Job Title: Mechanical Harness Engineer
Job Description The Mechanical Harness Engineer designs, develops, and integrates complex electrical harnesses that enable reliable power and data transmission within advanced electromechanical systems, with a focus on aerospace and space applications. The role involves detailed harness routing and CAD modeling, close collaboration with cross-functional engineering teams, and adherence to high-reliability standards for space environments.
Responsibilities
• Design and develop electrical harnesses based on system requirements, taking into account space constraints, environmental conditions, and performance needs.
• Collaborate closely with systems, electrical, and mechanical engineering teams to define harness requirements and ensure alignment with overall system design objectives.
• Create and maintain detailed harness documentation, including schematics, routing layouts, connector selection, and termination plans using CAD tools.
• Ensure harness designs comply with applicable industry standards, aerospace guidelines, and internal quality requirements.
• Perform analysis to validate mechanical durability, electrical performance, and environmental resilience of harness designs.
• Support manufacturing, assembly, and integration activities to ensure harness designs are implemented correctly, efficiently, and in accordance with specifications.
• Conduct testing and validation activities such as continuity checks, insulation resistance testing, and signal verification to confirm harness performance.
• Work with suppliers and vendors to source components, balancing cost, quality, lead time, and reliability considerations.
• Document design processes, test results, engineering changes, and configuration updates in an organized and traceable manner.
• Participate in design reviews, present technical findings, and provide input to improve product performance, reliability, and manufacturability.
• Assist in troubleshooting issues identified during integration, testing, or field operations, and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Stay current with industry trends, emerging technologies, and evolving standards in harness design and space systems to support continuous improvement.
• Focus on harness routing and CAD modeling using tools such as Autodesk Inventor and Siemens NX, with an emphasis on robust and efficient layouts.
Essential Skills • Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
• A minimum of 3–5 years of experience in electrical harness design for aerospace or space applications.
• Hands-on experience with harness routing and CAD modeling, particularly using Autodesk Inventor and Siemens NX.
• Proficiency with CAD tools such as Autodesk Inventor for 3D modeling of harness routing within mechanical assemblies.
• Familiarity with harness design standards and schematic capture tools.
• Ability to create and interpret detailed harness schematics, routing layouts, connector selections, and termination plans.
• Experience performing analysis to validate mechanical durability, electrical performance, and environmental resilience of harness designs.
• Ability to support manufacturing, assembly, and integration of harnesses in complex electromechanical systems.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for documentation, design reviews, and cross-team coordination.
• Analytical mindset with strong problem-solving abilities applied to design, integration, and troubleshooting.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Meticulous attention to detail to ensure accuracy in documentation, design, and implementation.
Additional Skills & Qualifications • Experience with high-reliability harness design for small satellites, CubeSats, or nano/microsatellites.
• Knowledge of space-rated materials and manufacturing processes relevant to harness construction.
• Familiarity with thermal analysis and thermal management techniques in space environments.
• Previous work with major aerospace agencies or satellite manufacturers.
• Experience using Fusion 360 PLM and Vault for product lifecycle management and configuration control.
• Exposure to or understanding of global cellular broadband systems and space-based communications architectures.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and adopt emerging technologies in harness design.
Work Environment This role supports the development of a pioneering global cellular broadband network in space, designed to operate directly with standard, unmodified mobile devices for both commercial and government applications. Engineers and space scientists work together on a mission to eliminate connectivity gaps and bring broadband access to billions of users worldwide. The position can be performed remotely or onsite in engineering facilities located in Lanham, MD, or Midland, offering flexibility in work location. The environment is highly collaborative and technology-driven, with frequent interaction across systems, electrical, and mechanical engineering teams. Daily work involves extensive use of CAD tools such as Autodesk Inventor, Siemens NX, Fusion 360 PLM, and Vault, as well as harness design standards and schematic capture tools. The role includes participation in design reviews, testing, and integration activities, often in lab or assembly settings where precision, safety, and adherence to process are critical. Hours are typically standard business hours, with occasional schedule flexibility to support project milestones, integration events, or testing campaigns in a dynamic aerospace and space-systems development environment.
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Lanham, MD.
Pay and Benefits The pay range for this position is $100000.00 - $110000.00/yr.
AST offers benefits and stock within company
Workplace Type This is a fully remote position.
Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Jun 13, 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 actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com 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.
$100000-$110000 per year Employment Type: Full-Time