Electrical Design Engineer – Material Handling Systems
Location: Ashland, VA (Onsite)
Schedule: Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Job Type: 6-Month Contract-to-Hire
Starting Pay: From $39.00/hour, with higher pay available based on experience. No overtime available.
Position Summary
We are seeking an experienced Electrical Design Engineer to support the design and implementation of electrical systems used in overhead cranes and industrial lifting equipment. This onsite position is responsible for creating electrical designs, supporting system installations, troubleshooting equipment, and ensuring compliance with applicable industry standards.
The ideal candidate has experience with industrial electrical systems, crane controls, and automation within manufacturing or heavy industrial environments.
Key Responsibilities
Electrical Engineering & Design
Design electrical systems for bridge cranes, gantry cranes, monorails, workstation cranes, and other material handling equipment.
Produce electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and control panel layouts using CAD software.
Specify and integrate electrical components including Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), conductor bars, festoon systems, relays, limit switches, and safety devices.
Perform load calculations, develop control logic, and plan power distribution for hoist, trolley, bridge, and below-the-hook equipment.
Ensure designs comply with CMAA 70 , CMAA 74 , NFPA 70 (NEC) , and ASME B30 standards.
Installation & Commissioning
Support installation, startup, and commissioning of new crane systems and modernization projects.
Configure and test VFDs, soft starters, relays, and HMI interfaces.
Verify system performance through functional testing and equipment validation.
Technical Support & Troubleshooting
Diagnose electrical issues involving motors, control panels, communication networks, limit devices, and control systems.
Assist with repairs, upgrades, and corrective actions to improve equipment performance and reliability.
Maintain accurate documentation for electrical revisions, repairs, and system modifications.
Safety & Team Collaboration
Promote compliance with electrical safety requirements and industry standards.
Participate in safety reviews, inspections, and risk assessments.
Collaborate with engineers, project managers, technicians, and maintenance personnel throughout project execution.
Provide technical guidance and support to operators and maintenance teams.
Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives focused on increasing reliability and reducing equipment downtime.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related discipline, or equivalent industry experience.
3–7 years of experience designing, installing, or maintaining electrical systems for overhead cranes or similar industrial equipment.
Strong knowledge of:
Overhead crane classifications (CMAA)
Motor control systems for hoist, trolley, and bridge motion
Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), soft starters, and motor protection systems
Ability to create, interpret, and review electrical schematics and technical documentation.
Experience with conductor bar systems, festoon systems, pendant controls, radio remote controls, and collision-avoidance systems.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with custom crane design, modernization projects, or equipment retrofits.
Knowledge of crane automation, sway control technology, and load monitoring systems.
Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
Comfortable working in industrial manufacturing environments, including elevated work areas when required.
Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
Work Environment
Full-time onsite position in an industrial manufacturing facility.
Occasional travel to customer or project locations may be required.