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Harness Design Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Harness Design Engineer The Harness Design Engineer will play a key role in developing next‑generation energy storage systems by owning the design and integration of electrical harnesses across ...

HARNESS DESIGN ENGINEER (STARSHIELD) Starshield leverages SpaceX's satellite technology and launch capability to support national security efforts. While Starlink is designed for consumer and ...

You will be the Responsible Engineer for harness system design and components such as connectors, wire and cable, instrumentation, and heaters. You will help establish production test requirements ...

New

Harness Design Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

You will be the Responsible Engineer for harness system design and components such as connectors, wire and cable, instrumentation, and heaters. You will help establish production test requirements ...

Harness Design Engineer Location: Sunnyvale, CA Duration: Long Term Client : Applied Intuition - * We are seeking a contractor to lead the design, build, validation, and scale of spider harnesses ...

Senior Harness Design Engineer

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$109K - $147K/yr

Vast is looking for a Harness Design Engineer, reporting to the Senior Manager, Harness Design to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and manufacturing of ...

Vast is looking for a Harness Design Engineer, reporting to the Senior Manager, Harness Design to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and manufacturing of ...

Wire Harness Design Engineer

Torrance, CA · On-site

$90K - $110K/yr

Partner with motor control, firmware, and mechanical engineering teams to ensure harness design integrates cleanly with the broader system. * Drive design for manufacturability, cost, and reliability ...

Wire Harness Design Engineer

Torrance, CA · On-site

$90K - $110K/yr

Partner with motor control, firmware, and mechanical engineering teams to ensure harness design integrates cleanly with the broader system. * Drive design for manufacturability, cost, and reliability ...

Senior Harness Design Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$126K - $164K/yr

Senior Harness Design Engineer As a Senior Harness Design Engineer at Astranis, you will own the design of the wire harnesses that keep our spacecraft alive on orbit, translating electrical ...

Senior Harness Design Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$126K - $164K/yr

Senior Harness Design Engineer As a Senior Harness Design Engineer at Astranis, you will own the design of the wire harnesses that keep our spacecraft alive on orbit, translating electrical ...

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Harness Design Engineer information

See California salary details

$10

$49

$77

How much do harness design engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for harness design engineer in California is $49.31, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $40.34 and $56.44 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a harness design engineer?

A Harness Design Engineer is a professional who designs and develops wiring harnesses used in vehicles, aircraft, machinery, or electronic systems. They are responsible for creating detailed schematics and layouts that specify how electrical wires, connectors, and terminals are routed and connected. Their work ensures that electrical systems function reliably and safely, meeting industry standards and client requirements. They often collaborate with other engineers, use specialized CAD software, and consider factors like space constraints, durability, and ease of installation.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a harness design engineer?

To thrive as a Harness Design Engineer, you need a solid understanding of electrical engineering principles, cable management, and wiring schematics, typically supported by a degree in electrical or mechanical engineering. Proficiency with CAD software (such as CATIA, AutoCAD, or SolidWorks), wiring harness design tools, and familiarity with industry standards (like IPC/WHMA-A-620) are essential. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication help you collaborate with cross-functional teams and ensure design accuracy. These competencies are crucial for developing reliable, safe, and cost-effective wiring solutions in automotive, aerospace, or industrial applications.

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

AspectHarness Design EngineerElectrical Engineer
Primary FocusDesigning and developing wiring harnesses and cable assemblies for various systemsDesigning electrical systems, circuits, and components for a wide range of applications
Work EnvironmentAutomotive, aerospace, industrial equipment manufacturingElectronics, power systems, consumer electronics, industrial machinery
Required CredentialsTypically an engineering degree in electrical or mechanical engineering; certifications in wiring or harness design are a plusBachelor's or higher in electrical engineering; professional engineer (PE) license may be beneficial

While both roles involve electrical knowledge, a Harness Design Engineer specializes in creating wiring harnesses and cable assemblies, often within automotive or aerospace industries. An Electrical Engineer has a broader scope, focusing on electrical systems and circuit design across various sectors. The roles overlap in technical skills and education but differ in their specific applications and work environments.

What are some common challenges faced by harness design engineers during the product development cycle?

Harness Design Engineers often encounter challenges such as integrating complex wiring systems into compact spaces, ensuring compatibility with evolving electronic components, and meeting strict regulatory and safety standards. They must also coordinate closely with manufacturing and testing teams to address issues like routing feasibility and electromagnetic interference. Effective communication and proactive problem-solving are essential, as design changes can arise late in the development process, requiring quick adaptation without compromising quality or timelines.
Infographic showing various Harness Design Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 73% Full Time, and 27% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $102,573 per year, or $49.3 per hour.

