Question
10+

Senior Electrical Design Engineer

5/12/2026

Lead complex electrical and control system designs from concept through fabrication while ensuring compliance with industry codes. Mentor junior engineers and collaborate cross-functionally to maintain quality standards and optimize manufacturing processes.

Salary

95000 - 105000 USD

Working Hours

40 hours/week

Company Size

51-200 employees

Language

English

Visa Sponsorship

No

About The Company
Cates Control Systems has been providing automation and control products to manufacturing companies for over 40 years. In 1978 Gordon Cates founded the company as a DC and Eddy current service company in Houston, Texas. Since that time Cates has evolved into an automation solutions company offering engineering services, OEM control panel manufacturing, custom control panel fabrication, and PLC/VFD training classes. Cates has the expertise to specify the best products for your project, and we maintain direct relationships with top vendors for product sourcing. Our company has always focused on providing customers with exceptional service.
About the Role

Description

  

Job Purpose: 

We are seeking a highly skilled and driven Senior Electrical Design Engineer to lead complex design projects, ensure technical excellence, and mentor the next generation of engineers. In this role, you will take ownership of advanced electrical and control system designs from concept through fabrication, applying your deep expertise in industry codes and standards to deliver high-quality, reliable solutions. You will collaborate cross-functionally with customers, project managers, and manufacturing teams to solve challenges, improve processes, and uphold our commitment to quality. As a technical leader, you will play a critical role in shaping best practices, strengthening our design standards, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional growth within the engineering team.


Key Responsibilities:

1) Check and review designs as required.

2) Assist in maintaining Quality Assurance System.

3) Interface with customers, colleagues and manufacturing to resolve issues and provide guidance

4) Perform detailed Electrical / Mechanical designs for advanced projects.

5) Demonstrate the ability to identify changes in scope and notify Project Manager in a timely manner.

6) Requires minimum direction from the Senior Engineer or Project Manager and works completely unsupervised.

7) Superior knowledge of the NFPA 70 (NEC), UL508A and other standards.

8) Approves drawings and drawing sets for release to fabrication and to the customer

9) Train and mentor junior electrical design engineers on design techniques and best practices.


Measurements:

1) Errors and issues in the manufacturing stage of project is minimized - verified through Fabrication feedback.

2) Have documented evidence that the Quality Assurance System is being followed

3) Complete advanced designs within the scope of supply and create fully functional and operating designs.

4) Quality of checked designs are free of errors.

5) Design to project requirements with little or no changes required to meet scope of work, specification, and internal documents.

6) Project drawings will be drafted using standard AutoCAD principles and correct use of AutoCAD Electrical. Materials and Design must meet specified standards.

7) Efficient use of AutoCAD and AutoCAD Electrical based on content, scale, accuracy, speed and quality of designs - verified by hours billed vs. hours estimated.


Education and Experience:

1) Minimum of 10 years experience in Electrical Design of Power and Control systems. Extensive knowledge of NFPA 70, UL508A, and IEC standards. Must be able to understand, interpret and design to meet required codes and standards.

2) Minimum of 10 years experience using AutoCad Electrical performing electrical design.

3) Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Technical Electrical School, Electrical Trade Apprentice Certificate, Journeyman License, Master Electrical License or other form of formal electrical training required.


Soft Skills: 

1) Must be able to understand, interpret and design to meet required codes and standards.

2) Ability to do research and quickly learn on their own using the Internet and company resources.

3) Management or Leadership training to help interfacing with people and communication skills.


Technical Skills:

1) Electrical training (school, electrician, training courses).

2) NFPA 70 (NEC) and UL 508A Training Course or equivalent job experience.

3) UL508A (MTDR) certification required.

4) AutoCAD Electrical advanced training or equivalent job experience.

5) Microsoft Excel

6) Maintain continuous quality improvement with a thorough understanding of Quality Assurance principles and practices. Must be able to create and review quality standards to meet CSIA requirements. 

7) Have a thorough knowledge of control panel fabrication practices. Must be able to interface with craft labor and understand their needs. 

8) Extensive knowledge and skills in order to design any control system required.

9) Must be capable of researching scope, materials, and parts with a total understanding of what is required to design a fully operating control system.

10) Expert capabilities are required to create designs that meet NFPA, UL and other required standards.

11) AutoCAD Electrical software expertise is necessary and must have expert ability to design electrical schematics, point to point wiring diagrams, control panel layouts and designs, enclosure sheet metal designs, dimensioning, plotting, and revision maintenance.

12) Up to date knowledge of NFPA Codes and Standards

13) Expert knowledge of Hazardous Locations for NFPA and IEC. 

14) Knowledge of Intrinsically Safe Systems and Purge Systems necessary. 


More About Us

Cates Control Systems was founded over 40 years ago and is an award-winning systems integration company that partners with manufacturing firms to develop and implement automation solutions to increase production, improve quality and reduce costs. Our customers are extremely diverse and spread all over North America (and a few internationally). Our customers make roofing shingles, fry potato chips, roast coffee, process poultry and beef, distill water, bottle apple juice, and ship all over the world.

Cates is committed to delivering quality solutions that we stand behind through service and support. Our vision is to positively impact the lives of others. We are a fun, friendly company with a strong family atmosphere and 12 core principles that guide us at every step in our success. Our culture is firmly rooted in the values of honesty, integrity, commitment, and reliability. To learn more about Cates, please visit us at www.cates.com.


Job Type: Full-time, in-office.

Location: Plano, TX


Schedule:

  • Monday to Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Pay range: $95,000-$105,000


Benefits:

  • 401(k)
  • Dental insurance
  • Flexible schedule
  • Flexible spending account
  • Health insurance
  • Health savings account
  • Life insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Professional development assistance
  • Referral program
  • Vision insurance
Key Skills
Electrical DesignControl SystemsAutoCAD ElectricalNFPA 70 (NEC)UL508AIEC StandardsQuality AssuranceMentoringProject ManagementHazardous Locations DesignIntrinsically Safe SystemsPurge SystemsControl Panel FabricationSchematic DesignMicrosoft ExcelTechnical Leadership
Categories
EngineeringManufacturingManagement & LeadershipTrades
Benefits
401(k)Dental insuranceFlexible scheduleFlexible spending accountHealth insuranceHealth savings accountLife insurancePaid time offProfessional development assistanceReferral programVision insurance
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