, and implement effective corrective actions.
- Update drawings, schematics, and documentation based on lessons learned during prototype builds and testing to improve future designs.
Essential Skills
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, or a related discipline.
- Strong experience with electrical systems integration and electrical design.
- Experience integrating electrical and electronic equipment into vehicles, autonomous systems, robotics, heavy equipment, military vehicles, mobile machinery, or similar complex systems.
- Experience designing or integrating sensor systems and associated wiring.
- Ability to develop electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, harness documentation, and technical drawings.
- Experience selecting and sourcing electrical components, connectors, cabling, sensors, and materials for vehicle builds.
- Hands-on ability to support vehicle wiring, fabrication, assembly, installation, and troubleshooting.
- Understanding of electrical power distribution, grounding, connectors, communications interfaces, and sensor integration.
- Ability to work independently in a rapid prototype and research and development engineering environment.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Experience with autonomous vehicles, unmanned ground vehicles (UGV), robotics, defense systems, automotive, or off-highway vehicles.
- Experience working with perception and navigation sensors such as LiDAR, radar, cameras, GPS/GNSS, IMUs, encoders, or similar technologies.
- Experience designing vehicle wiring harnesses and cable assemblies.
- Familiarity with vehicle and industrial communication protocols such as CAN, CAN-FD, Ethernet, and RS-232/422/485.
- Familiarity with ruggedized connectors and electrical components suitable for harsh environments.
- Experience supporting prototype builds and field testing activities.
- Familiarity with electrical CAD tools such as SolidWorks Electrical, AutoCAD Electrical, Zuken, Capital, or equivalent.
Work EnvironmentYou will work in a dynamic rapid prototype and R&D environment focused on developing autonomous systems for complex off-road applications. The role involves a mix of office-based design work using electrical CAD tools and hands-on work in lab and shop spaces to support vehicle wiring, fabrication, assembly, installation, and testing. You will regularly collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including mechanical, robotics, software, and systems engineers, and you will participate in prototype builds, system bring-up, and field testing of autonomous and unmanned vehicle platforms in rugged conditions. Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract position based out of Warrendale, PA. Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $95.00 - $110.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.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) Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract position based out of Warrendale, PA. Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Nov 18, 2026. Workplace TypeThis is a hybrid position in Warrendale,PA.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.
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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.
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Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
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