Electrical Engineering Manager

The Electrical Engineering Manager is responsible for leading a high-performing engineering team in a custom manufacturing environment. This role is a transformational leadership position focused on transitioning the department from a "bespoke" project mindset to a modular, library-driven "Configure-to-Order" architecture. The manager will balance hands-on technical guidance with strategic process development to drive down engineering hours while ensuring the highest standards of safety and reliability for vacuum melting furnaces.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

/ Providing electrical engineering recommendations and technical support on electrical engineering reviews, strategic plans, and projects.

/ Assisting with allocation, budgeting, resource planning, and scheduling.

/ Managing unit and development cost estimations and helps determine affordable and reliable material sources.

/ Creating production, quality validation, and evaluation requirements and tests and troubleshoots production dilemmas.

/ Establishing technical standards in reviews, documentation, and designs.

/ Establishing framework for programming efforts to streamline future product development and code reuse to increase efficiency in the department.

/ Interfacing with outside resources during times of heavy workload to alleviate stress on the department and meet customer timelines.

/ Interfacing with sales, project management, mechanical, design and systems engineering to make sure projects are staying on target.

/ Establishing and enforcing rigorous version control protocols to ensure a "single source of truth" for all furnace software.

/ Developing and maintaining Electrical Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and design checklists to ensure consistency across different engineering teams.

/ Shifting the team’s focus from "one-off" engineering to "configure-to-order" (CTO) modules that can be reused across furnaces lines.

/ Understanding of IEC 61131-3 standards and how to apply object-oriented programming (OOP) concepts to industrial automation.

/ Establishing and tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) for the department, specifically focusing on the reduction of Non-Recurring Engineering (NRE) hours per project through the successful implementation of reusable code libraries.

/ Overseeing the development of simulation environments to perform virtual commissioning, minimizing time spent on the manufacturing floor.

/ Leading the creation and curation of "Gold Seed" master templates and standardized PLC/HMI code libraries (AOIs, Function Blocks).

/ Managing electrical engineering and design staff members.

/ Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 20%.

/ Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

/ Demonstrated ability to lead technical teams through process transitions and "buy-in" phases for new standards.

/ Experience in the design and specification of high-current power distribution systems, including transformer sizing, busbar design, and thermal management within electrical enclosures.

/ Ability to specify and size motors, drives, circuit protective devices, wire, and power supplies.

/ Familiarity with process control instrumentation used in the measurement of vacuum, pressure, temperature, and flow.

/ Familiarity with PI and PID closed loop controls.

/ Proficiency with PLC programming in Ladder Logic, Function Block and Structured Text language techniques.

/ Familiarity with common industrial networks and protocols such as EtherNet/IP, CIP and IO Link.

/ Familiarity with Wonderware (InTouch or System Platform) HMI software.

/ Ability to interpret and produce NFPA format electrical drawings.

(Solidworks Electrical or AutoCAD Electrical experience a plus)  

/ Adhere to the codes and principles of NFPA 79, UL508A and the NEC.

/ Familiarity with standard meters and test equipment.

Familiarity with PC application development (Visual Studio, .NET, C#) and legacy system support (VB6).

/ Strong working knowledge of Solidworks Electrical 2D, 3D, AutoCAD design software and Microsoft Office products.  

/ Working knowledge of Allen Bradley/Rockwell Automation Control System Hardware (PLC’s, switches, etc.).    

/ Ability to convey ideas, deviations, and methodologies to non-technical stakeholders.

Education and Experience:

/ Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering or related field.

/ Minimum 10 years of experience in EE Field.

/ Previous electrical engineering management experience a plus.

/ Experience designing PLC control systems architectures and networks, I/O module selections.

/ Extensive background with Rockwell Automation platforms; familiarity with Siemens and Ignition is a strong plus.

/ Experience with VFDs, Servo controls, and Electro-Hydraulic control techniques.

Personal Skills/Attributes required for the Position:

/ Self-starter with a proven ability to lead teams through process transitions and

/ technical "buy-in.

/ Excellent verbal and written communication skills for both internal and external customers.

/ Exceptional organization skills with attention to detail.

/ Ability to be proactive and manage time effectively to meet deadlines.

/ Detail-orientated with ability to respond quickly to a fast-moving and ever-changing environment.

/ Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.

/ Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

/ Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.       

Physical Demands:

/ Ability to willingness to travel both domestic and international for short or extended trips as needed.

/ The employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, bend, hear and talk.  

/ The employee is frequently required to use hands.  

/ The employee occasionally will be required to reach with hands or arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl.  

/ The employee must occasionally lift.

/ Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.