Electrical Engineer II in Roanoke, Virginia at Tread Corporation

Position Overview:

We are seeking a skilled and motivated Electrical Design Engineer II to join our engineering team in Roanoke, Virginia. This role is essential to support the Commercial, Manufacturing, and Field Service teams with electrical designs for fixed and mobile equipment used in the civil explosives industry. The initial focus of the position is low-voltage DC circuit design, control panel layouts, and electrical CAD modeling and drafting on both new and legacy systems. As the role matures, scope will expand to include AC power distribution for fixed plant equipment and light PLC/HMI programming. The successful candidate will follow designs through the entire lifecycle - working with the Commercial team on concept designs and specifications, Manufacturing on production and sustaining activities, and Field Service to provide comprehensive end-user support. This position is ideal for an engineer with 2-5 years of experience who is ready to take ownership of electrical systems on complex mobile and fixed equipment.

Key Responsibilities:

Electrical Design and Engineering:

• Design 12/24 VDC electrical systems for mobile equipment, including load analysis, wire and fuse/breaker sizing, circuit protection, relay logic, grounding, and connector and harness selection

• Develop control panel and enclosure layouts - component placement, terminal blocks, DIN rail, wire duct, labeling, and thermal/environmental considerations - following UL 508A and NFPA 79 practices

• Prepare electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, harness drawings, panel layout drawings, and electrical bills of materials (BOMs) in SkyCAD and Solid Edge within the Teamcenter PLM environment

• Model electrical components, enclosures, and harness routings in 3D and coordinate with Mechanical Design to integrate electrical hardware into vehicle and plant assemblies

• Reverse-engineer, document, and update legacy electrical systems, migrating older schematics and panel drawings into current CAD and drawing standards

• Apply Design for Manufacturing (DFM) principles to panel builds and harness assemblies to reduce build time, wiring errors, and cost

AC Power and Controls (growing scope):

• Progressively take on AC power distribution design for fixed plant equipment (120/240/480 VAC, single- and three-phase), including motor control, starters, VFDs, transformers, disconnects, and grounding in compliance with NEC (NFPA 70)

• Support light PLC/HMI programming, I/O configuration, and logic changes on new and existing control systems using IEC 61131-3 languages (ladder, function block, structured text) in CODESYS, under the guidance of the Senior Control System Engineer

• Interpret and troubleshoot CAN bus / SAE J1939 networks, sensors, and electronic controllers used on mobile equipment

Component Selection and Cost Estimation:

• Specify electrical components - relays, contactors, connectors, cabling, sensors, solenoids, enclosures - based on electrical requirements, operating environment (vibration, temperature, moisture, hazardous location considerations), availability, and cost

• Develop accurate cost estimates for concept electrical designs to support project planning and budgeting

Testing and Validation:

• Generate test plans to qualify and validate new electrical designs, including panel point-to-point checkout, continuity and insulation checks, and functional testing

• Apply electrical aptitude and troubleshooting skills under pressure, both on the shop floor and in field environments, using multimeters, clamp meters, oscilloscopes, and diagnostic tools

Documentation and Collaboration:

• Compile design review reports, wiring instructions, and electrical documentation for manuals and service literature as necessary

• Work collaboratively with Commercial, Manufacturing, and Field Service teams throughout the product lifecycle, supporting production with build instructions and resolving wiring and panel issues

• Travel domestically and internationally (less than 5%) to support product development and Field Service needs

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or Electrical Engineering Technology

• 2-5 years of relevant experience in an engineering/manufacturing environment

• Demonstrated experience designing low-voltage DC circuits and electrical control panels

• Ability to read, create, and maintain electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, harness drawings, and panel layout drawings

• Working knowledge of wire sizing, circuit protection, grounding, and voltage drop calculations

• Familiarity with applicable electrical codes and standards (NEC/NFPA 70, NFPA 79, UL 508A)

• Familiarity with relays, contactors, sensors, solenoids, actuators, and other electromechanical devices used on industrial or mobile equipment

• Competency in a current electrical CAD package and a 3D mechanical CAD package

• Strong electrical aptitude and ability to troubleshoot under pressure, both on the shop floor and in the field

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite

• Excellent administrative, interpersonal, and communication skills

• Ability to work as an individual contributor with a team-oriented mindset

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with off-highway or heavy equipment electrical systems (12/24 VDC, SAE J1939/CAN bus, sealed connectors and harnesses)

• Proficiency in SkyCAD and Solid Edge within a Teamcenter PLM environment

• Experience with AC industrial power design - motor control, VFDs, and 480 VAC three-phase distribution

• Exposure to PLC/HMI programming in IEC 61131-3 languages (CODESYS preferred; Allen-Bradley or Siemens acceptable)

• Understanding of hazardous location electrical requirements (NEC Articles 500-505) and intrinsically safe circuit principles

• Experience with electro-hydraulic proportional valve control and mobile electronic controllers

• Knowledge of civil explosives industry equipment and applications

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package

• Opportunities for professional growth and technical development, including a defined path into AC power and controls engineering

• A collaborative and innovative engineering environment

• The opportunity to work on challenging projects in the civil explosives industry