Lead R&D Engineer - Medium Voltage

Industrial Electric Mfg. (IEM) is the largest independent full-line manufacturer of custom power distribution systems in North America. The Lead R&D Engineer is responsible for managing group engineers and leading the design and validation of new medium voltage power distribution products, ensuring design accuracy and compliance with industry standards while optimizing performance and manufacturability.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the design, analysis, and validation of new medium voltage power distribution products, including metal clad and metal enclosed switchgear, and related components
• Responsible for managing and mentoring engineers and designers, providing career guidance, constructive feedback, tracking project timelines, and ensuring quality and efficiency in deliverables
• Working closely with the Engineering Manager to identify issues quickly and ensure they are addressed in an appropriate and timely manner
• Driving group on time performance while minimizing design errors for NPI project deliverables
• Leading the development of mechanical designs to meet NPI project-specific requirements
• Conducting peer reviews and providing constructive feedback to team engineers to improve design quality and ensure alignment with project goals
• Mentoring and supervising group engineers and designers to foster team growth and ensure efficient workflow in a collaborative environment
• Ensure NPI projects comply with customer specifications, industry standards, manufacturability, and internal quality benchmarks
• Track project metrics such as TTM, design errors, and revision cycles to areas for improvement with the engineering manager
• Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within the team
• Provide guidance and mentorship to team members, promoting professional growth
• Resolve team conflicts to maintain a productive working environment
• Assist in training team members in best practices for 3D SolidWorks modeling, 2D AutoCAD drafting, and compliance with design standards
• Provide constructive feedback during peer reviews to improve the team's technical output
• Facilitate communication between design and manufacturing teams to align processes
• Establish a feedback loop with manufacturing engineers to optimize designs for manufacturability and to adjust design standards
• Act as a point of contact for technical inquiries for the operations team
• Facilitate communication and collaboration across multiple engineering and manufacturing sites to align expectations and processes

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or a related field
• 10+ years of experience in R&D, product development, or a related field within the power distribution industry
• Demonstrated track record of leading successful engineering projects and developing new technologies
• Experience in medium voltage power distribution systems, including electrical, thermal, and mechanical considerations
• Experience in leadership and mentoring and fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement
• Ability to manage multiple projects and prioritize tasks effectively in a fast-paced environment
• Strong attention to detail, analytical thinking, and problem-solving abilities
• Proficiency with SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or similar
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to collaborate across teams
• MSME is preferred
• Experience working in a design-to-order or custom engineering environment is strongly preferred
• Familiarity with low voltage switchgear, panelboards, utility systems, or the power industry is preferred
• Proficiency in sheet metal design, including manufacturability and cost optimization
• CFD (Computer Fluid Dynamics) or Finite Element Analysis (FEA) experience is a plus
• Knowledge of IEEE/ANSI C37.20.2, C37.04, C37.06, C37.09; CSA C22.2 No. 31-M89; EEMAC G8-3.2 design guidelines and NFPA70E are desirable