Electrical Design Engineer (Industrial Automation)Employment Type: Full-Time, Direct HireLocation: Midlothian, VirginiaStatus: Accepting CandidatesSalary: $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