Electrical Design Engineer — Material Handling Control Systems
Location: Wall Township, NJ (On-Site / Hybrid)
Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt
Department: Engineering
Reports To: Engineering Manager / Director of Engineering
Compensation: $90,000 – $130,000 annually, commensurate with experience
About the Role
We are seeking a detail-oriented Electrical Design Engineer to join our engineering team specializing in control systems for material handling and conveyor applications. In this role, you will own the complete electrical design scope for control system projects — from initial concept and schematic development through panel design, component selection, and deliverable documentation. You will collaborate closely with project managers, mechanical engineers, panel fabricators, and purchasing to produce accurate, code-compliant design packages that drive successful project execution.
This is an office-based design role. The ideal candidate has a strong command of AutoCAD Electrical, a deep understanding of industrial control system design, and a commitment to producing thorough, self-verified work.
Key Responsibilities
Electrical Schematic Design
- Develop complete electrical design packages including power distribution one-line diagrams, motor control schematics, I/O wiring diagrams, control panel layouts, and field device wiring details using AutoCAD Electrical
- Design control panel layouts and enclosure configurations in compliance with UL 508A, NEC (NFPA 70), and NFPA 79
- Produce accurate, thoroughly self-verified schematics and panel drawings for use by fabricators and field installation teams
- Create and maintain drawing numbering, revision control, and project drawing registers
Component Selection & BOM Development
- Size and select electrical components including PLCs, VFDs, motor starters, safety relays, circuit protection devices, photoelectric sensors, proximity switches, and other field devices
- Develop detailed Bills of Materials (BOMs) for control panels and field instrumentation
- Coordinate with purchasing on component procurement, substitutions, and lead time constraints
- Evaluate vendor submittals and approve alternate components against design specifications
Control Panel Design
- Develop complete panel layouts including din rail arrangements, wire duct routing, terminal block assignments, and enclosure sizing
- Produce UL 508A-compliant panel design packages suitable for third-party fabrication
- Define cable and conduit schedules, field device junction box layouts, and interconnect wiring drawings
Network & Architecture Design
- Design industrial network architectures including EtherNet/IP topologies, DLR ring configurations, and managed switch layouts
- Produce network topology diagrams and device addressing documentation
Project Support & Documentation
- Serve as the electrical design lead on assigned projects, coordinating with project managers and mechanical engineering throughout the design lifecycle
- Participate in design reviews, drawing kickoffs, and internal engineering review meetings
- Support panel fabricators and field installation teams by responding to RFIs and issuing drawing clarifications
- Develop and maintain as-built drawing packages upon project completion
- Create Description of Operation (DOO) documents that clearly describe system behavior for use by programmers and commissioning personnel
- Issue drawing revisions, engineering change orders, and design deviations as required
Standards & Continuous Improvement
- Maintain and contribute to internal electrical design standards, schematic templates, title block standards, and component libraries within AutoCAD Electrical
- Identify opportunities to improve design efficiency, reduce material cost, and improve drawing quality
- Stay current with applicable codes and standards (NEC, NFPA 79, UL 508A, OSHA)
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology (BSEET), or closely related field; equivalent professional experience considered
- 3–7 years of experience in electrical design for industrial automation or material handling control systems
- Expert-level proficiency in AutoCAD Electrical — schematic design, panel layouts, BOM generation, and project file management
- Solid understanding of low-voltage power distribution, motor control circuits, and field device wiring
- Working knowledge of industrial control panel construction standards (UL 508A) and electrical codes (NEC / NFPA 70)
- Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings and existing electrical schematics
- Strong attention to detail with a disciplined approach to drawing accuracy and self-verification
- Ability to manage multiple active drawing packages simultaneously under project schedule pressure
- Effective written and verbal communication with internal teams, fabricators, and customers
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience designing controls for conveyor systems, sortation equipment, palletizers, or distribution center automation
- Background in the parcel handling industry including parcel sortation, crossbelt sorters, tilt tray systems, or last-mile distribution conveyor systems
- Familiarity with Allen-Bradley / Rockwell Automation PLC hardware (ControlLogix, CompactLogix) — component selection and I/O configuration for design purposes
- Experience with Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) selection and wiring design
- Knowledge of safety system design — safety relay wiring, light curtain integration, e-stop circuit design per NFPA 79 and ISO 13849
- Familiarity with EtherNet/IP DLR ring topology and Stratix managed switch hardware
- Experience producing UL 508A panel design packages for third-party fabrication shops
- Experience with Autodesk Vault for drawing and document management, revision control, and project file lifecycle management
- PE license or active pursuit of licensure is a plus
Work Environment & Physical Requirements
- Primarily office-based design role
- Occasional visits to panel fabrication facilities or customer sites for design verification (minimal travel)
- Must be able to sit for extended periods during design work
- Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs
What We Offer
- Competitive salary commensurate with experience
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) with company match
- Paid time off and company holidays
- Professional development and training support
- Collaborative engineering team with a strong project delivery track record
We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or veteran status.
