Electrical Design Engineer job description: Responsibilities and skills

Electrical Design Engineers are the people who make complex electrical systems buildable, safe and maintable.. They translate requirements into schematics, wiring diagrams, bills on materials (BOM) and design packs that technicians and installers can actually use. When things change mid-project, they ensure the design remains accurate, compliant and safe.

Here, we’ll take a look at what an electrical design engineer does, the responsibilities you can expect, and the skills employers value.

What is an Electrical Design Engineer?

An Electrical Design Engineer designs electrical systems and produces the documentation needed to build, install, commission and maintain them. Depending on the industry, this may include:

• Industrial control panels
• Instrumentation systems
• Wiring harnesses and cable assemblies
• Electrical works packages for large or complex equipment such as special purpose machines

Electrical Design Engineers rarely work in isolation. The role is to translate technical requirements into clear, buildable designs alongside other stakeholders, while managing changes and decisions as a project moves from concept through to build and commissioning.

Responsibilities of an Electrical Design Engineer 

While job titles and descriptions vary across industries, Electrical Design Engineers share the same core responsibilities:.

• Creating electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and control panel layouts
• Producing supporting documentation such as BOMs, cable schedules
• Designing wiring harnesses and cable assemblies where required
• Selecting components and maintaining preferred parts/standards across projects
• Supporting build, installation and commissioning teams
• Ensuring designs meet relevant standards (IEC, ATEX) and safety requirements
• Managing revisions, documentation, and design changes through the lifecycle

Employers expect Electrical Design Engineers to deliver clear, structured design packs that technicians can follow without ambiguity.

Key skills in an Electrical Design Engineer job description

Strong candidates for Electrical Design Engineer jobs usually have a mix of technical competence and dependable working habits. Employers look for people who can design robust systems, manage change without chaos, and support cross-functional teams.

Technical skills

• Strong understanding of electrical fundamentals and schematic captures 
• Experience of CAD/schematic tools (e.g. AutoCAD Electrical, SolidWorks Electrical, EPLAN)
• Knowledge of control panel and low-voltage system design
• Documentation discipline (BOMs, cable schedules, device lists, revision control)
• Familiarity with electrical safety, regulatory standards and compliance requirements (e.g. BS EN, IEC, UL) 
• Comfort working across the project lifecycle, including design changes and updates

Soft skills

• Clear written and verbal communication
• Organisation and follow-through 
• Calm approach under pressure, especially around build deadlines and commissioning windows
• Ability to collaborate with mechanical, controls, production and installation teams

Typical requirements for Electrical Design Engineer jobs

Requirements vary by seniority and industry, but most design engineer jobs in electrical require a combination of education and hands-on experience.

Education and qualifications

• Degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Control Engineering, or similar
• HNC/HND routes are also common, especially when paired with strong relevant experience

Experienced employers often want

• Experience producing schematics and complete electrical design packs
• Evidence that you can keep documentation accurate across multiple revisions
• CAD/schematic tool experience 
• Exposure to build support, manufacturing interaction, or commissioning environments 
• Familiarity with standards, compliance expectations and safe design practices

Where can the Electrical Design Engineer career path take you?

Electrical design is a strong foundation because it builds engineering judgement. In an Electrical Design Engineer job, you’ll have hands-on experience in safety, systems thinking, and the ability to deliver work other people can build from.

A common progression route looks like:

• Electrical Design Engineer: produces electrical design packs for projects or product lines
• Senior Electrical Design Engineer: leading complex designs, reviewing work, improving standards and consistency
• Lead/Principal Engineer: technical authority, risk ownership, design strategy across multiple projects
• Controls/Systems Engineer: broader integration across PLC, SCADA, instrumentation, and functional design
• Engineering Manager: leading teams and shaping how design work is delivered
   

Is an Electrical Design Engineering role right for you?

Engineers who thrive in Electrical Design Engineer jobs respond to structure and practical outcomes. They enjoy turning requirements into something real and buildable, and they don’t cut corners when safety and compliance are involved.

This path will suit you if you:

• Enjoy producing clear, structured design outputs
• Don’t mind revisions and change control 
• Like working closely with other engineering and build teams
• Find satisfaction from seeing your design built, installed and working in the field

How Redline Group Supports Electrical Design Engineer careers

At Redline Group, has been building world-class engineering and technology teams since the early 1980s. With a knowledge-led approach to recruitment across specialist markets. If you’re researching a electrical design engineer careers because you’re considering a move, our consultants draw on decades of experience to find the right opportunity.

To our latest opportunities, head over to our Electrical Engineer jobs today.