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Wire Harness Design Engineer Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Sabanto

Electrical Engineer (Cable Harness)

Ames, IA · On-site

You will own the design, validation, and production release of the vehicle wiring harnesses that ... Bachelors or higher in Electrical Engineering * 5+ years professional experience * Strong ...

Sabanto

Electrical Engineer (Cable Harness)

Ames, IA · On-site

You will own the design, validation, and production release of the vehicle wiring harnesses that ... Bachelors or higher in Electrical Engineering * 5+ years professional experience * Strong ...

New

Sabanto

Electrical Engineer (Cable Harness)

Ames, IA · On-site

You will own the design, validation, and production release of the vehicle wiring harnesses that ... Bachelors or higher in Electrical Engineering * 5+ years professional experience * Strong ...

Precision of New Hampton

CAD Drawer

New Hampton, IA

$60K - $80K/yr

They would work w/ the CNC Programmers and Machinists very closely. This is not a normal CAD role ... Wire Cutting. If you are looking for a career where you get to be involved in many layers of the ...

WesTech Engineering

CAD Designer

Ames, IA · Hybrid

$26.50 - $36.50/hr

Utilizes engineering handbook, design manuals, other sources such as part catalogs to find ... May be in a safety harness * When in fabrication shop, may involve utilizing hands in and around ...

WesTech Engineering

CAD Designer

Ames, IA · On-site

$26.50 - $36.50/hr

Utilizes engineering handbook, design manuals, other sources such as part catalogs to find ... May be in a safety harness * When in fabrication shop, may involve utilizing hands in and around ...

Interstates

Design Manager- Energy

Sioux Center, IA · On-site

$93K - $128K/yr

Coordinates with Engineers, Estimators, Superintendents, CAD Operators, and other trades to communicate project details and resolve issues. * Monitors project performance, communicates deviations and ...

MSI Mold Builders

Design Internship

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

Our customers rely on us to design and build various types of steel and aluminum molds for ... Engineering students will begin color coding wire frame models, gain exposure to the manufacturing ...

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All JobsWire Harness Design Engineer JobsWire Harness Design Engineer Jobs in Iowa

Wire Harness Design Engineer information

See Iowa salary details

$10

$46

$73

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

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for wire harness design engineer in Iowa is $46.93, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $38.37 and $53.75 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a wire harness design engineer?

A wire harness design engineer works to design harnesses to protect electrical wiring and cable in airplanes, cars, and other devices that rely on electrical power. In this career, your duties focus on designing harnesses that allow the electrical distribution system to bring energy safely to the outlet where the mechanisms, product, airplane, or vehicle needs it. Your responsibilities involve using your electrical engineering skills to analyze the electrical needs for the project, calculate current requirements, and incorporate this data into your harness design.

What does a wire harness design engineer do?

A Wire Harness Design Engineer is responsible for designing and developing wire harnesses used to connect electrical and electronic components in vehicles, machinery, or equipment. Their work involves creating detailed wiring diagrams, selecting appropriate materials, ensuring compliance with industry standards, and collaborating with manufacturing teams to optimize production. They also perform testing and troubleshooting to ensure the harnesses meet safety and functional requirements. This role is crucial in industries like automotive, aerospace, and industrial equipment where reliable electrical connections are essential.

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

AspectWire Harness Design EngineerElectrical Engineer
CredentialsTypically requires a degree in electrical or mechanical engineering, certifications like IPC/WHMA-A-620 are commonRequires a degree in electrical engineering; professional licensure (PE) may be preferred
Work EnvironmentDesigning and testing wiring harnesses in manufacturing or automotive settingsDesigning electrical systems, circuit analysis, and testing in various industries
Industry UsageAutomotive, aerospace, industrial equipmentElectronics, power systems, telecommunications

While both roles involve electrical knowledge, the Wire Harness Design Engineer specializes in creating wiring assemblies for specific products, whereas the Electrical Engineer focuses on broader electrical system design and analysis. The roles often overlap in skills and certifications but differ in scope and application.

What are some common challenges a wire harness design engineer faces when coordinating with manufacturing teams?

