Head of Product Engineering – Large Power Transformers

BeyondSOF; Austin, Northern (TX, KY); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Terminus is assembling a founding team in Austin to deliver automated large power transformers (100–500 MVA, 34.5–500 kV). You will lead electrical and mechanical design, set internal design standards, and drive scalable manufacturing workflows with a strong emphasis on digital twins and modeling tools.

As Head of Product Engineering, you will mentor the transformer design and product-engineering team, align with IEEE/IEC standards, and partner with utilities and vendors to accelerate deployment

Qualifications

• 10+ years experience in power transformer design/manufacturing.
• Deep understanding of core/winding design, insulation coordination, dielectric testing, loss optimization, and thermal management.
• Proficiency with transformer design software (EFACE, Flux, ANSYS Maxwell, COMSOL).
• Strong grasp of Design for Manufacturability (DfM) and automation familiarity.
• Bachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering (Power Systems); PhD or PE license preferred.
• U.S. citizenship or permanent residency required.

Responsibilities

• Product Design Leadership: Lead end-to-end electrical and mechanical design of LPTs (core, windings, tank, OLTC, bushings, cooling, insulation systems).
• Design for Manufacturability: Translate design requirements into scalable manufacturing workflows optimized for automation, repeatability, and quality.
• System Integration: Define and validate electrical, thermal, and mechanical performance parameters for ≥100 MVA, 34.5–500 kV transformers.
• Toolchain Development: Implement advanced modeling and simulation environments with Digital Infrastructure team (e.g., SolidWorks, COMSOL, ANSYS Maxwell, EMTP-RV).
• Compliance & Standards: Ensure adherence to IEEE, ANSI, IEC, DOE, and utility specifications; lead design qualification and type testing programs.
• Supplier & Utility Interface: Support technical engagement with utilities, EPCs, and component vendors (core steel, windings, insulation, bushings, OLTC, etc.).
• Team Building: Recruit, mentor, and grow the core transformer design and product-engineering team.

Skills

Power transformer design

DfM and automation

CAD/FEA software

Thermal management

Design standards knowledge

Education

Bachelors or Masters in Electrical Engineering (Power Systems)

PhD or PE license preferred

Tools

Transformer design software (EFACE, Flux, ANSYS Maxwell, COMSOL)

Job description

Head of Product Engineering – Large Power Transformers

• Austin, TX

The client is a defense-grade advanced manufacturer, automating heavy-industrial production for critical U.S. infrastructure. Our first facility will produce Large Power Transformers (≥100 MVA, 138 kV–500 kV class), delivering the precision, reliability, and speed required to strengthen and expand America’s grid. We are building the first automated LPT manufacturing platform in the United States uniting modern robotics and digital twin design to accelerate transformer production and deployment.

Job Description: The Head of Product Engineering will join the founding team to lead all design, materials, and manufacturability initiatives for Terminus’ transformer product line. This role will define the company’s technical DNA - translating decades of power-engineering know-how into modern, automated, and scalable production. This is a critical leadership role, necessary to architect Terminus’ first generation of 100–500 MVA power transformers, establish internal design standards, and integrate advanced design tools (CAD, FEA, digital twins) with manufacturing automation.

Key Responsibilities

• Product Design Leadership: Lead end-to-end electrical and mechanical design of LPTs (core, windings, tank, OLTC, bushings, cooling, insulation systems).
• Design for Manufacturability: Translate design requirements into scalable manufacturing workflows optimized for automation, repeatability, and quality.
• System Integration: Define and validate electrical, thermal, and mechanical performance parameters for ≥100 MVA, 34.5–500 kV transformers.
• Toolchain Development: Implement advanced modeling and simulation environments with Digital Infrastructure team (e.g., SolidWorks, COMSOL, ANSYS Maxwell, EMTP-RV).
• Compliance & Standards: Ensure adherence to IEEE, ANSI, IEC, DOE, and utility specifications; lead design qualification and type testing programs.
• Supplier & Utility Interface: Support technical engagement with utilities, EPCs, and component vendors (core steel, windings, insulation, bushings, OLTC, etc.).
• Team Building: Recruit, mentor, and grow the core transformer design and product-engineering team.

Desired Qualifications

• 10+ years experience in power transformer design/manufacturing, preferably at Siemens Energy, ABB/Hitachi Energy, GE Grid Solutions, WEG, or a major utility/EPC (Burns & McDonnell, Black & Veatch, etc.).
• Deep understanding of core/winding design, insulation coordination, dielectric testing, loss optimization, and thermal management.
• Proficiency with transformer design software (e.g., EFACE, Flux, ANSYS Maxwell, COMSOL, or in-house proprietary tools).
• Strong grasp of Design for Manufacturability (DfM) and familiarity with automated or semi-automated production methods.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Electrical Engineering (Power Systems focus); PhD or PE license preferred.
• U.S. citizenship or permanent residency (due to defense-grade program requirements)