Associate Aerospace Engineer Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Electrical Drafter

Job Description

The Electrical Designer develops and maintains detailed electrical design documentation that supports advanced unmanned platforms, including Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs). This role translates complex engineering concepts into accurate electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, harness layouts, and manufacturing documentation used for system integration and production. The position works closely with electrical, aerospace, and mechanical engineers to ensure that electrical systems are thoroughly documented, manufacturable, and scalable for production, while also supporting avionics integration, power distribution, sensor systems, and communications architectures across multiple unmanned systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain detailed electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, harness drawings, and system layouts for UAV and USV platforms.
• Translate engineering sketches, concepts, and system architectures into complete and accurate electrical documentation packages.
• Create and manage electrical harness documentation, including connector definitions, pin assignments, cable routing, and labeling.
• Generate and maintain Bills of Materials (BOMs), cut lists, wire lists, and net lists to support internal manufacturing and procurement teams.
• Review engineering drawings and documentation to ensure compliance with internal standards and engineering specifications.
• Collaborate closely with electrical, mechanical, and aerospace engineers to ensure proper system integration and documentation accuracy.
• Identify and resolve manufacturability and installation challenges during both design and production phases.
• Update and revise electrical documentation to incorporate design changes, testing feedback, and system improvements.
• Support prototype builds, system integration activities, and troubleshooting efforts by providing and maintaining accurate electrical documentation.
• Establish and maintain drafting standards, drawing templates, and documentation best practices to ensure consistency and quality across projects.
• Produce manufacturable drawings for wiring harnesses and printed circuit boards (PCBs) based on engineering specifications.
• Utilize product lifecycle management tools, such as Teamcenter, to manage and control electrical documentation and configurations.

Essential Skills

• 5+ years of experience creating electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and harness documentation in a manufacturing or engineering environment.
• Advanced electrical drafting and documentation skills with a focus on complex systems.
• Experience developing complex wiring harness and avionics documentation.
• Proficiency with ECAD tools such as Solid Edge Wiring and Harness Design, Siemens/Mentor Graphics VeSys/Capital, or similar systems.
• Strong working knowledge of electrical circuitry and the ability to interpret schematic diagrams.
• Ability to manage large electrical documentation packages across multiple systems and configurations.
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to documentation accuracy.
• Excellent organizational and configuration management skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional engineering and manufacturing teams.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and common engineering documentation tools.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects in a fast-paced development environment.
• Hands-on experience with electrical drafting, CAD, and schematic development.
• Ability to produce manufacturable drawings for wiring harnesses and PCBs based on engineering specifications.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Associate degree in Electronics, Electrical Technology, Drafting, or a related field, or equivalent industry experience.
• Experience supporting aerospace, robotics, defense, automotive, or other complex electromechanical systems.
• Familiarity with avionics integration, power distribution, sensor systems, and communications architectures in unmanned systems.
• Experience using Teamcenter or similar product lifecycle management tools for documentation control.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain drafting standards and documentation best practices.
• Comfort working in an agile engineering environment that emphasizes technical ownership and creative problem-solving.

Work Environment

The role operates in a well-funded, agile engineering environment that values engineering judgment and technical ownership over bureaucracy. Engineers work on mission-critical, nationally significant programs and are trusted with real responsibility and creative freedom, operating without constant external oversight. Teams have direct access to advanced tools and technologies, including in-house 3D printing, and can quickly secure the resources they need without lengthy supply-chain delays. The work is meaningful and highly visible, allowing engineers to move quickly, innovate, and see the real impact of their contributions. The position offers flexible work hours and a 9/80 work schedule, providing an additional day off every other week. The local team includes a small, collaborative group of mechanical and electrical professionals, fostering close coordination and a supportive, high-performance engineering culture.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Rockville, MD.

The pay range for this position is $35.00 - $54.00/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)

This is a hybrid position in Rockville,MD.

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 24, 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.