At JBT Marel, what we do matters, we know that the contribution of our employees leads to the success of our business.
Our purpose is to transform the future of food; this guides our vision of being the global leader in food and beverage technology, by harnessing the full power of JBT Marel to partner with our customers and pioneer sustainable innovation.
Our values show who we are at our best. As we Create with Collaboration, Serve with Integrity, Grow with Excellence, and Advance with Innovation.
As our Senior Electrical Engineer II for the Engineering department, you will report to the Manager, Engineering.
In this role you will support the Formova Division within JBT Marel and is located in Chalfont, PA (45 minutes from Philadelphia, PA).
The Opportunity
JBT Marel is seeking a Senior Electrical Engineer II to join our Electrical Engineering team in Chalfont, PA. This position is responsible for the electrical design, development, documentation, and troubleshooting of mobile autonomous industrial vehicles (AGVs/AMRs) and the automation systems that support them in customer facilities.
The role covers vehicle power distribution, harnesses, drives, batteries and chargers, navigation and safety sensors, and the site infrastructure AGV fleets rely on, working with systems from 12VDC through 480VAC. You will also direct and review the work of external engineering contractors supporting AGV development and customer projects.
Responsibilities
As a Senior Electrical Engineer II, you will:
AGV Electrical Design & Development
- Design AGV electrical systems: on-board power distribution, wiring harnesses, vehicle control panels, and traction, steering, and load-handling drive interfaces.
- Design and specify battery (lead-acid and lithium-ion), BMS, and charger systems, including automatic and opportunity charging.
- Integrate navigation sensors (LiDAR/laser navigation, encoders, IMUs), vehicle networks (CAN/CANopen, EtherNet/IP), and RF/wireless infrastructure linking fleets to plant systems.
- Design, troubleshoot, and debug vehicle and site control panels operating from 12VDC through 480VAC, applying NFPA 79, NEC, and UL 508A.
- Support coding and debugging of PLCs, vehicle controllers, HMIs, barcode readers, RFID, and photoelectric/ultrasonic sensors.
- Support site power distribution and facility interfaces (chargers, doors, conveyors, elevators) for AGV deployments.
Electrical Diagnostics, Safety & Compliance
- Perform advanced electrical troubleshooting, CAN bus diagnostics, and signal integrity checks on vehicles and site equipment.
- Read and update electrical schematics, single-line diagrams, and wiring layouts.
- Lead safety system validations (e.g., ISO 3691-4, UL 583, ANSI/ITSDF B56.5, UL 3100), configuring laser scanners, safety fields, bumper sensors, and emergency stop circuits to meet required performance levels (PLd/PLe).
Documentation, Testing & Quality
- Create and maintain schematics and BOMs, process ECNs, and update redlines to reflect as-built configurations.
- Write purchase specifications for electrical materials and maintain technical notes and engineering records.
- Lead or contribute to Design FMEAs (DFMEA) for vehicle and panel electrical systems, and track mitigation actions to closure.
- Develop electrical test methods and support vehicle validation, FAT/SAT, and field troubleshooting of deployed fleets.
Managing External Engineering Contractors
- Define scope, requirements, and deliverables for external engineering contractors; help prepare SOWs and evaluate proposals and quotes.
- Onboard contractors to JBT Marel design standards, CAD templates, part libraries, and Windchill/ECN processes.
- Coordinate contractor priorities and schedules, and review deliverables (schematics, harnesses, BOMs, panel layouts, code) for accuracy and standards compliance before release.
- Protect design data and IP, and provide contractor performance feedback to engineering management.
Collaboration
- Work independently with limited direction as a fully contributing member of multidisciplinary project teams on projects of increasing complexity.
- Translate complex vehicle and automation requirements into practical designs with strong attention to detail. Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Education & Credentials
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or Robotics Engineering.
Required Experience
- 5+ years of experience reading and designing automation control panels and electrical harnesses using AutoCAD, preferably for mobile vehicles or mobile equipment.
- Working knowledge of DC vehicle power systems, batteries, and motor drives.
Technical Skills & Software
- AutoCAD proficiency: Strong command of AutoCAD Electrical or standard AutoCAD for schematics, panel layouts, and 2D/3D wire harness routing documentation.
- Complementary tools: Harness design packages, Creo Electrical, and Windchill.
- DFMEA: Hands-on experience applying Design FMEA to electrical systems and harnesses.
- Harness architecture: Deep understanding of connectors, terminals, wire gauges, shielding, conduits, and mechanical protection components.
- Robotics & mechatronics: Understanding of automated industrial equipment control systems and control architecture (primarily low-voltage DC), servo/actuator power distribution, sensor integration, and panel-to-actuator cable management to prevent wear during dynamic motion. Mobile equipment experience is a plus.
Preferred
- Electrical design experience on AGVs, AMRs, forklifts, or other mobile industrial vehicles.
- Experience with safety-rated control design to ISO 13849 and CAN tools (e.g., Vector CANalyzer, PCAN).
- Knowledge of lithium-ion battery, BMS, and charger design, and RF network infrastructure.
- Experience managing external engineering contractors, including SOWs and deliverable reviews.
Work Environment & Physical Requirements
This role operates in office, manufacturing, and customer facility environments, including work in and around electrical equipment, industrial automation, and operating autonomous vehicles. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals to perform the essential functions of the position.
Travel & Location
- This position is hybrid. We ask that you travel approximately 15% of the time, including customer site visits for AGV commissioning and support.
Why Work at JBT Marel?
- We are committed to our employees and will provide you with development and opportunities to allow you to be the best version of yourself at work, at home, and in your community.
- We foster a genuine inclusive team culture enjoying collaborative working across our global teams to deliver world-class projects.
- We encourage development - ensuring new experiences and challenges at JBT Marel to feed your growth!
- Benefits: JBT Marel offers benefits on day 1 of your employment. Including: Medical, Dental, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, family leave, vision coverage, and a matched 401(k) plan.
Commitment to Diversity: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging is a fundamental value to JBT Marel and critical to our future success. A thoughtful, focused, and sustained effort to work towards our DEIB goals is not just a principled choice, but also a business imperative.
Use of Technology in Our Hiring Process
JBT Marel uses technology-assisted tools, including artificial intelligence (AI), to support the review of applications. These tools help our recruiting teams identify skills and experience relevant to the role based on job-related criteria. All applications are reviewed by people, and AI is not used to make hiring decisions independently. We are committed to fair, consistent and inclusive hiring practices globally.
Equal Opportunity Employment:
JBT Marel provides equal employment opportunity to all employees and qualified applicants for employment. We will not tolerate any form of discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. At JBT Marel, we apply this policy to all our employment practices, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, benefits, and training. We make hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit and business needs at the time. JBT Marel will reasonably accommodate applicants who need adjustments to participate in the application or interview process. If you require assistance or accommodation during the application process, please contact JBT Marel at 844-286-4524.
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