Lead Electrical Engineer

Wood Pond Search Partners; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Wood Pond Search Partners is partnering with a growing manufacturer of custom electrical distribution equipment to hire a Lead Electrical Engineer. This role offers ownership of complex designs from concept through manufacturing, with day‑to‑day technical leadership over a team of engineers.

You will guide design decisions, review schematics, mentor staff, and collaborate with production to ensure manufacturability and timely delivery of power distribution equipment.

Qualifications

• Electrical engineering experience with a manufacturer of switchgear, switchboards or related power distribution equipment.
• Experience translating customer specifications into detailed, buildable designs.
• Strong working knowledge of electrical schematics, component selection, calculations and applicable industry standards.
• Ability to review others’ work, explain technical decisions and guide engineers through challenging problems.
• Proficiency with electrical CAD tools and controlled engineering documentation.
• A collaborative approach and willingness to work closely with the production floor.

Responsibilities

• Lead electrical design and calculations for custom switchgear, switchboards and power distribution equipment.
• Review drawings, schematics and engineering documentation for accuracy, completeness and manufacturability.
• Mentor engineers and help prioritize technical work to support project schedules.
• Partner with mechanical engineering, manufacturing and quality to resolve design and production issues.
• Support component selection, bills of material and engineering changes.
• Improve design practices and documentation, escalating complex or unfamiliar technical risks when needed.

Skills

Electrical engineering

Switchgear design

Schematic review

Mentoring

Customer specifications

Electrical CAD

Documentation control

Production floor collaboration

Tools

Electrical CAD tools

Job description

We’re partnering with a growing manufacturer of custom electrical distribution equipment to hire a Lead Electrical Engineer. With five locations nationwide, this company builds custom power solutions for customers with complex electrical requirements.

About the Role

This is an opportunity to take ownership of challenging designs, guide other engineers, and see your work move from concept to the manufacturing floor. Reporting to the Engineering Manager, you’ll provide day-to-day technical leadership while staying directly involved in electrical design and problem-solving.

Responsibilities

• Lead electrical design and calculations for custom switchgear, switchboards and power distribution equipment.
• Review drawings, schematics and engineering documentation for accuracy, completeness and manufacturability.
• Mentor engineers and help prioritize technical work to support project schedules.
• Partner with mechanical engineering, manufacturing and quality to resolve design and production issues.
• Support component selection, bills of material and engineering changes.
• Improve design practices and documentation, escalating complex or unfamiliar technical risks when needed.

Required Skills

• Electrical engineering experience with a manufacturer of switchgear, switchboards or related power distribution equipment.
• Experience translating customer specifications into detailed, buildable designs.
• Strong working knowledge of electrical schematics, component selection, calculations and applicable industry standards.
• Ability to review others’ work, explain technical decisions and guide engineers through challenging problems.
• Proficiency with electrical CAD tools and controlled engineering documentation.
• A collaborative approach and willingness to work closely with the production floor.

Why consider it?

You’ll have meaningful influence over design quality, team development and how custom equipment is built. It’s a strong opportunity for an experienced electrical engineer ready for broader technical ownership or an established lead who enjoys staying hands‑on.