Cable Designer

About Forterra

At Forterra, we are unleashing autonomy at scale to transform the battlefield. Our mission is to build the foundational platforms that enable an intelligent ecosystem to coordinate, adapt, and execute with speed and precision even in the uncertainty and disruption of modern conflict. In an era marked by rapid technological change and evolving threats, we design for flexibility, survivability, and operational dominance.

Forterra delivers weapons, sensors, and battlefield effects through integrated autonomous networks reaching operational areas faster, safer, and without placing human lives at risk. Our systems operate with distributed control, dynamic routing, and real-time responsiveness, enabling sustained advantage across complex mission environments.

About the role

Forterra is looking for a hands-on Cable Designer to join the Core Product team in Clarksburg, MD. You will be working with a small team of engineers to develop autonomous systems for military and commercial vehicles. This involves designing and building the systems critical for autonomous vehicles using components such as embedded computers, power systems, networking components and various sensors.

What you'll do

Your time will be split between working on the next-gen system designs, and maintaining existing fielded designs. This involves working on cabling internal to our system designs. These span power cables, ethernet, automotive ethernet, and CAN and other IO.

• Develop and maintain system level cable design diagrams
• Design, build, route, and test cable assemblies.
• Calculate power/load requirements cable connectors, wire sizes, and other electrical components for cable harnesses and associated devices.
• Develop cable harness schematics and parts list documentation.
• Submit purchase requests for necessary parts and materials.
• Collaborate with equipment suppliers to gather essential design information.
• Coordinate design efforts with other engineering disciplines.
• Provide guidance and direction to technicians as needed.
• Integrate cabling in various systems and troubleshoot issues that may arise.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Design, or a related field OR 2+ Years of experience in Electrical Engineering or equivalent field.
• Proficiency in CAD software (Altium, or other) and electrical design tools
• Proficiency in reading and interpreting electrical schematics and component datasheets
• Familiarity with electrical testing equipment, including multimeters, power supplies, load banks, signal generators, and oscilloscopes.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience designing and documenting cable assemblies to military and/or industrial specs.
• Proficiency in designing and utilizing military-style circular connectors.

US Salary Range
$65,000 - $100,000

Location

Hybrid in Clarksburg, MD

The salary range for this role is an estimate and is based on a wide variety of compensation factors. The salary offered to candidates will vary based on a variety of factors including (but not limited to) relevant work experience, education, specialized training, critical expertise, training, and more. Equity in Forterra is included in most of our full-time, high-demand roles and is therefore considered part of Forterra's overall compensation package. In addition to base salary and equity, Forterra offers competitive benefits for full-time employees including:

• Premium Healthcare Benefits: Three plan options, including an HSA-eligible plan, with Forterra covering 80% of the plan premium for you and your dependents.
• Basic Life/AD&D, short and long-term disability insurance plans 100% covered by Forterra, plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your dependents.
• Extremely generous company holiday calendar including a winter break in December.
• Competitive paid time off (PTO) offering 20 days accrued per year.
• A minimum of 7 weeks fully paid parental leave for birth/adoption.
• A $9k annual tuition reimbursement or professional development stipend.
• Fully stocked beverage refrigerators with all the Celsius your little heart desires.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan, including traditional, Roth 401(k), and after-tax deferral with company match up to 4%.

Your recruiter will be able to share more information about our salary and benefits offering during the hiring process.

CLEARANCE ELIGIBILITY - This position may require eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance. For more information about U.S. Security Clearances: click here.


Forterra is an equal-opportunity employer, providing and promoting equal employment opportunity in all personnel practices. Forterrans are unique, talented individuals who are united through a shared passion to deliver autonomous systems that enable national resilience and a robust supply chain.


All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any factor, including veteran and disability status, and criminal history, in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws.

Forterra is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Please let your recruiter know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process.

To see Forterra's candidate data privacy policy, please visit Forterra Legal | Job Applicant Privacy Notice.