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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 ...

We're looking for a dynamic Controls Design Engineer who thrives on solving complex challenges and bringing innovative ideas to life. In this role, you'll design and develop advanced control and ...

Substation Design Engineer

Richmond, VA · 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 · 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.

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 Sep 6, 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 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 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 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 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:

Infographic showing various Wire Harness Design Engineer job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $103,043 per year, or $49.5 per hour.

Wire Design and Installation Engineer (Experienced or Senior)

Boeing

Herndon, VA • On-site

$106K - $144K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 24 days ago


Boeing rating

8.5

Company rating: 8.5 out of 10

Based on 617 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

33rd of 545 rated manufacturers


Job description

Wire Design and Installation Engineer (Experienced or Senior)

Company:

The Boeing Company

Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS) / Intelligence Systems (IS) seeks a Wire Design and Installation Engineer (Mid-Level or Senior) for our team based in Herndon, VA to develop and maintain detailed electrical wiring and installation designs supporting complex audiovisual and communication systems integration.

Position Responsibilities:

  • Design equipment racks, power panels, and cable routing.
  • Ensure proper electrical installation to support system functionality and mission success.
  • Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including hardware, software, and test engineers to ensure seamless integration and operational readiness.
  • Develop and maintain detailed wire design, electrical product detail, assembly, and installation designs (e.g., equipment racks, power panels, cable routing) for audiovisual and communication systems.
  • Support system design, system integration, and system verification activities across multiple platforms and subsystems.
  • Provide engineering design disposition on discrepancies and support design reviews.
  • Assist in the development of statements of work (SOW) and technical review of supplier capabilities for source selection.
  • Perform system-level troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and issue resolution related to wiring and electrical installation.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to resolve integration challenges and ensure compliance with electrical and installation standards.
  • Participate in design reviews, test planning, and execution to validate system performance and installation quality.
  • Maintain system documentation, interface control documents, and integration plans related to wiring and installation.
  • Support compliance with security, configuration management, and change control processes.
  • Provide technical support and training to internal teams and government customers as needed
  • Attend engineering and program meetings to coordinate integration efforts and report status.

This position requires an active TS/SCI U.S. Security Clearance with current Full Scope Polygraph (FSP), for which the U.S. Government requires U.S. Citizenship. (A U.S. Security Clearance that has been active in the past 24 months is considered active.)

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills/Experience)

  • Years of related experience: 3+ for level 3, 5+ for level 4.
  • Experience with the setup and support of large-scale Audio/Visual systems.
  • Experience in the area of Electrical Wire Design and Equipment Installation.
  • Ability to travel to various job sites as needed; valid driver's license required.
  • Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering (with a focus in Electrical, Mechanical or Aeronautical), Computer Science, Data Science, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry or non-US equivalent qualifications directly related to the work statement.

Preferred Qualifications (Desired Skills/Experience)

  • Experience with government or defense systems integration projects involving electrical wiring and installation.
  • Experience with system integration tools, documentation platforms (e.g., Jira, Confluence), and test equipment.
  • Strong knowledge of electrical wiring design, cable routing, cabling, and installation best practices.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
  • Familiarity with systems engineering principles and integration best practices.
  • Knowledge of security and compliance requirements in classified environments.
  • Relevant certifications in electrical design, installation, or systems engineering disciplines.

Typical Education & Experience:

Level 3: Education/experience typically acquired through advanced technical education from an accredited course of study in engineering, engineering technology (includes manufacturing engineering technology), computer science, engineering data science, mathematics, physics or chemistry (e.g. Bachelor) and typically 5 or more years' related work experience or an equivalent combination of technical education and experience or non-US equivalent qualifications. In the USA, ABET accreditation is the preferred, although not required, accreditation standard.

Level 4: Education/experience typically acquired through advanced technical education from an accredited course of study in engineering, engineering technology (includes manufacturing engineering technology), computer science, engineering data science, mathematics, physics or chemistry (e.g. Bachelor) and typically 9 or more years' related work experience or an equivalent combination of technical education and experience or non-US equivalent qualifications. In the USA, ABET accreditation is the preferred, although not required, accreditation standard.

Shift:

Ability and willingness to work occasional compensated ad hoc support outside of typical business hours.

Relocation:

This position offers relocation based on candidate eligibility.

Drug Free Workplace:

Boeing is a Drug Free Workplace (DFW) where post offer applicants and employees are subject to testing for marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, PCP, and alcohol when criteria is met as outlined in our policies.

Pay & Benefits:

At Boeing, we strive to deliver a Total Rewards package that will attract, engage and retain the top talent. Elements of the Total Rewards package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities.

The Boeing Company also provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and a number of programs that provide for both paid and unpaid time away from work.

The specific programs and options available to any given employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.

Pay is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.

Summary Pay Range:

Level 3: $119,850 to $162,150

Level 4: $146,200 to $197,800

Language Requirements:

Not Applicable

Education:

Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent

Relocation:

This position offers relocation based on candidate eligibility.

Export Control Requirement:

This position must meet U.S. export control compliance requirements. To meet U.S. export control compliance requirements, a "U.S. Person" as defined by 22 C.F.R. 120.62 is required. "U.S. Person" includes U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee.

Safety Sensitive:

This is not a Safety Sensitive Position.

Security Clearance:

This position requires an active U.S. Top Secret/SCI Security Clearance (U.S. Citizenship Required). (A U.S. Security Clearance that has been active in the past 24 months is considered active)

Visa Sponsorship:

Employer will not sponsor applicants for employment visa status.

Contingent Upon Award Program

This position is not contingent upon program award

Shift:

Shift 1 (United States of America)

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Boeing is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

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About Boeing

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Boeing, we are all innovators on a mission to connect, protect, explore and inspire. From the sea bed to outer space, you'll learn and grow, contributing to work that shapes the world. Find your future with us.

Industry

Aviation and aerospace product and parts manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Chicago, IL, US