Entrylevel Electrical Design Engineer Jobs in Tennessee

At Cross Company, we don’t just show up for work—we show up for a company we actually own. As a 100% employee-owned industrial technology leader, we provide specialized expertise in automation, hydraulics, precision measurement, and more that keeps the world’s manufacturers moving.

We operate on the principle of Servant Leadership: we hire smart, driven people and then get out of their way so they can do what they do best. When you join the Cross team, you aren't just an employee; you’re an owner-associate in a stable, transparent, and high-performance environment where your voice truly matters.

JOB SUMMARY

Reports To: Engineering Manager

The Electrical Design position consists of the development of industrial control panel panels proposal and development based on UL standards utilizing AutoCAD Electrical. This position includes the responsibilities of development of complex drawing package(s), mentoring technical development, and performing final checks on drawings prior to submission.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Ability to handle multiple industrial control system hardware design and drafting requests to support our in-house integration methods.

2. Interacts with our customers, project managers, and/or engineers to meet the hardware design requirements of the project or proposal.

3. Ability to mentor and distribute work to a supporting drafter, as well check work for technical accuracy.

4. Interacts with our sales staff to identify solutions, develop base system architecture, and outline Bill Of Material (BOM) to meet electrical design requirements and support proposal development.

5. Ability to interact with customers during project or service calls to support active and post project/service electrical drafting tasks.

6. Ability to work as a functioning team member to support large projects.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Sales:

   • Supports the sales staff by developing Bill Of Materials to support proposals by meeting customer requirements.

   • Occasionally supports the sales staff by acting as the technical consultant for potential projects.

   • Occasionally supports sales staff with on-site walkdowns with minimal travel required.

2. Engineering:

   • Responsible for supporting the electrical/mechanical design and drafting needs

   • Independently work to specify materials/devices to meet the functional design requirements and draft the electrical/mechanical solution using the Cross standard hardware design packages.

3. Administrative:

   • Completes the associated Quality Assurance paperwork requirements to support projects and service calls on a weekly basis

   • Enters time and expenses on a weekly basis into the database by the defined deadlines.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

1. A two year technology/engineering degree or equivalent related experience is required.

2. Must have 3 years of industrial panel design experience.

3. Must be familiar with basic electrical principles and working knowledge of industry standards (National Electrical Code, National Fire Protection Agency, UL 508A and UL698A).

4. Base understanding of control system hardware such as Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) and Distributed Control Systems (DCS).

5. Base knowledge of network connectivity using basic Ethernet and familiarity with industrial protocols and digital bus networks such as: Industrial Ethernet, ProfiNet, Profibus DP & PA, EthernetIP, Modbus TCP, Azi-Bus, IO-Bus, etc.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

Knowledge Required

1. Drafting experience for process control panel applications utilizing AutoCAD Electrical.

2. Ability to understand hardware specifications for the follow manufacturers:

● Siemens

● Rockwell

● Emerson

● Phoenix Contact

● Cisco

● Dell

3. Experience reading and understanding technical specifications and design documents.

4. Fluent mathematical skills and problem solving expertise needed to calculate Short Circuit Current Rating (SCCR) and heat dissipation tables for electrical components. Ability to do system load calculations, branch and feeder sizing, and component sizing.

5. Fluent PC/Computer skills including AutoCAD Electrical, Google Suite, MS Word, Excel, Visio, and PowerPoint.

6. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

7. Demonstrated ability to draft technical solutions tailored to a specific project in a curtailed time frame for budgetary purposes.

1. Customer Focus - Excellent interpersonal skills at all levels of customer contact.

2. Instills Trust - High level of integrity and understanding of business ethics.

3. Communicates Effectively - Excellent listening skills.

4. Action Oriented - Self-motivated; able to work independently with minimal supervision.

5. Plans and Aligns - Good organizational skills.

6. Resourcefulness - Innovative, open-minded, resourceful.

7. Collaborates - Functions cooperatively in a team environment.

8. Nimble Learning - Integrates new information quickly and accurately.

PHYSICAL & MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

1. The work environment varies from a typical office environment to a plant site environment.

2. Travel typically is <10% depending on work assignments, but can vary.

3. Individuals may need to sit or stand as needed. Requires walking primarily on a level surface for varying periods throughout the day in the plant site area. Could involve long periods of Computer work.

4. Able to lift or carry up to 30 lbs.

5. Physical effort required, continuous mental and visual attention required.

6. While working in the office environment will be supporting 5 day a week but may require working more than 40 hours to support the work efforts.

7. The performance of this position can include exposure to the manufacturing areas where certain areas require the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as Safety Glasses with Side Shields and Hearing Protection. Primary environment: ambient room temperatures, lighting and traditional office equipment as found in a typical office environment.

Disclaimer: The job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise; employment in this job is an “at will” employment relationship.