Senior Electrical Design Engineer

Arc; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 215,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare benefits

Parental leave

Generous PTO

Life and disability insurance

401(k) plan

Job summary

Arc is seeking a Senior Electrical Systems Engineer to own the design, build, and integration of electrical systems on our commercial vessels. The role is on-site at our Los Angeles headquarters with a focus on robust hardware-software integration and end-to-end system accountability.

You will lead HV/LV design, define wiring and I/O maps, and collaborate with software teams to ensure seamless functionality. Travel 10–15% may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Systems Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years in electrical systems integration, hardware development, or system-level engineering.
• Strong understanding of HV/LV systems, power distribution, sensors, actuators.
• Experience with CAN/J1939, Modbus, Profinet, EtherCAT.
• Hands-on debugging with multimeters and oscilloscopes.
• Developing system requirements, I/O maps, and architectural documentation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; ability to translate hardware needs for software teams.

Responsibilities

• Own design and integration of high/low voltage electrical systems for commercial vessels.
• Develop and maintain electrical topologies, I/O maps, and wiring definitions.
• Write functional specifications and coordinate with software teams for HW/SW integration.
• Lead hardware trade studies, component selection, and supplier evaluation.
• Hands-on testing, troubleshooting, and debugging in bench, HIL, and field environments.
• Support sea trials to validate systems and ensure feature parity with production vessels.
• Interface with suppliers, shipyards, and operators; travel 10–15% as needed.

Skills

Electrical systems

Hardware development

System engineering

Industrial protocols

Troubleshooting

Documentation

Communication

Ownership mindset

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Electrical Engineering

Related field emphasis

Tools

EPLAN

Zuken

AutoCAD Electrical

Visio

Job description

As Arc’s Senior Electrical Systems Engineer, you will own the design, build, integration and execution of the electrical systems on our commercial vessels.

We’re looking for someone who’s fired up by our mission and ready to build. You’ll thrive here if you adapt quickly, take ownership, and care about the details.

This is a full-time, on-site role at our Los Angeles headquarters. You’ll report to the Manager, Commercial Systems Engineering and work closely with a lean, high-trust team where everyone’s work matters.

What You’ll Do

• Owning the design and integration of high and low voltage electrical systems for commercial marine vessels
• Developing and maintaining electrical topologies, I/O maps, and wiring/harnessing definitions
• Writing clear functional specifications and collaborating closely with the control software team to ensure seamless hardware-software integration
• Leading hardware trade studies, component selection, and evaluating suppliers
• Getting hands-on with testing, troubleshooting, and debugging HV/LV systems in benchtop, HIL, and field environments
• Supporting sea trials to validate systems and ensure feature parity between bench test setups and production vessels
• Interfacing with component suppliers, partner shipyards, and vessel operators, including occasional travel (10-15% of the time)

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Systems Engineering, or a related field
• 5+ years of experience in electrical systems integration, hardware development, or system-level engineering
• Strong understanding of HV/LV electrical systems, power distribution, sensors, and actuators
• Familiarity with automotive or industrial communication protocols (CAN/J1939, Modbus, Profinet, EtherCAT)
• Hands‑on experience debugging HV/LV systems, harnesses, and hardware‑to‑software interfaces using tools like multimeters and oscilloscopes
• Experience developing system requirements, I/O allocation maps, interface definitions, and architectural documentation
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to translate physical hardware requirements into functional specs for software teams
• Ability to take ownership of problems, drive them to closure, and adapt quickly in a dynamic environment

Bonus Qualifications

• Background in industrial automation, automotive EV, marine, robotics, or aerospace electrical architectures
• Knowledge of industrial electrical control panel layouts and design standards
• Experience with Battery Management Systems, either at automotive or BESS scale
• Understanding of ABS, USCG, IEEE, or IEC standards for commercial marine vessels
• Familiarity with functional safety concepts (e.g., hazard analysis, DFMEA, safety goals, fault handling)
• Experience with EMC/EMI design, shielding, and grounding practices in high‑power environments
• Proficiency with electrical schematic and drafting tools (e.g. EPLAN, Zuken, AutoCAD Electrical, or Visio)

At Arc, we encourage diversity and consider all qualified applicants equally for employment, regardless of background, identity, or status. You’re always welcome to reach out even if you don’t meet many of these qualifications. Passion and aptitude make up for a lot.

What we offer

The annual base salary for this role is P2:$150,000 Senior: $185,000 Staff: $215,000

Highly competitive equity grants are included with full time offers. As well as semi‑annual bonuses tied to your impact, not just your tenure.

Additionally, Arc offers top‑tier benefits for full‑time employees, including:

• Healthcare benefits - 99% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision
• Parental leave - 14 weeks fully paid for birthing and non‑birthing parents
• Generous time off - Highly competitive PTO with an opportunity to earn more time with tenure
• Income protection - Life and disability insurance for all employees
• Retirement savings - Traditional and Roth 401(k) access
• Water fund - $500 for you to spend each year to get out on the water, however you choose
• Professional development - $500 annual reimbursement for professional development and a monthly AI stipend
• Safety Support- Annual reimbursement for PPE, ergonomic equipment and anything that ensures we keep our crew safe
• Captain training - Training and access to take Arcboats out with friends and family
• Office perks - Daily lunches, snacks, and good coffee while onsite
• Relocation assistance - Available depending on role eligibility.

Our Values

We move with urgency and build with care. We value these five things above all else:

• Ownership over both your work and the company’s success
• Empathy for colleagues and for customers
• Humility in problem solving and collaboration
• Pragmatism for navigating ambiguity quickly and sensibly
• Inclusion of different backgrounds, opinions, cultures, and perspectives.