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)

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.

• 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

• Design and support industrial PC-based control architectures (non-PLC platforms)
• Integrate industrial PCs with distributed I/O and motion systems (Ether
  
  CAT 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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 (Ether
  
  CAT preferred)
• Proficiency in electrical CAD software (AutoCAD Electrical, SEE, EPLAN, or similar)
• Ability to troubleshoot electrical hardware and computer-based control systems

• 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

• 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