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Wire Harness Design Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

You will handle a wide range of engineering tasks, including circuit board development, firmware (FPGA & CPU) development, cable/harness design, and documentation. This will also include board and ...

Aircraft Wiring Systems Lead

Manassas, VA ยท On-site

$130K - $160K/yr

Lead the design of the aircraft's wiring systems, including harness design, routing, shielding ... Bachelor's degree in aerospace, mechanical, or electrical engineering or other related field;

Aircraft Wiring Systems Lead

Manassas, VA ยท On-site

$130K - $160K/yr

What You'll Do Lead the design of the aircraft's wiring systems, including harness design, routing ... Provide technical leadership, mentoring, and guidance to junior engineers.Contribute to process ...

Control Design Engineer I

Lynchburg, VA ยท On-site

$72K - $80K/yr

What You'll Do As a Control Design Engineer, you'll play a pivotal role in designing, drafting, and executing control systems for our world-class products. From interpreting customer specifications ...

Substation Design Engineer

Richmond, VA ยท On-site

$97K - $124K/yr

WSP is currently initiating a search for a substation Design Engineer for our Richmond, VA office. Successful applicants may work from any mutually acceptable remote location within the United States.

Substation Design Engineer

Richmond, VA ยท On-site +1

$97K - $124K/yr

WSP is currently initiating a search for a substation Design Engineer for our Richmond, VA office. Successful applicants may work from any mutually acceptable remote location within the United States.

Design Engineer Staff

Tysons, VA ยท On-site

$90K - $113K/yr

Development of Engineering Installation Design Packages including the creation of Block Diagrams, Riser Diagrams, Mounting and Wiring Details in AutoCAD * Create Project and Device schedules with the ...

Staff Electrical Engineer Location: Herndon, VA - Herndon, VA 20171 US (Primary) Use your ... harness design, and documentation. This will also include board and system-level integration and ...

Showing results 21-40

Wire Harness Design Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$10

$49

$77

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

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for wire harness design engineer in Virginia is $49.54, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $40.53 and $56.73 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.

What are the most commonly searched types of Wire Harness Design Engineer jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Wire Harness Design Engineer jobs in Virginia are:

What job categories do people searching Wire Harness Design Engineer jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Wire Harness Design Engineer jobs in Virginia are:

Infographic showing various Wire Harness Design Engineer job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 88% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $103,043 per year, or $49.5 per hour.

Electrical Engineer

Smart Synergies

Reston, VA โ€ข On-site

Other

Re-posted 18 days ago


Job description

The client is looking for an Electrical Engineer to join their R&D team. By taking on both short and long-term projects, you will use your versatility to bring uncharted laser research to the aerospace industry. You will work within a collaborative environment while empowered to make decisions in your area of expertise. You will handle a wide range of engineering tasks, including circuit board development, firmware (FPGA & CPU) development, cable/harness design, and documentation. This will also include board and system-level integration and testing and troubleshooting. You will work on multiple concurrent projects, with a mix of small, short, quick-turn projects and more extensive, long-term projects.

Job Requirements

  • BSEE with 0-8 years of applicable work experience.
  • Experience with circuit board design, integration, and troubleshooting.
  • Comfortable working hands-on and will participate in field tests and experiments.
  • Experience using electrical lab equipment as part of embedded system development.

Desired Skills

  • MSEE
  • Experience developing hi-rel military and/or space-flight electronics
  • Experience with FPGA/CPLD design, simulation, and troubleshooting.
  • Experience with embedded CPU/Microcontroller firmware development, integration, and troubleshooting.
  • Experience with LIDAR systems