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Contract Wire Harness Design Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

CesiumAstro

Wire Harness Design Engineer II

Austin, TX · On-site

We are looking to add a Wire Harness Design Engineer II to our team. If you enjoy working in a ... Work directly with suppliers and contract manufacturers to manage supply chain, build quality and ...

CesiumAstro

Wire Harness Design Engineer II

Westminster, CO · On-site

$113K - $136K/yr

We are looking to add a Wire Harness Design Engineer II to our team. If you enjoy working in a ... Work directly with suppliers and contract manufacturers to manage supply chain, build quality and ...

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Contract Wire Harness Design Engineer information

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$10

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How much do contract wire harness design engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for contract wire harness design engineer in the United States is $49.97, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $40.87 and $57.21 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Contract Wire Harness Design Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Contract Wire Harness Design Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering, experience with wiring schematics, and familiarity with industry standards such as IPC/WHMA-A-620. Proficiency in CAD tools like AutoCAD Electrical, CATIA, or SolidWorks Electrical, along with knowledge of PLM systems, is typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication are important soft skills for collaborating with cross-functional teams and clients. These skills ensure accurate and efficient design, compliance with safety standards, and successful project delivery in a competitive engineering environment.

What are some common challenges that Contract Wire Harness Design Engineers face when working with cross-functional teams?

Contract Wire Harness Design Engineers often collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and manufacturing teams to ensure harness designs meet all requirements and integrate seamlessly into larger systems. A common challenge is aligning design specifications and timelines across different departments, especially when project priorities shift or last-minute changes arise. Effective communication and adaptability are crucial for resolving conflicting requirements and ensuring the final harness design is both manufacturable and compliant with safety standards. Building strong relationships with team members and proactively seeking feedback can help streamline the design process and minimize delays.

What is the difference between Contract Wire Harness Design Engineer vs Electrical Design Engineer?

AspectContract Wire Harness Design EngineerElectrical Design Engineer
CredentialsRelevant engineering certifications, wiring and harness design experienceElectrical engineering degree, certifications may vary
Work EnvironmentContract-based projects, manufacturing or automotive industriesFull-time roles, diverse industries including electronics and power systems
Industry UsageCommonly used in automotive, aerospace, and industrial equipmentUsed across electronics, power systems, and automation sectors

The Contract Wire Harness Design Engineer focuses specifically on designing wiring harnesses for various industries, often on a contractual basis. In contrast, the Electrical Design Engineer has a broader scope, working on overall electrical systems and components. Both roles require electrical knowledge, but the contract engineer specializes in harness design for specific projects, while the electrical engineer may handle system-level design and integration.

What does a Contract Wire Harness Design Engineer do?

A Contract Wire Harness Design Engineer is responsible for designing and developing electrical wire harnesses used in vehicles, machinery, or electronic equipment on a contract or project basis. Their work typically involves creating detailed schematics, selecting appropriate materials, ensuring compliance with industry standards, and collaborating with other engineers to integrate harnesses into larger systems. This role often requires expertise in CAD software, understanding of electrical systems, and the ability to troubleshoot design challenges efficiently. Contract engineers may work for multiple clients or on specific projects, providing flexible engineering solutions when companies need specialized expertise.
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Contract Wire Harness Design Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract Wire Harness Design Engineer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 96% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $103,934 per year, or $50 per hour.
Wire Harness Design Engineer II

Wire Harness Design Engineer II

CesiumAstro

Westminster, CO

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago

Job description

Please Note: To conform with the United States Government Space Technology Export Regulations, the applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., conditional resident, asylee or refugee (protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

At CesiumAstro, we are developers and pioneers of out-of-the-box communication systems for satellites, UAVs, launch vehicles, and other space and airborne platforms. We take pride in our dynamic and cross-functional work environment, which allows us to learn, develop, and engage across our organization. If you are looking for hands-on, interactive, and autonomous work, CesiumAstro is the place for you. We are actively seeking passionate, collaborative, energetic, and forward-thinking individuals to join our team.

We are looking to add a Wire Harness Design Engineer II to our team. If you enjoy working in a startup environment and are passionate about developing leading-edge hardware for satellites, spacecraft, and aerospace systems, we would like to hear from you. 

This role focuses on designing the critical power, digital, analog, and RF interconnects that turn boxes into systems. You will have the opportunity to take full ownership of wire harness designs, including schematic development, cable routing, connector selection, and harness assembly drawings. The environment is highly collaborative, working shoulder-to-shoulder with electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, and harness assembly technicians to develop cutting-edge space and airborne systems.

The role encompasses the full design process, from defining initial specifications through integration and test. You will also participate in design reviews, providing technical expertise and recommendations to enhance the performance and reliability of wire harness systems.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Assist the design and development of high-complexity wire harnesses across space and airborne systems and associated GSE.
  • Adherence to requirements and workmanship standards for harness design
  • Leverage preferred parts listing based on component reliability, availability, and manufacturability
  • Inform the definition of design for EMI / EMC compliance, radiation tolerance and space charging environments
  • Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure harness designs align with system-level requirements for performance, manufacturability, and reliability.
  • Support integration, testing, and troubleshooting of harness systems at the box, subsystem, and platform levels.
  • Proliferate design standards and contribute to process improvements to advance the maturity of the wire harness discipline.
  • Work directly with suppliers and contract manufacturers to manage supply chain, build quality and schedule outcomes
  • Present technical solutions in internal and external design reviews; serve as the subject matter expert for interconnect systems.
JOB REQUIREMENTS AND MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
  • Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering from an accredited university. 
  • 2 years of relevant industry or university research experience.
  • Familiarity in harness design tools such as Capital Essentials or Zuken E3.
  • Basic understanding of electrical/mechanical engineering principles, wire routing, controlled impedance, cable shielding, and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) considerations.
  • Ability to conduct thorough analysis and testing of wire harness designs to ensure compliance with applicable industry standards, safety regulations, and performance requirements.
  • Exposure to industry standards and regulations related to wire harness design, such as IPC-WHMA-A-620 and/or NASA-STD 8739.4A.
  • Awareness of high-reliability components such as D38999, Micro-D, Nano-D connectors and M227569/M27500 series of wire.
  • Detail-oriented approach with a high level of accuracy in design documentation and technical specifications.
  • Excellent written and spoken communication skills. 
PREFERRED EXPERIENCE
  • Experience designing for aerospace environments.
  • Conceptual idea of assembling wire harnesses and necessary tooling.
CesiumAstro considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.  Full-time employment offers include company stock options and a generous benefits package including health, dental, vision, HSA, FSA, life, disability and retirement plans.  
 
CesiumAstro is an Equal Opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Please note: CesiumAstro does not accept unsolicited resumes from contract agencies or search firms. Any unsolicited resumes submitted to our website or to CesiumAstro team members will be considered property of CesiumAstro, and we will not be obligated to pay any referral fees.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.