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Wire Harness Design Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Design Engineer Staff

Tysons, VA · 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 ...

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

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

Electrical Engineer

Herndon, VA · On-site

$100K - $160K/yr

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

Design Engineer 5 - Tysons, VA

Tysons, VA · On-site

$101K - $138K/yr

Seeking a Senior Design Engineer that is able to work with a dynamic team of engineers, administrators, and technicians responsible for design, implementation, operations & maintenance, and ...

Our client is a leading developer of laser and electro-optic systems for the aerospace community ... harness design, and documentation. This will also include board and system-level integration and ...

You will work closely with engineers and other production staff to ensure that all components meet ... wire harness assemblies, low voltage assemblies or computer repair. Responsibilities:

Showing results 41-60

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 15, 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.

Design Engineer Staff

M.C. Dean, Inc

Tysons, VA • On-site

$90K - $113K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 20 days ago


M.C. Dean rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 45 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

262nd of 449 rated engineering


Job description

Overview
About M.C. Dean
M.C. Dean is Building Intelligence. We design, build, operate, and maintain cyber-physical solutions for the nation's most mission-critical facilities, secure environments, complex infrastructure, and global enterprises. With over 7,000 employees, our capabilities span electrical, electronic security, telecommunications, life safety, automation and controls, audiovisual, and IT systems. Headquarters in Tysons, Virginia, M.C. Dean delivers resilient, secure, and innovative power and technology solutions through engineering expertise and smart systems integration.
Why Join Us?
Our people are passionate about engineering innovation that improves lives and drives impactful change. Guided by our core values-agility, expertise, and trust-we foster a collaborative and forward-thinking work environment. At M.C. Dean, we are committed to building the next generation of technical leaders in electrical, engineering, and cybersecurity industries.
Responsibilities
  • 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 Engineering Installation Design Packages
  • Create Cable, Device, and Performance Verification Test Plans
  • Assist in the Bids and Proposals process to capture new work
  • Participate in site surveys during all phases of projects.
  • Participate in Pre-Installation Testing and Checkout (PITCO) processes including System programming, integration testing, and equipment build outs.
  • Assist various calculations; including but not limited to power, heat, voltage drop, conduit sizing and bandwidth.
  • Assist with development of sequence of operations, compliance matrices and other project support documentation.
  • Developing a basic understanding of related industry documentation such as NEC, NFPA, UL Code (294, 1076, and 2050), ICD 705, NISPOM.
  • Participate in new product evaluations and recommendations.
  • Contributing to engineering by suggesting improvement and researching questions.
  • This position will rotate through various areas of M.C. Dean to gain valuable exposure to the company's processes and procedures.

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's Degree in a technical discipline (BS) such as Electrical Engineering or Systems Engineering
  • Two (2)+ years of experience in engineering, with preferred experience in design build
  • Must have the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced collaborative environment
  • Ability to effectively communicate with various customers, vendors, and peers
  • Experience leading large scale designs
  • Ability to effectively work with AutoCAD

Abilities:
  • Exposure to computer screens for an extended period of time
  • Sitting for extended periods of time.
  • Reach by extending hands or arms in any direction.
  • Have finger dexterity in order to manipulate objects with fingers rather than whole hands or arms, for example, using a keyboard.
  • Listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Identify and understand the speech of another person.

We offer an excellent benefits package including:
  • A competitive salary
  • Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • 401k Retirement Plan
  • Military Reserve pay offset
  • Paid maternity leave

Pay Range
USD $90,640.00 - USD $113,300.00 /Yr.

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About M.C. Dean

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

M.C. Dean is Building Intelligence®. We design, build, operate, and maintain cyber-physical solutions for the nation's most recognizable mission-critical facilities, secure environments, complex infrastructure, and global enterprises. The company's capabilities include electrical, electronic security, telecommunications, life-safety, instrumentation and control, and command and control systems. M.C. Dean is headquartered in Tysons, Virginia, and employs more than 5,100 professionals who engineer and deploy automated, secure, and resilient power and technology systems; and deliver the management platforms essential for long-term system sustainability.

Industry

Engineering professional services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Tysons, VA, US

Year founded

1949

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