Wire Harness Design Engineers often encounter challenges related to ensuring that their designs are manufacturable and meet production timelines. Translating complex electrical schematics into practical, assembly-ready harnesses requires close collaboration with manufacturing teams to address issues such as routing constraints, component availability, and assembly ergonomics. Open communication is key to resolving discrepancies between design intent and production feasibility, and engineers frequently participate in design reviews or on-site walkthroughs to ensure smooth implementation. Being proactive in soliciting feedback and making iterative improvements helps minimize costly rework and keeps projects on schedule.

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

To thrive as a Wire Harness Design Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical or mechanical engineering, knowledge of wiring standards, and experience with harness design principles, often backed by a relevant degree. Proficiency with CAD software (such as AutoCAD Electrical or CATIA), harness design tools, and familiarity with industry regulations (like IPC/WHMA-A-620) are commonly required. Strong attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and effective communication are essential soft skills for collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and ensuring design accuracy. These competencies are crucial for delivering safe, reliable, and cost-effective wiring solutions in industries like automotive and aerospace.
More about Wire Harness Design Engineer jobs
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Wire Harness Design Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Wire Harness Design Engineer job openings in Iowa as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $97,622 per year, or $46.9 per hour.

Electrical Engineer (Cable Harness)

Sabanto

Ames, IA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 6 days ago

Job description

Sabanto is a venture-backed, Illinois-Iowa-based technology company on a mission to drive autonomy into agriculture.
We believe the agriculture industry's lack of labor will drive the adoption of Farming-as-a-Service companies using autonomous equipment. It's this very spirit that drives us to build a robotic machinery platform, delivering a service that brings unprecedented efficiency, productivity, and cost to farmers. Join our fast-growing, industrious, and passionate team of innovators as we continue to disrupt the multi-billion-dollar agriculture industry.
You will own the design, validation, and production release of the vehicle wiring harnesses that connect Sabanto's autonomous control system to commercial agricultural equipment. This includes high-current power distribution, CAN and Ethernet communications, RF cable assemblies, environmental sealing, manufacturability, and supplier management.
RESPONSIBILITIES & OUTCOMES
  • Take specifications of Tractors, components and communication protocols and turn them into working designs
  • Component selection: specify the ideal wires, connectors, terminals, protective sleeving based on performance and environmental requirements
  • Complete technical drawings of wiring harnesses including wiring diagrams, 2D bundle drawings, and 3D layout
  • Fuse and circuit protection selection and qualification
  • EMI/EMC consideration and testing
  • Manufacturer selection, qualification, and inventory tracking
  • Own qualification and quality testing: test using diagnostic test equipment such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and digital multimeters
  • Help troubleshoot issues with production usage

QUALIFICATIONS
  • Will to work an on-site position based in Ames, IA.
  • Bachelors or higher in Electrical Engineering
  • 5+ years professional experience
  • Strong quantitative, analytical, and problem-solving skills
  • An entrepreneurial attitude with a keen eye for detail
  • Experience with DFM, FMEA, PPAP, automotive processes
  • Experience with CAN bus, ethernet, RF cable assemblies
  • Organized, disciplined, and can manage multiple priorities simultaneously
  • Industrious and curious - can drive tractors or willing to learn
  • Ag-gnostic and hands-on - willing to walk up to a farmer, talk the talk, walk the walk and understand how their systems are used.

BENEFITS
At Sabanto, every member of our team moves the needle. With a firm footing in our core company values, we've built a fast-paced, demanding work culture that allows for the flexibility, autonomy, and career opportunities you'd expect from a growing company. We offer competitive benefits including:
  • Working on a concept that will forever disrupt the agriculture industry
  • The chance to make an immediate impact and do the best work of your life
  • Vacation and flexible time
  • 401k, medical, dental

OUR CORE VALUES
  • Own It - Be self-driven, entrepreneurial, and efficient
  • Raise the Bar - Challenge complacency and mediocrity; be adaptable and agile; details matter
  • Be As One - Trust, collaborate, and support; invest in co-workers and customers
  • Embrace Curiosity - Always be learning, be curious and share; be humbled but not embarrassed by mistakes
  • Do the Right Thing - Act with integrity, even when no one is looking; be transparent
  • Empower Farmers - Create solutions where customers, i.e. farmers, win

At Sabanto, we value diversity of culture and background for the benefit of our employees, our products, and our community. Sabanto is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. This position is open to applicants who are legally authorized to work in the United States. We are not able to sponsor work visas at this time.

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