Electrical Systems Engineer

ACTalent; Warrendale (Allegheny County); Hybrid; USD 131,000 - 152,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent is seeking an Electrical Systems Engineer in Warrendale, PA, to design, integrate, and support electrical systems for autonomous and unmanned vehicles. The role covers from concept through vehicle integration, including wiring, harnesses, documentation, and hands-on troubleshooting in rugged environments.

You will collaborate with mechanical, robotics, software, and systems engineers to ensure successful integration and field testing across prototype builds.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field.
• Strong experience with electrical systems integration and design.
• Experience integrating equipment into vehicles and autonomous platforms.
• Experience designing sensor systems and wiring.
• Ability to develop schematics and wiring diagrams.
• Experience sourcing components and materials for vehicle builds.
• Hands-on wiring, fabrication, installation, and troubleshooting.
• Understanding of power distribution, grounding, and sensor integration.

Responsibilities

• Design and integrate electrical systems for autonomous vehicles.
• Develop architectures for sensors, computers, controllers, and power distribution.
• Document sensor wiring, harnesses, connectors, and interfaces.
• Create electrical schematics and installation drawings.
• Source components, cabling, sensors and related materials.
• Support physical build, installation and integration on vehicle platforms.
• Route wiring with serviceability and rugged environment in mind.
• Collaborate with mechanical, robotics, software and systems teams.
• Support prototype builds, system bring-up, and testing.
• Troubleshoot issues during integration and testing, implement corrective actions.
• Update drawings and docs based on lessons learned.

Skills

Electrical systems integration

Electrical design

Sensor integration

Schematic & drawings

Component sourcing

Hands-on wiring

Power distribution

R&D independence

Education

Bachelors in EE/CE

Tools

SolidWorks Electrical

AutoCAD Electrical

Zuken

Capital

Job description

Job Title: Electrical Systems Engineer

Job Description

This role focuses on the design, integration, and support of electrical systems for autonomous and unmanned vehicle platforms. You will take electrical and sensor subsystems from concept through physical vehicle integration, including component selection, wiring and harness development, installation, documentation, and troubleshooting. The position is highly hands-on and is ideal for an engineer who has integrated sensors, electrical hardware, power, communications, and other electronic systems onto vehicles, mobile robotics, heavy equipment, or autonomous platforms, particularly in complex off-road environments.

Responsibilities

• Design and integrate electrical systems for autonomous and unmanned vehicle platforms.

• Develop electrical architectures and integration designs for sensors, computers, controllers, communications equipment, power distribution, and supporting vehicle electronics.

• Design and document sensor wiring, cable assemblies, harnesses, connectors, and electrical interfaces to support robust vehicle operation.

• Create and maintain electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, interconnect drawings, installation drawings, and other technical documentation.

• Select and source electrical components, connectors, cabling, sensors, and related materials required for vehicle builds.

• Support the physical build, installation, and integration of electrical systems onto vehicle platforms in a hands-on capacity.

• Route and package wiring and electrical hardware with a focus on serviceability, reliability, and suitability for rugged vehicle environments.

• Collaborate closely with mechanical, robotics, software, and systems engineers to ensure successful integration of electrical hardware into complete systems.

• Support prototype vehicle builds, system bring-up, integration, and testing activities.

• Troubleshoot electrical and electromechanical issues during vehicle integration and field testing, and implement effective corrective actions.

• Update drawings, schematics, and documentation based on lessons learned during prototype builds and testing to improve future designs.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, or a related discipline.

• Strong experience with electrical systems integration and electrical design.

• Experience integrating electrical and electronic equipment into vehicles, autonomous systems, robotics, heavy equipment, military vehicles, mobile machinery, or similar complex systems.

• Experience designing or integrating sensor systems and associated wiring.

• Ability to develop electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, harness documentation, and technical drawings.

• Experience selecting and sourcing electrical components, connectors, cabling, sensors, and materials for vehicle builds.

• Hands‑on ability to support vehicle wiring, fabrication, assembly, installation, and troubleshooting.

• Understanding of electrical power distribution, grounding, connectors, communications interfaces, and sensor integration.

• Ability to work independently in a rapid prototype and research and development engineering environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with autonomous vehicles, unmanned ground vehicles (UGV), robotics, defense systems, automotive, or off‑highway vehicles.

• Experience working with perception and navigation sensors such as LiDAR, radar, cameras, GPS/GNSS, IMUs, encoders, or similar technologies.

• Experience designing vehicle wiring harnesses and cable assemblies.

• Familiarity with vehicle and industrial communication protocols such as CAN, CAN‑FD, Ethernet, and RS‑232/422/485.

• Familiarity with ruggedized connectors and electrical components suitable for harsh environments.

• Experience supporting prototype builds and field testing activities.

• Familiarity with electrical CAD tools such as SolidWorks Electrical, AutoCAD Electrical, Zuken, Capital, or equivalent.

Work Environment

You will work in a dynamic rapid prototype and R&D environment focused on developing autonomous systems for complex off‑road applications. The role involves a mix of office‑based design work using electrical CAD tools and hands‑on work in lab and shop spaces to support vehicle wiring, fabrication, assembly, installation, and testing. You will regularly collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including mechanical, robotics, software, and systems engineers, and you will participate in prototype builds, system bring‑up, and field testing of autonomous and unmanned vehicle platforms in rugged conditions.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Warrendale, PA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $95.00 - $110.00/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)

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Warrendale, PA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 18, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in Warrendale,PA.

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.