Senior Electrical Design Engineer

Senior Electrical Design Engineer

Department: Engineering

Reports To: Electrical Department Head

Direct Reports: Electrical Design Engineer I

Employment Type: Full-Time

Location: Summerville, SC

Industry: Marine / Boat Manufacturing

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Senior Electrical Design Engineer to lead the design, documentation, validation, and production support of electrical systems across our boat lineup.

This position owns the electrical architecture of new and existing models, from early concept and component selection through harness release, production launch, and continuous improvement. The Senior Electrical Design Engineer sets the technical standard for the electrical engineering function, ensures compliance with marine electrical standards, and mentors and directs the Electrical Design Engineer I.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on technical leader who understands both the engineering and the build. They are comfortable at a CAD workstation and on the production floor, communicate clearly with engineers, technicians, suppliers, and leadership, and take pride in building systems that are safe, reliable, serviceable, and efficient to manufacture.

Key Responsibilities

Electrical System Design & Architecture

• Lead the design and development of complete electrical systems for new and existing boat models, including DC distribution, AC shore power and generator systems, battery and charging systems, and engine integration.

• Define the electrical architecture for each model, including power distribution, circuit protection strategy, grounding and bonding, and network topology.

• Create, review, and approve electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, harness drawings, and related documentation.

• Perform and verify electrical calculations, including load analysis, wire sizing, voltage drop, circuit protection, battery capacity, and charging system sizing.

• Select and specify electrical components, connectors, terminals, wire, circuit protection devices, switching, and electronics.

• Design and integrate NMEA 2000 networks, digital switching systems, displays, and marine electronics packages.

• Design and specify lithium battery systems, inverters, chargers, and related power management equipment.

• Lead the design of electrical enclosures, panels, and component mounting.

• Collaborate with mechanical, structural, and design engineering on wire routing, component locations, chase sizing, and serviceability.

Leadership & Mentoring

• Provide technical direction, mentoring, and day-to-day guidance to the Electrical Design Engineer I.

• Review and approve work prepared by the Electrical Design Engineer I and provide constructive feedback.

• Establish, document, and maintain company electrical design standards, drawing standards, and best practices.

• Lead electrical design reviews and represent electrical engineering in cross-functional engineering meetings.

• Plan and prioritize electrical engineering workload to support model year launches and production schedules.

Standards & Compliance

• Serve as the company's technical authority on marine electrical standards, including ABYC, USCG, NMMA, and other applicable requirements.

• Ensure all electrical designs comply with applicable standards, including ABYC E-11 (AC and DC Electrical Systems on Boats), ABYC E-13 (Lithium Ion Batteries), ABYC A-31 (Battery Chargers and Inverters), and 33 CFR 183 Subpart I (Electrical Systems).

• Support NMMA certification and respond to compliance findings.

• Stay current on revisions to marine electrical standards and update company practices accordingly.

Production & Manufacturing Support

• Partner with the Electrical Department to resolve build issues, improve installation methods, and reduce rework.

• Design harnesses and systems with manufacturability, installation time, and serviceability in mind.

• Support prototype builds and production launches of new models, including first-article inspection of harnesses and electrical installations.

• Work with harness suppliers and component vendors on specifications, quality, cost, and lead times.

• Investigate warranty claims, field failures, and dealer feedback, perform root cause analysis, and implement corrective actions.

Testing & Validation

• Develop electrical test procedures and acceptance criteria for production and prototype boats.

• Lead validation and troubleshooting of new electrical systems and components.

• Verify that installed systems match released documentation and engineering intent.

Documentation & Change Control

• Own electrical bills of materials, wire lists, component lists, and harness documentation for all models.

• Manage revision control and the engineering change process for electrical drawings and documentation.

• Ensure accurate and timely release of electrical documentation to purchasing, production, and suppliers.