Electrical Hardware Designer - $80000.00 - $110000.00 / year

Title: Electrical Designer
Location: Rockford, IL
Hire Type: Direct Hire
Compensation: $85,000 to $105,000 (based on experience)
Benefits: Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance, 401k, Paid Time Off

Summary:

A leading custom automation equipment manufacturer is seeking an experienced Electrical Designer to join its engineering team near Rockford, IL. This position is responsible for developing electrical and pneumatic designs for custom automated assembly and testing equipment, ensuring designs align with overall machine concepts, mechanical requirements, customer specifications, and applicable industry standards.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in controls hardware design, including electrical panel design, electrical schematics, pneumatic systems, component selection, and machine safety. A minimum of 6 years of controls engineering experience focused on hardware design is required.

Responsibilities:

• Analyze project and design requirements and develop electrical schematics, pneumatic diagrams, and bills of material (BOMs).
• Design cost-effective electrical and pneumatic systems that meet customer requirements for performance, quality, cost, and delivery.
• Create complete and accurate engineering documentation to support machine manufacturing, assembly, testing, and field installation.
• Design electrical control panels, machine wiring systems, and pneumatic circuits for automated equipment.
• Select electrical and pneumatic components based on machine functionality, safety requirements, performance, availability, and cost.
• Develop machine safety circuits in accordance with risk assessments and applicable safety standards.
• Perform electrical modifications and rework on existing machinery and provide technical support to machine builders during equipment assembly and troubleshooting.
• Review peer electrical and hardware designs for accuracy, standardization, cost optimization, and manufacturability.
• Inspect completed machinery to verify compliance with applicable NEC, NFPA, UL, CE, and industry requirements.
• Maintain and update electrical schematics, pneumatic drawings, BOMs, and other engineering documentation.
• Support field modifications, machine retrofits, and continuous improvement projects.
• Utilize ERP systems to create and maintain BOMs, generate work orders, develop manufacturing routers, and release materials to purchasing.
• Identify opportunities to improve engineering tools, processes, and workflows to reduce design errors, rework, and project costs.
• Collaborate closely with mechanical engineers, controls engineers, machine builders, project managers, and other members of the engineering team.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent combination of education and hands-on experience in industrial automation or machinery.
• 6+ years of experience in controls engineering with a strong focus on hardware design.
• Strong experience designing electrical control panels and industrial control systems.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD Electrical, SolidWorks Electrical, or similar electrical design software.
• Experience developing one-line diagrams, electrical control schematics, wiring diagrams, and panel layouts.
• Strong understanding of electrical and machinery standards, including NFPA 79, NEC, UL 508A, ISO 12100, and related safety standards.
• Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings and 3D CAD models.
• Practical knowledge of electrical component selection, control panel layout, machine wiring, and real-world manufacturing considerations.
• Strong attention to detail with an emphasis on design accuracy, minimizing rework, and improving overall engineering quality.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively with engineering, manufacturing, and project teams.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience designing controls hardware for custom automation and automated assembly equipment.
• Experience with industrial machinery, machine builders, or automation system integrators.
• Familiarity with PLC, HMI, servo, motion control, and industrial networking systems.
• Experience with machine safety systems and risk assessments.
• Experience supporting equipment through design, build, debug, and installation phases.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.