Mission-Driven. Honor-Bound. Fairbanks Morse Defense. What’s your calling? For the men and women of Fairbanks Morse Defense it’s the rapid and effective support of the fleets that entrust us to design, develop, and deliver the best naval power technology on the planet. We’re one of the nation’s leading marine defense contractors because of the highly trained and dedicated teams that provide reliable power systems, parts, and aftermarket services to the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, Military Sealift Command, and Canadian Coast Guard. When you join Fairbanks Morse Defense, you join a legacy of commitment that spans 150 years. Fairbanks Morse Defense offers competitive benefits with a wide range of training and development opportunities. Our world-class teams are dedicated to helping every individual achieve their full potential. Discover what it’s like to be a part of the Fairbanks Morse Defense team here: https://www.fairbanksmorsedefense.com/careers
Electrical Designer
Fairbanks Morse Defense Handling | Naval Defense Organization
Location: Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
Design the Future of Naval Defense Systems
At Fairbanks Morse Defense, you won't simply be designing electrical systems—you'll help engineer advanced naval handling technologies trusted by the Royal Canadian Navy, U.S. Navy, Royal Navy (UK), Royal Australian Navy, and allied defense partners around the world.
Our Peterborough facility, formerly Rolls-Royce's Global Centre of Excellence for Naval Handling Systems, is now the Canadian headquarters for Fairbanks Morse Defense Handling's Naval Systems business. Following the acquisition, the facility continues its long-standing tradition of engineering excellence by designing and manufacturing highly specialized equipment used aboard some of the world's most advanced naval vessels.
As an Electrical Designer, you'll play an integral role in developing electrical systems that power mission-critical naval handling equipment—from concept and detailed design through testing, validation, and commissioning. Your work will directly support innovative technologies including launch and recovery systems for autonomous underwater vehicles, mission bay handling equipment, sonar handling systems, shock-hardened winches, and other sophisticated naval equipment relied upon by defense forces across the globe.
This is an opportunity to work alongside talented engineers in a collaborative environment where innovation, problem-solving, and technical excellence are valued. We are looking for someone who enjoys taking ownership of their work, thrives in a collaborative team environment, and is motivated to continuously learn and grow.
If you are a self-starter who doesn't require constant direction, demonstrates initiative, brings a positive attitude every day, and possesses strong leadership qualities, you will be highly successful in this role. We value professionals who take ownership of their work, proactively solve problems, and are eager to make a meaningful contribution to our engineering team and the future of naval defense.
What You Will Do
As an Electrical Designer, you will support the development and implementation of electrical systems used in advanced Naval Handling Equipment applications throughout the entire engineering lifecycle.
Key Responsibilities
- Analyze and translate high-level system requirements, customer specifications, and applicable standards into detailed electrical design requirements.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams to understand system functionality, component performance, and integration requirements.
- Develop and implement electrical designs that meet technical requirements, including considerations for system functionality, reliability, and testability.
- Analyze electrical designs for functional performance, including modeling and simulation activities when required to demonstrate compliance with system requirements.
- Develop, review, and support electrical testing procedures to verify that design requirements have been successfully achieved.
- Analyze verification test results, prepare technical reports, and maintain engineering documentation.
- Coordinate and support testing activities with third-party testing facilities.
- Support system-level testing, troubleshooting, validation, and commissioning activities at company facilities and customer field locations.
- Provide technical support throughout the product lifecycle, including design improvements and field implementation.
Why Join Fairbanks Morse Defense?
At Fairbanks Morse Defense Handling, your work contributes directly to technology supporting naval defense programs and mission-critical operations.
This opportunity provides:
- The opportunity to work on complex, large-scale naval equipment programs supporting allied defense forces around the world.
- Exposure to the complete engineering lifecycle—from concept development and design through manufacturing, testing, commissioning, and field deployment.
- Collaboration with experienced engineers and technical professionals in a highly respected engineering organization.
- Opportunities to expand your expertise in electrical systems, controls, testing, systems integration, and defense applications.
- A hands-on engineering environment where your contributions directly impact the success of critical naval programs.
- The opportunity to build your career with a company recognized for engineering excellence and innovation.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from a recognized institution.
- Must be eligible to obtain a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) license through Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO).
- 2–3 years of professional work experience, preferably within the electrical engineering field.
- Strong English communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
- Must be a Canadian Citizen or permanent resident of Canada for greater than five (5) years.
- Must successfully pass Canadian Controlled Goods and Reliability Security Clearance Checks.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working with large-scale industrial equipment, complex electrical systems, or engineered products.
- Experience supporting electrical testing, troubleshooting, commissioning, or field implementation activities.
- Familiarity with industrial control systems, including PLC and HMI applications, is considered an asset.
- Ability and willingness to travel occasionally to support product commissioning, testing, and field activities.
Build Your Career Supporting Naval Defense Innovation
If you are an Electrical Designer or Electrical Engineer looking for an opportunity where your technical expertise contributes to real-world defense applications, we encourage you to apply.
Join a team where engineering excellence, innovation, and collaboration support the development of systems that matter. If you're ready to take ownership of your work, solve complex engineering challenges, and contribute to technology that protects those who serve, we'd love to hear from you.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Fairbanks Morse Defense Handling is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We recruit, hire, train, and promote employees in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, Indigenous status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Fairbanks Morse Defense Handling is committed to meeting the needs of persons with disabilities under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) Standards. Accommodation will be provided throughout the recruitment process at the request of the applicant.
Fairbanks Morse Defense offers a competitive benefits package including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurances, and 401k retirement plan with employer match. In addition, we offer paid time off, paid holidays, paid parental leave, and tuition reimbursement.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled
