📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Electrical Control Panel Designer
Company: LAPORTE L.C.C.
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
Job Type: Hybrid
Category: Electrical Engineering
Date Posted: 2025-07-28
Experience Level: 5-10 years
Remote Status: Hybrid (Minimal travel - 0-5%)

🚀 Role Summary

Design and develop comprehensive electrical control panel designs using AutoCAD for automation systems in the food and beverage sector.
Collaborate with engineers, panel shops, and project managers to ensure high-quality, UL508A-compliant solutions.
Contribute to LAPORTE's mission of providing professional growth opportunities in a supportive work environment that values work-life balance.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong understanding of electrical theory, power distribution, and industrial automation to create accurate and efficient control panel designs.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

Design and Development: Develop control panel and motor control panel designs using AutoCAD, creating detailed electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and layout drawings.
Documentation: Generate accurate bills of materials (BOMs) for control panel components and create field wiring diagrams, including conduit sizes, wire sizes, and cable schedules.
Calculation and Selection: Perform engineering calculations for power requirements, voltage drop, and circuit sizing. Select appropriate components for AC/DC circuits, motor circuits, VFDs, PLCs, and industrial networks.
Compliance and Safety: Design panels for hazardous (Class I Div 2) locations in compliance with industry standards and adhere to electrical safety standards (NEC, NFPA, UL).
Support and Review: Provide technical support to the control panel shop during assembly and wiring, and review designs for compliance, accuracy, and constructability.
Estimation and Pricing: Estimate control panel pricing based on design scope and component selection.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a high level of attention to detail, with a focus on design accuracy and constructability to ensure efficient and reliable control panel solutions.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Associate’s degree in Electrical Engineering Technology or related field. Industry experience is acceptable in lieu of post-secondary education.

Experience: A minimum of 5 years of experience in electrical design using AutoCAD with a focus on UL508A-compliant control panels.

Required Skills:

Strong understanding of electrical theory, power distribution, industrial automation, and control systems.
Proficiency with AutoCAD.
Familiarity with NEC, NFPA 70, NFPA 79, and UL508A.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office products (Excel, Word, Outlook).
Excellent attention to detail and strong communication, organization, and collaboration skills in a remote environment.

Preferred Skills:

Experience in food and beverage, CPG, oil and gas, or heavy industry environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates with experience in related industries and a strong understanding of electrical theory will be well-suited to this role, as they will be able to quickly adapt to the specific requirements of the food and beverage sector.

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements (N/A - Not Applicable for this Role)

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $70,000 - $90,000 per year (Estimated based on industry standards for Electrical Control Panel Designers with 5-10 years of experience in Raleigh, North Carolina)

Benefits:

Competitive Salary
Compensatory PTO
Comprehensive Benefits
Supportive Work Environment
Professional Growth Opportunities

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with minimal travel (0-5%) anticipated for this position.

📝 Enhancement Note: The estimated salary range is based on industry standards for Electrical Control Panel Designers with the required experience level in Raleigh, North Carolina. Actual salary may vary based on individual qualifications and company-specific factors.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Process engineering and process automation, specializing in the food and beverage manufacturing sector.

Company Size: Medium-sized consulting engineering firm with 25 offices across North America and Europe, and over 500 employees.

Founded: Not specified in the provided job listing.

Team Structure:

Collaborative, remote work environment with engineers, panel shops, and project managers.
Supportive work environment that emphasizes professional growth and work-life balance.

Development Methodology:

Not specified in the provided job listing.

Company Website: laporteconsultants.com

📝 Enhancement Note: LAPORTE is a consulting engineering firm that values professional growth and a supportive work environment. This role offers an opportunity to work in a collaborative, remote setting with a focus on delivering high-quality, UL508A-compliant control panel solutions for the food and beverage manufacturing sector.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Electrical Control Panel Designer Career Level: This role is suitable for experienced Electrical Control Panel Designers with a minimum of 5 years of experience in electrical design using AutoCAD, focusing on UL508A-compliant control panels. The role offers opportunities for professional growth within LAPORTE's expanding team and across the U.S. East Coast.

Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the project manager or engineering team, collaborating with engineers, panel shops, and other stakeholders to deliver high-quality control panel solutions.

Technical Impact: Electrical Control Panel Designers in this role have a significant impact on the efficiency and reliability of automation systems in the food and beverage manufacturing sector. Their work ensures that control panels meet industry standards and electrical safety requirements, contributing to the overall success of LAPORTE's projects.

Growth Opportunities:

Opportunities for professional growth within LAPORTE's expanding team and across the U.S. East Coast.
Exposure to a variety of projects and industries, allowing for the development of a diverse skill set.
Supportive work environment that emphasizes professional growth and work-life balance.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers experienced Electrical Control Panel Designers the opportunity to grow professionally within LAPORTE's expanding team and across the U.S. East Coast. The role's focus on collaboration and technical support provides a strong foundation for career advancement in the electrical engineering field.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work environment with minimal travel (0-5%) anticipated for this position.

Office Location(s): Raleigh, North Carolina, United States

Workspace Context:

Collaborative, remote work environment with engineers, panel shops, and project managers.
Supportive work environment that emphasizes professional growth and work-life balance.

