Electrical Engineering Manager

TECHSTAFF of AZ; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 140,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

TECHSTAFF of AZ seeks an experienced Electrical Engineering Manager to guide hardware architecture from concept to production for automotive illumination systems.

You will own PCB design, microcontroller selection, embedded firmware strategy, and power management, setting the standard for high-efficiency, durable electronics in a nimble team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) with 5+ years in automotive or electro-mechanical product design.
• Proven proficiency in multi-layer PCB layout, component selection, schematics, and signal/power integrity.
• Deep understanding of microcontroller architectures (ARM, PIC, STM, etc.) and embedded firmware development fundamentals.
• Strong experience interpreting, writing, and validating engineering specifications for OEM clients.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end hardware design from concept to production for automotive illumination systems.
• Develop robust power electronics and thermal/mechanical packaging for harsh environments.
• Collaborate with mechanical, manufacturing, and quality teams to scale prototypes to production.
• Define and enforce OEM technical specs and ensure EMI/EMC compliance.

Skills

PCB layout

Schematic design

Signal integrity

Power electronics

Thermal management

Embedded firmware

CAN bus

Microcontroller architectures

OEM specification

DFM/DFX

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE)

Tools

Altium Designer

OrCAD

EDA tools

Job description

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa.

The Role

We are seeking a visionary Electrical Engineering Manager to lead our electrical design efforts from concept to commercialization. In this role, you will hold the keys to our hardware architecture—driving innovation across PCB design, microcontroller selection, embedded firmware strategy, and power management.

You won't just be managing spreadsheets; you will be the technical authority setting the standard for what’s possible in automotive illumination. If you thrive in a nimble environment, love analyzing emerging components, and naturally find yourself dissecting off-road rigs or vehicle wiring setups in your spare time, you’ll fit right in.

Key Responsibilities

Electro-Mechanical & Hardware Development

• PCB Design: Lead the end-to-end design, layout, and optimization of high-efficiency PCB assemblies tailored for high-output LED applications.
• Thermal & Mechanical Packaging: Solve complex thermal, mechanical, and electrical packaging constraints in harsh automotive environments.
• Power Electronics: Architect robust power electronics, driver circuits, and voltage regulation systems prioritizing maximum electrical efficiency and long-term durability.

Embedded Systems & Tech Innovation

• Embedded Software Strategy: Oversee embedded software/firmware design for microcontroller-driven lighting systems, including dynamic lighting sequences, CAN bus communication, and smart power management.
• Emerging Technology Radar: Continuously scout and evaluate emerging LED technologies, silicon, materials, and manufacturing techniques to ensure our product line leads the market.
• Envelope-Pushing Design: Drive creative, 'out-of-the-box' engineering solutions that challenge conventional lighting limitations.

OEM Execution & Engineering Leadership

• OEM Technical Specs: Author, review, and negotiate detailed technical specifications, DFM reviews, and compliance documentation for OEM customers.
• Automotive Compliance: Ensure designs conform to strict automotive standards (EMC/EMI, thermal shock, vibration, ingress protection, and SAE/DOT requirements).
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work hand-in-hand with internal mechanical, manufacturing, and quality teams to bring products smoothly from bench prototypes to production runs.

Qualifications & Skill Set

Must-Haves

• Education & Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) or related field with 5+ years of hands-on experience in automotive or electro-mechanical product design.
• PCB & Hardware Expertise: Proven proficiency in multi-layer PCB layout, component selection, schematics, and signal/power integrity.
• Embedded Control: Deep understanding of microcontroller architecture (ARM, PIC, STM, etc.) and embedded firmware development fundamentals.
• OEM Spec Mastery: Strong experience interpreting, writing, and validating engineering specifications for OEM clients.
• Thermal & Power Efficiency: Advanced understanding of thermal dissipation strategies, driver topology, and efficiency optimization for high-density electronics.

Preferred / Bonus Points

• Off-Road & Automotive Passion: Active involvement in the automotive or off-road community (overlanding, rock crawling, motorsports) is a huge plus—you understand the real-world conditions our gear faces.
• Thermal Modeling: Experience running thermal simulations (CFD) for LED arrays and heat sinks.
• Testing & Compliance: Background managing EMC/EMI mitigation and chamber testing.