Job Description & Details
This is a hands-on electrical system design role based in Huntsville, working on complex aerospace and military hardware. You'll be bridging the gap between high-level system architecture and physical build, meaning you need to enjoy both the math of component derating and the physical reality of wiring harnesses and lab testing. Keep in mind you'll need to secure a DoD Secret clearance, so eligibility is non-negotiable here.
What You'll Actually Be Doing
Expect to spend your days knee-deep in electrical schematics, drawing up cable specifications, and figuring out why a prototype is behaving strangely on the lab bench. You will map out system-level electrical architectures from scratch, select components that won't melt under stress, and run verification tests on newly assembled hardware. Beyond individual contributor work, you'll also act as a technical sounding board and reviewer for junior engineers trying to untangle tricky integration snarls.
The Core Tech Stack
Your bread and butter here will be professional design tools like SolidWorks Electrical, Creo Schematic, or DraftSight to churn out precise wiring diagrams and block diagrams. Because you are touching military and aerospace hardware, familiarity with standards like IPC/WHMA-A-620 class 3, IPC J-STD-001, and the AS50881 NASA Derating Standard will immediately put you ahead of the pack. You also need to know your way around oscilloscopes, multimeters, and high-power AC distribution lab equipment.
Interview Expectations
Expect the engineering panel to walk you through a scenario where a custom cable assembly failed thermal or electrical stress testing, asking you to trace the failure back to component selection or schematic design. They want to see how you troubleshoot under pressure and whether you actually understand derating principles. You'll also likely be grilled on your practical experience with military or aerospace standards, so be ready to explain how you've applied specs like AS50881 to real hardware designs in past projects.
Application Advice
When updating your resume for this role, don't just list tools—highlight the specific scale of the systems you've worked on, especially if you have exposure to high-power applications or aerospace/defense projects. Make sure keywords like 'SolidWorks Electrical', 'cable design', 'component derating', and 'system integration' are prominently featured to ensure you clear the initial ATS screening before a human recruiter ever looks at your profile.