Work Schedule: 40 hours per week, with minimal travel (0-5%) anticipated for this position.

📝 Enhancement Note: This hybrid work environment offers Electrical Control Panel Designers the opportunity to collaborate with a diverse team of professionals while maintaining a flexible and supportive work-life balance.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

Initial phone or video screening to assess communication skills and technical background.
Technical interview focusing on electrical design experience, AutoCAD proficiency, and understanding of industry standards (NEC, NFPA, UL508A).
Review of portfolio or previous projects to evaluate design accuracy, constructability, and compliance with industry standards.
Final interview with the project manager or engineering team to discuss career goals, work-life balance, and fit within the LAPORTE team.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Highlight previous control panel design projects, demonstrating a strong understanding of electrical theory, power distribution, and industrial automation.
Showcase proficiency in AutoCAD and familiarity with industry standards (NEC, NFPA, UL508A).
Emphasize attention to detail, design accuracy, and constructability in previous projects.

Technical Challenge Preparation:

Brush up on electrical theory, power distribution, and industrial automation concepts.
Review industry standards (NEC, NFPA, UL508A) and ensure familiarity with their requirements.
Prepare examples of previous control panel design projects, demonstrating a strong understanding of the design process and attention to detail.

ATS Keywords: (Not Applicable for this Role - Focus on Electrical Engineering Keywords)

📝 Enhancement Note: The application and interview process for this role will focus on assessing the candidate's technical skills, attention to detail, and understanding of industry standards. A strong portfolio of previous control panel design projects will be essential for success in this role.

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure (N/A - Not Applicable for this Role)

👥 Team Culture & Values

Electrical Engineering Values:

Accuracy and constructability in control panel designs.
Strong understanding of electrical theory, power distribution, and industrial automation.
Compliance with industry standards (NEC, NFPA, UL508A) and electrical safety requirements.
Collaborative approach to problem-solving and technical support.
Commitment to professional growth and continuous learning.

Collaboration Style:

Collaborative, remote work environment with engineers, panel shops, and project managers.
Supportive work environment that emphasizes professional growth and work-life balance.
Open communication and regular check-ins to ensure project progress and team success.

📝 Enhancement Note: LAPORTE's team culture values accuracy, collaboration, and continuous learning in electrical engineering. This role offers Electrical Control Panel Designers the opportunity to work in a supportive and collaborative environment, focusing on delivering high-quality control panel solutions for the food and beverage manufacturing sector.

🛠️ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Technical Challenges:

Designing control panels for hazardous (Class I Div 2) locations in compliance with industry standards.
Ensuring design accuracy, constructability, and compliance with industry standards (NEC, NFPA, UL508A).
Minimizing travel (0-5%) while maintaining effective collaboration with engineers, panel shops, and project managers.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Exposure to a variety of projects and industries, allowing for the development of a diverse skill set.
Opportunities for professional growth within LAPORTE's expanding team and across the U.S. East Coast.
Supportive work environment that emphasizes professional growth and work-life balance.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers experienced Electrical Control Panel Designers the opportunity to tackle technical challenges in a collaborative and supportive work environment. The role's focus on accuracy, collaboration, and continuous learning provides a strong foundation for career advancement in the electrical engineering field.

💡 Interview Preparation

Technical Questions:

Can you walk us through your process for designing a control panel, from initial project specifications to final assembly and testing?
How do you ensure that your control panel designs comply with industry standards (NEC, NFPA, UL508A) and electrical safety requirements?
Can you describe a challenging control panel design project you've worked on in the past, and how you overcame any obstacles you faced?
How do you approach selecting appropriate components for AC/DC circuits, motor circuits, VFDs, PLCs, and industrial networks in your control panel designs?

Company & Culture Questions:

Why are you interested in joining LAPORTE's team as an Electrical Control Panel Designer?
How do you approach maintaining a healthy work-life balance in a hybrid work environment?
What do you hope to achieve professionally in the next 5 years, and how can this role at LAPORTE help you get there?

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Highlight previous control panel design projects that demonstrate a strong understanding of electrical theory, power distribution, and industrial automation.
Showcase proficiency in AutoCAD and familiarity with industry standards (NEC, NFPA, UL508A).
Emphasize attention to detail, design accuracy, and constructability in previous projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for this role will focus on assessing the candidate's technical skills, attention to detail, and understanding of industry standards. A strong portfolio of previous control panel design projects will be essential for success in this role. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their design process, compliance with industry standards, and any technical challenges they have faced in the past.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Electrical Control Panel Designer position:

Submit your application through the application link provided in the job listing.
Tailor your resume to highlight your electrical design experience, proficiency in AutoCAD, and familiarity with industry standards (NEC, NFPA, UL508A).
Prepare a portfolio of previous control panel design projects, demonstrating a strong understanding of electrical theory, power distribution, and industrial automation.
Research LAPORTE's company culture and values, and be prepared to discuss how your skills and experience align with the role's requirements.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions for Electrical Control Panel Designers. All details should be verified directly with LAPORTE before making application decisions.

Electrical Control Panel Designer