Senior Engineering Manager

Sterling Engineering; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance for qualified?

Unlimited PTO

401(k) matching

Stock / RSU package

Job summary

Sterling Engineering in Richmond, VA seeks a Senior Engineering Manager to lead Electrical and Mechanical Design teams focused on low-voltage power distribution equipment, PDUs, and switchgear systems.

The role oversees engineering managers across Electrical and Mechanical Design, driving strategy, budgeting, and cross-functional execution with hands-on technical leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering.
• 10+ years engineering leadership with product design.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams across electrical/mechanical domains.

Responsibilities

• Lead Electrical and Mechanical Design Engineering functions with 4 direct reports.
• Provide technical leadership for low-voltage PDUs, switchgear, and related equipment.
• Engage in architecture, design reviews, and complex problem-solving.

Skills

Leadership

Electrical Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Power Distribution

Switchgear

Project Leadership

Mentoring

Cross-functional Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Master's degree or MBA preferred

Tools

Autodesk

CAD

PDM

PLM

Job description

Senior Engineering Manager – Power Distribution & Switchgear

Location: Richmond, VA – Relocation Assistance Available

Compensation: Up to $200,000 Base Salary + 15% Annual Bonus + Company Stock/RSUs

Overview

We are seeking a technically strong, hands-on Senior Engineering Manager to lead Electrical and Mechanical Design Engineering teams focused on the development of low-voltage power distribution equipment, PDUs, and switchgear systems for commercial and industrial applications.

This is a high-impact leadership position ideally suited for an accomplished Engineering Manager or Senior Engineering Manager who is ready to take the next step toward Director-level leadership. The successful candidate will provide technical and organizational leadership across multidisciplinary engineering teams while remaining close enough to the engineering work to provide technical direction, participate in design reviews, and help solve complex product-development challenges.

The role will oversee engineering managers across both Electrical and Mechanical Design and will have significant responsibility for engineering strategy, product development, team performance, resource planning, and cross-functional execution.

This position is open due to an internal promotion of the previous engineering leader to the global organization, creating strong visibility and advancement potential for the incoming leader.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the Electrical and Mechanical Design Engineering functions, including 4 direct reports: 2 Electrical Engineering Managers and 2 Mechanical Engineering Managers.

Provide technical leadership and strategic direction for the design and development of low-voltage PDUs, switchgear, and related power distribution equipment.

Remain actively engaged in product architecture, engineering decisions, design reviews, troubleshooting, and complex technical problem-solving.

Serve as a technical mentor and leadership resource for engineering managers and their teams.

Partner closely with Manufacturing, Operations, Product Management, Quality, and other stakeholders to drive products from concept through production.

Lead engineering design reviews and ensure programs achieve established cost, quality, performance, and schedule objectives.

Drive Design for Manufacturability (DFM), cost optimization, standardization, and product scalability across engineering programs.

Establish engineering objectives, priorities, roadmaps, and performance metrics aligned with broader business goals.

Oversee new product development, prototyping, validation, design transfer, and production release activities.

Improve engineering processes, tools, and systems, including CAD, PDM, and PLM environments.

Manage engineering resources and project priorities across multiple concurrent development programs.

Develop engineering talent through mentoring, performance management, succession planning, and leadership development.

Support departmental budgeting, workforce planning, resource allocation, and longer-term engineering strategy.

Help build the technical and organizational capabilities required to support continued business growth.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical discipline; Master's degree or MBA preferred.

10+ years of progressive engineering experience with significant leadership responsibility within product design and development.

Proven experience managing engineering teams, engineering managers, or multidisciplinary technical organizations.

Strong technical background in low-voltage switchgear, power distribution units (PDUs), electrical distribution equipment, or closely related power infrastructure products.

Candidates may come from either an Electrical or Mechanical Engineering background but must demonstrate the ability to effectively lead multidisciplinary engineering organizations.

Experience leading products through the full development lifecycle from concept and design through validation and production.

Hands-on product design and development experience within a manufacturing environment.

Strong understanding of DFM, cost reduction, design optimization, and manufacturing processes.

Experience with engineering design tools and product data management environments such as Autodesk, CAD, PDM, and PLM systems.

Demonstrated ability to lead technical teams while maintaining enough technical depth to challenge designs, guide engineering decisions, and mentor engineers.

Strong communication, organizational leadership, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is currently operating at the Engineering Manager or Senior Engineering Manager level and has demonstrated the technical depth and leadership capability to progress into a Director-level position.

This individual should be comfortable leading through other engineering managers while still maintaining a hands-on technical leadership style. Experience designing or developing low-voltage switchgear, PDUs, or similar power distribution products is particularly important.

This is an excellent opportunity for a proven engineering leader who has reached the Senior Manager level and is looking for the scope, visibility, and organizational exposure needed to advance into Director-level leadership.

Up to $200,000 base salary

15% annual performance bonus

Company stock / RSU package

Relocation assistance for qualified candidates

Unlimited PTO

401(k) matching

Strong advancement opportunities within a growing global engineering organization

Clear opportunity to develop toward Director-level engineering leadership