DRE Wiring

Actalent; Warren (MI); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Transportation benefits

Job summary

Actalent, a global engineering services provider, seeks a Power Signal Distribution Systems Wiring Design Release Engineer in Warren, MI to design and release wiring systems for vehicle programs. You will collaborate with interiors, body, purchasing, and manufacturing to ensure quality, cost, and performance in the wiring architecture.

The role emphasizes wire harnesses, connectors, and 3D packaging, requiring a Bachelor's in Engineering and 2+ years in power signal or harness packaging, with a

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering required.
• 2+ years post-graduation engineering experience in power signal or wiring harness packaging.
• Understanding of engineering theory and electrical/mechanical systems.

Responsibilities

• Provide PSDS input for supplier reviews.
• Develop harness parts lists and complexity studies.
• Manage changes and program timing for wiring systems.
• Coordinate supplier activities in engineering factory.

Skills

Power distribution knowledge

Wiring harness design

Team collaboration

Engineering software

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

CAD tools

Job description

Job Title: Power Signal Distribution Systems Wiring Design Release Engineer

Job Description

The Power and Signal Distribution Systems (PSDS) DRE Wiring Engineer plays a key role in designing and implementing power and signal distribution wiring systems for vehicle programs. This electrical engineering position sits within the Product Development Team in the Electrical SMT and focuses on wire harnesses, connectors, and related components. The engineer works closely with cross-functional teams in interiors, body, purchasing, marketing, manufacturing, and vehicle program groups to ensure the wiring system is fully integrated into the vehicle architecture with a strong focus on quality, cost, and performance.

Responsibilities

• Provide program-specific sourcing requirements and PSDS technical input for supplier technical reviews.

• Develop initial harness parts lists and perform complexity studies for power and signal distribution systems.

• Maintain program continuity by understanding the PSDS Statement of Requirements, program timing, issues, and plans, and by managing required changes.

• Coordinate and manage supplier activities within the engineering factory to support wiring system development.

• Participate in interface tradeoff discussions and help resolve system integration issues across vehicle systems.

• Manage cost, quality, mass, and related performance metrics for the power and signal distribution system, including program and content changes.

• Support pre-production build events, including both physical and virtual builds, to validate wiring designs and integration.

• Ensure the design, development, and release of the wiring system are fully integrated into the vehicle architecture with a strong emphasis on quality and robustness.

• Lead Product Development Team meetings to ensure timing, deliverables, and program milestones are achieved.

• Lead or support benchmarking activities to drive innovation, inform tradeoff decisions, and support cost-benefit analyses.

• Lead or support peer reviews and assembly plant launch and remediation activities to address wiring-related issues.

• Perform complex design analysis and develop engineering designs, including subsystems, and implement engineering changes as needed.

• Define and balance system requirements for power and signal distribution to meet performance and packaging constraints.

• Plan and execute test and development programs for wiring systems and related components.

• Release parts and subsystems for production, following established design release and engineering change processes.

• Design and specify wire harnesses, connectors, and grommets, partnering with a harness designer to translate requirements into detailed layouts.

• Collaborate with electrical architects and peers on assigned program teams (such as truck and EV programs) to resolve harness issues and optimize designs.

• Review harness issues, collaborate with leads and peers to identify root causes, and drive issue resolution.

• Support weekly Product Development Team meetings, which may include leading discussions, presenting status, and tracking action items.

• Participate in issue resolution meetings and program team forums, including work order releases and other activities focused on solving wiring and packaging problems.

• Apply awareness of 3D packaging and design analysis to evaluate harness routing and component placement in collaboration with design partners.

• Engage in cross-functional work with program teams and other SMTs, building strong relationships to support successful program execution.

Skills Required

• Bachelors degree in Engineering is required.

• Minimum of 2 years of post-graduation engineering experience, preferably in power signal or wire harness packaging.

• Understanding of engineering theory and operating principles of mechanical and electrical systems.

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work independently and collaboratively in cross-functional teams.

• Prior hands-on mechanical or electrical troubleshooting and repair experience; relevant personal or hobby automotive experience is valued.

• Working knowledge of engineering software and systems relevant to electrical and wiring design and release.

• Willingness to travel as needed for program and plant support.

• Vehicle electrical and wire harness design knowledge with at least 1 year of experience.

• Design release and engineering change process mastery, including understanding what it means to release parts and work with program teams.

• Awareness of CAD tools and release processes used in automotive product development.

• Experience or familiarity with connectors and wiring components used in automotive harnesses.

• Ability to support 3D packaging and design analysis with a basic understanding of harness routing and spatial constraints.

• Experience as a Design Release Engineer (DRE) or in a closely related engineering role.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Warren, MI.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $40.00 - $50.00/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)

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in Warren,MI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 9, 2026.

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.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: 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.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.