Electrical Design Specialist
Listing checked August 30, 2026 · pay as published by Mercor
Overview
Mercor is sourcing Electrical Design Specialists for a short-term engagement with a major technology organization. The work centers on hands-on electrical design analysis, system-level problem solving, and expert evaluation across industrial, energy, and infrastructure applications. You will interpret schematics, run power system calculations, and validate designs against engineering standards. This role rewards practical field experience more than academic theory alone. Expect to work with tools like AutoCAD Electrical, ETAP, and SKM Power Tools.
What You'll Do6
- 1Create and assess electrical designs from technical requirements, specs, and performance targets.
- 2Design and check electrical systems, circuits, and components such as distribution networks, control panels, switchgear, and motor control setups.
- 3Read and analyze schematics, single-line drawings, wiring diagrams, layout documents, and equipment specifications.
- 4Run calculations for load flow, voltage drop, short-circuit current, protection coordination, and equipment sizing.
- 5Weigh design alternatives, engineering trade-offs, and system performance to flag flaws or improvement areas.
- 6Cross-check designs, calculations, assumptions, and technical approaches against project specs and engineering codes.
Requirements11
- 1Hands-on experience as an Electrical Design Engineer, Electrical Engineer, or Electrical Design Specialist.
- 2Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in Electrical Engineering or a related field.
- 3Solid grasp of electrical system design, power systems, and core engineering principles.
- 4Proven experience designing or evaluating electrical systems in industrial plants, infrastructure, manufacturing, energy, renewables, building services, or energy storage.
- 5Working knowledge of low- and medium-voltage systems, electrical protection, equipment sizing, and power distribution.
- 6Familiarity with design tools like AutoCAD Electrical, ETAP, SKM Power Tools, EPLAN, Revit, or equivalents.
- 7Experience with power system studies, including load flow, short-circuit analysis, and protection coordination.
- 8Background in specifying transformers, switchgear, cables, motors, and protection equipment.
- 9Exposure to industrial automation, instrumentation, or control systems.
- 10Understanding of relevant codes and standards such as IEC, IEEE, NEC, or equivalents.
- 11Ability to review vendor drawings, datasheets, technical submittals, and engineering designs.
Who Should Apply
The ideal candidate has spent years applying electrical engineering principles to real-world systems, not just in academic settings. You should be comfortable owning design calculations and defending your technical decisions in front of experienced engineers. This role is less suitable for recent graduates or professionals with only theoretical knowledge and no direct design or evaluation experience. Common rejection reasons include lacking hands-on exposure to low/medium-voltage systems and being unable to demonstrate practical use of power system analysis tools in past projects.
Salary Insight
The pay rate is $70.00 to $85.00 per hour, consistent with senior-level contract electrical design work. Rates in this band usually match engineers with several years of direct industry experience and a track record of independent design reviews.
Pay and demand for Sales Engineering & Solutions Consulting roles
AggregatedTypical pay
$80/hour
This role
$70–$85/hr
Most Sales Engineering & Solutions Consulting roles pay $60–$100 per hour. This role's pay falls inside that range.
Based on 230 similar roles that publish pay · 37 publish only a top rate; those count at the rate they gave
Rates shown per hour. Yearly and monthly pay converted; one-time fees and non-USD pay are not included.
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Most requested skills · share of roles
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- mechanical engineering9%
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Compensation
$70–85/hr
Required Skills
Application Tip
In your application, name the specific power system studies you have run professionally and list the exact tools you used, like ETAP or SKM Power Tools. Quantify one example, such as a facility's voltage level or the scale of a distribution system you designed or evaluated.
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