Electrical Design Engineer

CEL Critical Power; Williamsburg (VA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

CEL Critical Power in Williamsburg, VA designs LV switchgear and power distribution systems for global clients. The Electrical Design Engineer will create detailed schematics and GA drawings, select components, perform fault level and cable sizing calculations, and ensure UL/IEC compliance across projects.

You will collaborate with Mechanical Design, Production and Project Management while maintaining rigorous documentation, BOMs and FAT support, working in a fast-paced manufacturing

Qualifications

• An electrical engineer with hands-on experience in LV switchgear design and schematic development—ideally within the switchgear, power distribution or electrical panel manufacturing sector.
• Strong working knowledge of UL standards, NEC and 3 phase power requirements.
• A methodical, detail-oriented engineer comfortable managing multiple design tasks across concurrent projects in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• 5+ years of relevant experience in electrical design within the switchgear or power distribution industry—required
• Proficiency in EPLAN (strongly preferred) or equivalent electrical CAD software
• Demonstrated ability to create detailed electrical schematics from client specifications
• Experience producing and reviewing General Arrangement drawings
• Strong technical interpretation skills for specifications and tender documents
• Good understanding of electrical component selection, sizing and integration across LV switchgear product families
• Familiarity with Switchgear, switchboards, RPPs and custom LV assemblies
• Familiar with IEC Standards
• Design and safety standards: OSHA, NFPA 70E, ANSI, IEEE, and NEMA

Responsibilities

• Design low voltage switchgear assemblies in accordance with applicable regional standards.
• Develop complete electrical schematic drawings using EPLAN or equivalent software.
• Prepare General Arrangement (GA) drawings in close coordination with the Mechanical Design team.
• Select and size electrical components—ACBs, MCCBs, contactors, relays and busbar systems—per project specs.
• Perform basic electrical calculations including fault level, load, cable sizing and thermal considerations.
• Ensure proper coordination and discrimination of protective devices across all designs.
• Incorporate control logic, interlocking schemes and communication interfaces as required.
• Generate and maintain accurate Bills of Materials (BOMs) for all electrical designs.

Skills

EPLAN

Low voltage design

Electrical schematics

Project multitasking

Education

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering

Tools

EPLAN (or equivalent)

Job description

About CEL Critical Power

CEL Critical Power is a global provider of mission-critical power solutions operating at the center of the AI, hyperscale data center and critical infrastructure ecosystem. An Irish-based manufacturer, distributor and exporter of electrical switchgear, controls and related products with over 40 years of experience, CEL is now firmly focused on supplying the global data center industry at scale. Operating from our state-of-the-art 500,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility in Williamsburg VA, we aim to double in size each year for the next three years. CEL is led by a hard-working team who value collaboration, continuous improvement, excellence in quality and commercial curiosity. Through this role, you will ensure CEL continues to enhance its reputation for building the highest-quality switchgear with support systems that exceed customer expectations.

The Electrical Design Engineer is accountable for the design, documentation and compliance of electrical systems across CEL's LV switchgear product range, including:

Scope of Accountability

• Electrical schematic design for LV switchboard assemblies in accordance with UL standards (including UL891, UL62368-1, UL508A, UL1008S, UL1008, UL67)
• General Arrangement drawing preparation in coordination with Mechanical Design
• Component selection and sizing — ACBs, MCCBs, contactors, relays, protection devices and busbar systems
• Electrical calculations — fault level, load, cable sizing, busbar rating and thermal analysis
• BOM generation and maintenance for all electrical designs
• FAT procedure support and technical documentation preparation
• Control logic, interlocking and communication interface design where required
• Compliance verification against UL standards, NFPA, client specifications and internal quality procedures
• Structured project documentation management
• Familiar with IEC Standards

