Job Title: Principal Electrical Systems EngineerJob Description
The Principal Electrical Systems Engineer serves as the technical authority for electrical system architecture, cable and harness design, wiring schematics, and subsystem electrical integration across complex defense platforms. This role leads electrical design activities from initial concept development through system integration, test, and deployment, ensuring robust, reliable, and maintainable solutions. The engineer collaborates closely with multidisciplinary teams in systems, hardware, software, integration and test, cybersecurity, and program management to deliver high-performance electrical systems for demanding applications such as military vehicles, aviation, unmanned systems, robotics, and autonomous platforms.
Responsibilities
Serve as the primary technical authority for electrical system architecture, cable and harness design, and subsystem electrical integration on complex defense platforms.
Lead electrical design efforts from concept through detailed design, integration, test, and deployment, ensuring designs meet performance, reliability, safety, manufacturability, and maintainability requirements.
Design and document complete electrical cabling systems, including cable assemblies, wiring harnesses, routing, signals, connections, and terminations.
Create, review, and maintain electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and related documentation using electrical CAD and schematic capture tools.
Redesign existing electrical systems and develop new cable solutions to improve performance, resolve issues, and support evolving system requirements.
Support integration engineers during cable build activities, providing clear documentation, guidance, and technical oversight.
Analyze data packages and design information, identify gaps or inconsistencies, and develop corrective actions or design updates to close those gaps.
Apply strong knowledge of power distribution, signal integrity, grounding and bonding, and EMI/EMC considerations to ensure robust and compliant designs.
Incorporate appropriate connector and cable selections to meet environmental, performance, and standards requirements.
Support hardware integration, troubleshooting, and defect resolution activities across multiple platforms and programs.
Coordinate and communicate with subcontractors to convey design requirements, review deliverables, and ensure alignment with system-level objectives.
Implement cable changes and updates, ensuring accurate documentation and effective communication to all affected stakeholders.
Ensure designs consider and support system safety and airworthiness requirements where applicable.
Lead electrical design efforts across multiple programs, providing technical direction, mentoring, and guidance to other engineers.
Collaborate closely with Systems Engineering, Hardware Engineering, Software Engineering, Integration & Test, Cyber Security, and Program teams to ensure cohesive and integrated system designs.
Essential Skills
Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
10+ years of electrical engineering experience.
5+ years of cable design experience, including cable assemblies and wiring harnesses.
Proven experience developing electrical architectures for complex systems.
Hands-on experience designing cable assemblies and wiring harnesses for demanding applications such as military, aerospace, aviation, robotics, or autonomous systems.
Demonstrated ability to create and update electrical schematics and wiring diagrams.
Proficiency with electrical CAD and schematic capture tools.
Strong understanding of power distribution in complex electrical systems.
Strong understanding of signal integrity and its impact on system performance.
Strong understanding of grounding and bonding practices for high-reliability systems.
Strong understanding of EMI/EMC considerations and shielding techniques.
Experience with connector and cable selection for rugged, high-performance environments.
Experience supporting hardware integration and troubleshooting activities.
Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.
Strong communication skills to effectively interact with cross-functional teams and subcontractors.
Ability to independently redesign existing electrical systems and develop new cable solutions.
Experience with aircraft cable design and cable termination.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Active Secret or Top Secret security clearance.
Experience supporting Department of Defense (DoD) programs.
Previous experience in unmanned systems or aviation environments.
Experience with military vehicles, aviation platforms, unmanned aerial systems (UAS), robotics, or autonomous systems.
Experience with Altium Designer for PCB and electrical design.
Experience with E3 or comparable electrical design tools.
Experience with AutoCAD Electrical for schematic and panel design.
Experience with SolidWorks Electrical for 3D and 2D electrical design.
Experience with Mentor Graphics Capital for harness and electrical system design.
Experience with Creo Cabling for routing and harness design.
Familiarity with MIL-STD-461 for EMI/EMC requirements.
Familiarity with MIL-STD-810 for environmental engineering considerations.
Familiarity with MIL-STD-464 for electromagnetic environmental effects requirements.
Familiarity with MIL-STD-1275 for vehicle electrical power characteristics.
Familiarity with IPC/WHMA-A-620 for cable and wire harness assemblies.
Experience supporting system safety and airworthiness activities.
Experience leading electrical design efforts across multiple programs and teams.
Work Environment
This role is primarily onsite in Huntsville in an office-based engineering environment. The position follows a hybrid schedule, with three days in the office and two days remote each week, allowing flexibility in choosing remote days within established guidelines. Core working hours are 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with flexibility around these hours to support project needs and collaboration with cross-functional teams. The environment is highly collaborative, with close interaction among systems, hardware, software, integration and test, cybersecurity, and program personnel, and involves regular use of advanced electrical CAD and schematic capture tools for design and documentation.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Huntsville, AL.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $64.00 - $91.00/hr.
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 Huntsville,AL.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Aug 17, 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 actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com 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.
