Design Engineer

Job Title: Design Engineer

Job Description

The Design Engineer supports the research and development team in developing, validating, integrating, and successfully launching electrical components and systems for new product development and customer-specific applications. This role focuses on the design and layout of electrical wiring for specialty trucks and vans used in the shipping and service industries, including box trucks for parcel delivery and service fleets. The position offers the opportunity to move from a traditional manufacturing environment into an R&D-focused setting, with a strong emphasis on creativity, innovation, and involvement in the full design and product development process.

Responsibilities

• Support the R&D team in developing, validating, integrating, and launching electrical components and systems for new product development and customer programs.

• Design and lay out electrical wiring systems for specialty trucks and vans, including box trucks and similar vehicles used in shipping and service industries.

• Confer and collaborate with engineers, customers, suppliers, and other stakeholders to discuss existing or potential engineering projects, products, and design requirements.

• Design, implement, maintain, test, and improve the electrical wiring and associated systems of vehicles to meet performance, safety, and customer requirements.

• Operate CAD software, including 3D CAD tools such as SolidWorks, to create and revise electrical layouts, harness designs, and related engineering documentation.

• Diagnose, problem-solve, and troubleshoot issues related to electrical wiring, harnesses, and vehicle electrical systems, and implement effective corrective actions.

• Assist in building prototypes of intended vehicles for testing, validation, and customer or internal approval.

• Participate in design reviews, provide technical input, and help ensure designs are feasible, manufacturable, and aligned with R&D and business objectives.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support the transition of new electrical designs from R&D into manufacturing environments.

Essential Skills

• 3–5 years of experience in vehicle design focused on electrical wiring and/or wire harnesses for platforms such as trucks, vans, buses, recreational vehicles, automobiles, or boats.

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, or a two-year technical degree combined with a minimum of 5 years of practical and relevant experience in electrical vehicle design.

• Proven ability to use 3D CAD software for design and layout of electrical systems, with SolidWorks strongly preferred.

• Hands-on experience in electrical design for vehicles, including wiring layout, harness routing, and integration of electrical components and systems.

• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot and resolve issues in electrical wiring and vehicle electrical systems.

• Ability to operate CAD software and related equipment to perform detailed engineering tasks.

• Strong communication skills to effectively confer with engineers, customers, suppliers, and other stakeholders about engineering projects and products.

• Capability to support prototype builds and testing activities for new vehicle designs.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working on specialty or commercial vehicles such as delivery trucks, service vans, buses, RVs, or similar platforms.

• Experience in an R&D or product development environment, with exposure to design validation and integration activities.

• Interest in moving from a transactional manufacturing role into a more creative, design-focused position.

• Familiarity with integrating electrical systems to support new manufacturing processes and methods.

• Ability to work effectively in a small, collaborative R&D team and contribute across multiple stages of the design and development cycle.

Work Environment

This role is part of a small R&D team based in an office setting in Wolcottville, IN. The R&D center focuses on creating new manufacturing processes and advancing current methods, while full-scale manufacturing takes place at separate facilities. The site includes several small buildings where vehicle and component testing is performed onsite, providing close proximity to prototype builds and validation activities. Typical hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with an expected workload of approximately 40–45 hours per week. The environment emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and stability, offering a more creative and less transactional experience than many traditional manufacturing roles.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Wolcottville, IN.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $38.50 - $45.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Wolcottville,IN.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 15, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on click.appcast.io for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.