Harness Design Engineer

Actalent

Berkeley, CA

$90 - $97/hr

Contractor

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 9 days ago


Job description

Job Title: Harness Design EngineerJob Description

The Harness Design Engineer will play a key role in developing next‑generation energy storage systems by owning the design and integration of electrical harnesses across complex electro‑mechanical assemblies. This position is ideal for an experienced engineer who excels in 3D CAD routing, collaborates effectively with cross‑functional teams, and proactively drives design decisions in a fast‑paced, highly collaborative environment.

Responsibilities
  • Create 3D harness routing models using CAD tools, with a primary focus on the SolidWorks Harness Routing Module.
  • Develop 2D harness layout drawings using appropriate electrical design and drafting tools.
  • Design mounting strategies, routing paths, and interface points throughout the energy storage system to ensure robust integration and serviceability.
  • Create simple mechanical parts such as brackets, clamps, strain‑relief features, and other installation hardware required for harness implementation.
  • Generate and maintain detailed documentation, including connector and terminal specifications, harness drawings and schematics, bills of materials (BOM), installation drawings, and cable and harness construction details.
  • Maintain and update component libraries for harness and electrical design as needed, ensuring accuracy and consistency across projects.
  • Collaborate closely with mechanical, electrical, test, and systems engineering teams to ensure harness designs integrate seamlessly across the full battery pack system.
  • Drive and participate in design reviews, clearly presenting harness concepts, resolving interface challenges, and incorporating feedback from cross‑functional stakeholders.
  • Identify design gaps and integration risks early, proactively engaging relevant team members to align on solutions and drive design progression.
  • Take end‑to‑end ownership of harness routing and mechanical integration tasks with minimal oversight, ensuring designs meet performance, reliability, and manufacturability requirements.
  • Communicate design intent and changes effectively through clear verbal updates, written documentation, and visual design artifacts.
Essential Skills
  • At least 6+ years of hands‑on harness design experience in electro‑mechanical systems.
  • Strong proficiency in SolidWorks, particularly the Harness Routing Module for 3D routing and harness modeling.
  • Deep understanding of mechanical integration principles, including packaging, routing constraints, and interface management in complex assemblies.
  • Proven experience designing brackets, routing supports, clamps, and other simple mechanical components that support harness installation.
  • Ability to develop and interpret electrical schematics and harness drawings for system‑level integration.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present designs clearly to engineering stakeholders and cross‑functional partners.
  • Autonomous and proactive working style, capable of driving work forward independently and taking ownership of deliverables.
  • Strong electrical‑focused harness engineering expertise across electro‑mechanical systems.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
  • Experience with PCBA design and system‑level electrical schematics.
  • Background in PCB layout and electrical design for complex systems.
  • Familiarity with maintaining and updating component libraries for harness and electrical design.
  • Experience working closely with electrical engineers on harness design for PCBA and system‑level integration.
  • Comfort working in a fast‑paced, high‑growth environment such as a rapidly scaling startup.
  • Ability to collaborate effectively across mechanical, electrical, test, and systems engineering disciplines.
Work Environment

This role is based in a highly collaborative engineering environment with multiple stakeholders across disciplines, focused on developing advanced energy storage systems. Full‑time onsite work at a Bay Area location is ideal, with onsite presence strongly preferred to support close collaboration and hands‑on integration work. Flexible arrangements, including hybrid or remote options, may be considered for strong candidates, with the expectation of periodic onsite visits for design reviews, integration activities, and team collaboration. The work involves extensive use of SolidWorks and other CAD and electrical design tools, as well as regular interaction with mechanical, electrical, test, and systems engineering teams in a fast‑paced, startup‑like culture.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Berkeley, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $90.00 - $97.00/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 fully onsite position in Berkeley,CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 21, 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.


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About Actalent

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Actalent connects passion with purpose. Our scalable talent solutions and services capabilities drive value and results and provide the expertise to help our customers achieve more. Every day, our experts around the globe are making an impact. We're supporting critical initiatives in engineering and sciences that advance how companies serve the world. Actalent promotes consultant care and engagement through experiences that enable continuous development. Our people are the difference. Actalent is an operating company of Allegis Group, the global leader in talent solutions.

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Hanover, MD, US

Year founded

1983

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