Electrical Design Engineer – Material Handling Systems

Location: Ashland, VA (Onsite)
Job Type: Contract-to-Hire
Schedule: Monday–Friday | 7:00 AM–4:00 PM
Starting Pay: From $39.00 per hour (higher compensation may be available based on experience)
Overtime: Not Available

We are looking for an Electrical Design Engineer to support the design, installation, and ongoing improvement of electrical systems used in industrial material handling equipment. This onsite position focuses on developing electrical designs, assisting with equipment startup, troubleshooting control systems, and ensuring compliance with applicable industry codes and standards.

This opportunity is ideal for someone with experience in industrial electrical engineering, overhead crane systems, and manufacturing automation.

• Design electrical systems for bridge cranes, gantry cranes, monorails, workstation cranes, and other material handling equipment.
• Develop electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and control panel layouts using CAD software.
• Select and integrate electrical components, including Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), conductor bars, festoon systems, relays, limit switches, and safety devices.
• Perform electrical load calculations, develop control logic, and support 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.

• Assist with installation, startup, commissioning, and modernization of crane systems.
• Configure and test VFDs, soft starters, relays, and HMI interfaces.
• Perform functional testing to verify equipment performance before production.

• Troubleshoot electrical issues involving motors, control panels, communication networks, limit devices, and control systems.
• Support repairs, equipment upgrades, retrofits, and corrective actions to improve system reliability.
• Maintain accurate documentation for electrical revisions, repairs, and design changes.

• Promote compliance with electrical safety requirements and industry standards.
• Participate in safety reviews, inspections, and risk assessments.
• Work closely with engineers, project managers, technicians, maintenance personnel, and production teams.
• Provide technical guidance to operators and maintenance staff.
• Support continuous improvement efforts focused on increasing reliability and reducing equipment downtime.