Job Description
Title: Director of Engineering
Location: Richmond, VA (Relocation Packages available for qualified candidates)
Compensation: $180,000-$200,000/year + 20% Bonus + Company Stock
Overview
We are seeking a hands-on, technically strong Director of Engineering to lead our Electrical and Mechanical Design teams focused on the development of low-voltage power distribution equipment (PDU) and switchgear systems for commercial and industrial applications.
This role will oversee a team of engineering leaders and drive the design, development, and delivery of innovative, cost-effective products from concept through production. The ideal candidate is a subject matter expert in low-voltage switchgear or power distribution systems and brings a balanced leadership style with the ability to stay close to the technical work.
This position is open due to an internal promotion and represents a key leadership opportunity within the organization. Relocation assistance is available for qualified candidates.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage the Electrical and Mechanical Design Engineering functions, including 4 direct reports (2 Electrical Engineering Managers and 2 Mechanical Engineering Managers)
- Provide strategic direction and technical leadership for the design and development of low-voltage PDU and switchgear systems
- Remain hands-on in product design, architecture, and problem-solving, serving as a technical resource and mentor to engineering teams
- Partner cross-functionally with Manufacturing, Operations, and Product Management to ensure alignment from concept through production
- Drive design for manufacturability (DFM), cost optimization, and product scalability across all programs
- Establish and execute engineering objectives, roadmaps, and performance metrics aligned with business goals
- Lead design reviews and ensure projects meet timeline, cost, and quality targets
- Oversee the development, validation, and implementation of new products, including prototyping and production release
- Continuously improve engineering processes, tools, and systems (CAD, PDM, PLM) to enhance efficiency and output quality
- Build, develop, and retain a high-performing engineering organization, including succession planning and talent development
- Manage departmental budgets, resource allocation, and project prioritization
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field (Master’s or MBA preferred)
- 10+ years of experience in engineering, with significant leadership experience managing design engineering teams
- Strong expertise in low-voltage switchgear, power distribution units (PDU), or similar electrical infrastructure products
- Background can be in either electrical or mechanical design, with demonstrated success leading multidisciplinary teams
- Proven ability to lead engineering teams through full product lifecycle (concept through production)
- Hands-on experience with product design and development in a manufacturing environment
- Strong understanding of design for manufacturability (DFM), cost reduction, and production processes
- Experience with CAD tools (e.g., Autodesk) and product data management systems (PDM/PLM)
- Excellent leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills
What We Offer
- Competitive compensation and performance-based incentives
- Relocation assistance for qualified candidates
- Competitive stock package, RSU
- Unlimited PTO plan
- 401k Matching
- Great benefits, including Blue Cross Blue Shield coverage at good premiums.
- Growth Opportunities - former Director of Engineering promoted to the Global Team.
Numbers & Facts
| Location | Henrico, VA |
| Industry | Staffing/Employment Agencies |
| Company Size | 500 to 999 employees |
| Year Founded | 1969 |
| Website | http://www.sterling-engineering.com |
About Company
Sterling Engineering has been a trusted partner for engineering, project management, and staffing solutions for over five decades. We provide exceptional engineering/technical recruitment and engineering project services to clients nationwide:
- Engineering & Technical Recruitment - With our focus on engineering, technical, and IT, Sterling has the in-depth knowledge, industry expertise, and robust employee pipeline it takes to rapidly find talent for even the most difficult to fill positions. Sterling’s extensive recruitment methodology allows us to engage the most talented employees in the marketplace. We offer exciting work and career-building opportunities for our candidates, along with expert support at every step of the process.
- Engineering Project Services – Our experienced, multi-disciplined team of project managers, engineers, and designers, led by licensed Professional Engineers (PE), provide project management, engineering, design, and Commissioning, Qualification, and Validation (CQV) to manufacturing, OEM, and R&D customers. We work on complex, highly technical projects across a number of industry sectors, and our ability to scale and seamlessly integrate at multiple levels of your organization is what differentiates us.
Sterling offers a unique combination of engineering solutions and Best of Staffing level service to help our clients and talent achieve their goals.
Skills
- Architectural Designunmatched
- Budget Managementunmatched
- Business Administrationunmatched
- CAD PDM (Product Data Management)unmatched
- CAD/CAM (Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing)unmatched
- Communication Skillsunmatched
- Continuous Improvementunmatched
- Cost Controlunmatched
- Cross-Functionalunmatched
- Electrical Designunmatched
- Electrical Engineeringunmatched
- Electricityunmatched
- Engineering Managementunmatched
- Establish Prioritiesunmatched
- Leadershipunmatched
- Low Powerunmatched
- Low Voltage (LV)unmatched
- Manufacturingunmatched
- Manufacturing Designunmatched
- Manufacturing Operationsunmatched
- Mechanical Designunmatched
- Mechanical Engineeringunmatched
- Mentoringunmatched
- Operations Managementunmatched
- Performance Metricsunmatched
- Problem Solving Skillsunmatched
- Process Improvementunmatched
- Product Costingunmatched
- Product Data Management (PDM)unmatched
- Product Designunmatched
- Product Engineeringunmatched
- Product Lifecycleunmatched
- Product Lifecycle Managementunmatched
- Product Managementunmatched
- Production Costingunmatched
- Prototypingunmatched
- Resource Managementunmatched
- Strategic Planningunmatched
- Succession Planningunmatched
- Switchgearunmatched
- Talent Managementunmatched
- Team Lead/Managerunmatched
- Team Playerunmatched
- Technical Leadershipunmatched
- Technical/Engineering Designunmatched
- Time Managementunmatched
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