Engineering Director

Powell Electrical Systems, Inc., a global leader in innovative electrical power distribution solutions for industries including renewables, oil & gas, utilities, and heavy manufacturing, is seeking a dynamic Engineering Director to lead our engineering operations at our North Canton, Ohio facility. As a key member of the leadership team, you will oversee the design, development, and implementation of custom-engineered electrical systems, such as low- and medium-voltage switchgear, motor controls, and automation technologies. This role reports directly to the Plant Manager and plays a pivotal role in driving technical excellence, fostering innovation, and ensuring our products meet the highest standards of safety and reliability. Powell is committed to Powered by Safety® and values a collaborative, customer-focused culture where continuous improvement and a "can-do" attitude propel our success.

Essential Responsibilities

• Provides technical and engineering resource input to new business proposals/opportunities.
• Manages overall electrical and mechanical engineering commitments to meet critical customer deadlines.
• Ensure that proper records and other documentation are maintained.
• Electrical engineering subject matter expertise to assigned clients and advise other internal groups.
• Technical interface to customers during the execution phase of projects.
• Direct various project related design tests and analyzes and documents results.
• Recommends major changes in procedures or objectives.
• Administer and review engineering or related work provided by outside consultants. Determine if methods, procedures, and results developed by outside consultants are analytically sound.
• Leads engineering review of customer technical specifications and the translation of specifications into safe, high quality, compliant equipment/systems.
• Consult or negotiate with customers to finalize engineering project specifications.
• Present engineering plans and progress status updates to project stakeholders and financiers.
• Review and approve proposed engineering designs and subsequent product and process enhancements or changes.
• Maintains current knowledge of relevant technologies as assigned.
• Implement approved engineering budgets and monitor actual expenses to ensure they fall within budgets, analyzing out of budget expenses and ensuring they are offset in other areas of the project unless fully justified.
• Negotiate favorable terms with 3rd party engineering suppliers and monitor and manager supplier performance.
• Perform administrative and oversight functions in approving proposals, expenditure and enforcing policies.
• Establishing goals, objectives and priorities of engineering staff. Monitoring performance to those goals and providing feedback to the employee and management.
• Drive quality and accountability within the Engineering Department.
• Lead interface from Engineering Department with all other areas of the business.
• Lead engineering effort in the resolution of technical issues.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering.
• 15+ years of related engineering experience, including 5 years of relevant leadership experience directing a team of engineers.
• Knowledge of medium and low voltage power distribution equipment and associated controls/data acquisition systems.
• Knowledge of ANSI, IEEE, NEC and other industry applicable standards and codes.
• Knowledge of DC traction power equipment preferred.
• Knowledge of power system analysis and associated calculations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineering license
• Master’s Degree

Skills, Abilities & Other Requirements

• Familiarity with power system components and their application/specification.
• Must have excellent organization, supervisory, managerial and leadership skills to manage a team of engineers and technical staff.
• Familiarity with ISO policies and safety regulations.
• Must have excellent verbal and written communications skills as well as interpersonal skills.
• Must have proven multitasking skills and can work in fast-paced, high demand environment.
• Must have excellent analytical and computational skills.
• Be results driven.
• Must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrate commitment to continuous improvement.
• Familiarity with computer aided design tools including CAD.
• Ability to gather, analyze and summarize data in order to draw rational, fact-based conclusions.

Working Conditions

• Temperature controlled working environment. Some outside activities may be required.
• This position may travel out-of-town to attend training and meetings.
• Typical office environment: may experience minor discomfort from extensive use of a computer display and keyboard; travel between buildings on campus and between campuses.

Physical Requirements

• Maintaining body equilibrium and agility to prevent falling when walking, standing, crouching, ascending or descending stairs.
• Sitting, standing and walking for long periods of time.
• Typing, punching or applying pressure to an object with fingers and palm.

More Information

This job description outlines the essential functions of the job and does not contain a comprehensive list of all possible responsibilities, tasks, and duties.

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