Electrical Design & Schematics

• Review and interpret client specifications, one-line diagrams and project requirements, translating them into compliant, detailed electrical designs
• Design low voltage switchgear assemblies in accordance with applicable regional standards
• Develop complete electrical schematic drawings using EPLAN or equivalent software, to the required accuracy and documentation standard
• Prepare General Arrangement (GA) drawings in close coordination with the Mechanical Design team
• Select and size electrical components — ACBs, MCCBs, contactors, relays, protection devices and busbar systems — appropriate to the project specification
• Perform basic electrical calculations including fault level analysis, load calculations, cable sizing, busbar rating and thermal considerations
• Ensure proper coordination and discrimination of protective devices across all designs
• Incorporate control logic, interlocking schemes and communication interfaces (Modbus, Profinet, and equivalents) where project requirements demand

Documentation & BOM Management

• Generate and maintain accurate Bills of Materials (BOMs) for all electrical designs
• Support FAT procedures and prepare associated technical documentation to the required standard
• Maintain structured, organized project documentation throughout the design and delivery lifecycle
• Ensure all designs are compliant with IEC standards, client specifications and CEL's internal quality procedures, and that compliance is documented appropriately

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Supplier Liaison

• Provide technical support to Production during panel assembly and wiring — resolving queries promptly and accurately
• Liaise with suppliers for technical clarifications, component selection and confirmation of design feasibility
• Collaborate actively with Mechanical Design, Project Management and Production to ensure designs are aligned with all functional, assembly, and project requirements

Requirements

Background

• An electrical engineer with hands‑on experience in LV switchgear design and schematic development — ideally within the switchgear, power distribution or electrical panel manufacturing sector
• Strong working knowledge of UL standards, NEC and 3 phase power requirements
• A methodical, detail‑oriented engineer comfortable managing multiple design tasks across concurrent projects in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment

Required Experience

• 5+ years of relevant experience in electrical design within the switchgear or power distribution industry — required
• Proficiency in EPLAN (strongly preferred) or equivalent electrical CAD software
• Demonstrated ability to create detailed electrical schematics from client specifications
• Experience producing and reviewing General Arrangement drawings
• Strong technical interpretation skills for specifications and tender documents
• Good understanding of electrical component selection, sizing and integration across LV switchgear product families
• Familiarity with Switchgear, switchboards, RPPs and custom LV assemblies
• Familiar with IEC Standards
• Design and safety standards: OSHA, NFPA 70E, ANSI, IEEE, and NEMA

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or equivalent— required
• Additional training in power systems or switchgear design is advantageous
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools including Excel and Word

Skills & Competencies

• Proficiency in EPLAN or equivalent electrical CAD platform
• Design low voltage switchgear and power distribution assemblies in accordance with applicable UL standards including UL891, UL62368-1, UL508A, UL1008S, UL1008, UL67
• Understanding of electrical protection principles and power distribution systems
• Ability to create detailed electrical schematics from specifications
• Strong technical interpretation — reads and analyses specifications and tender documents accurately
• Excellent attention to detail and a structured, methodical engineering approach
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet tight deadlines

  Benefits

  Why Join CEL Critical Power?

  CEL has been delivering high-quality, bespoke power distribution solutions for over four decades, with products that stand the test of time.

  Join a Trusted Industry Leader - 42 Years of Excellence

  CEL has been delivering high-quality, bespoke power distribution solutions for over four decades, with products that stand the test of time.

  Be Part of a Global Expansion

  With CEL launching its first US manufacturing plant, you will have the opportunity to work on international projects and documentation standards while collaborating with colleagues across North America.

  Collaborate with World-Class Engineers, Vendors & Industry Experts

  You'll work alongside leading engineers, project managers, document controllers, product managers, and global vendors, ensuring excellence and operational success across CEL's international teams.

  Shape the Future of CEL - Critical Power

  This is more than just an operator role—it's an opportunity to help forge the future of CEL and our expansion across the US.

  Competitive Salary, Benefits & Career Growth

  We offer structured career development, professional training, and leadership opportunities, ensuring long-term career progression.

  Equal Opportunity Employer

  CEL Critical Power is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive and high-performing workplace. We strongly believe that seeking out and hiring the most diverse talent and creating an inclusive workplace is the way to create an exceptional and innovative environment for our employees, which will deliver excellence in service to our customers. We encourage applications from people with diverse backgrounds and experience to join this multicultural, hard‑working team. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.