Principal Design Engineer

About IEM

Industrial Electric Mfg. (IEM) is the largest independent full-line manufacturer of custom power distribution systems in North America. Founded more than 75 years ago in Fremont, California, IEM grew alongside Silicon Valley and today operates over 1.7 million square feet of manufacturing capacity. With $1B+ in annual sales and 10,000+ commissioned projects across technology, data centers, commercial, energy, utilities, healthcare, industrial, and infrastructure markets, IEM continues to deliver exceptional product quality, dependable service, and the flexibility to meet complex technical requirements at scale.

Position Summary

The Principal Electrical Engineer serves as a senior technical authority within the organization, responsible for providing technical leadership and design oversight for low-voltage and medium-voltage switchgear systems. This role acts as the technical point of contact for assigned key accounts, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, innovative, reliable engineering solutions that meet customer and company standards.

The Principal Engineer will guide and mentor project design engineers, drive consistency and quality across deliverables, and proactively collaborate with Sales, Operations, and Production teams to resolve issues, ensure on-time project execution, and maintain strong customer satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical lead for both low and medium-voltage switchgear projects, ensuring designs meet all applicable standards, customer specifications, and company quality expectations.
• Serve as the primary technical contact for assigned clients or accounts, developing an in-depth understanding of their standards, preferences, and processes.
• Serve as a technical representative in customer-facing design activities, including design submittal reviews, coordination meetings, and detailed technical discussions related to project scope, interlocking schemes, and control functionality.
• Provide expert-level troubleshooting and resolution of design or operational issues identified during installation, commissioning, or field service, coordinating with internal teams and customers to implement solutions.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to design engineers, fostering professional development and strong engineering fundamentals.
• Provide engineering leadership across multiple concurrent, business-critical projects.
• Exemplify a culture of ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement across the engineering team.
• Collaborate with Sales and Program/Project Management to define technical requirements and ensure clarity of scope.
• Support Operations, Sales, and Quality teams resolving technical challenges.
• Collaborate with Sales, Procurement, and Operations to develop and maintain material selections that ensure consistent component availability and manufacturability for designs that will span multiple years of production.
• Review, redline, and approve electrical design packages developed by project engineers, providing constructive feedback and guidance.
• Act as a subject matter expert on electrical system design, NRTL certifications, and UL/CSA standards (e.g., UL 891, UL 1558, UL 67, IEEE C37.20).
• Identify design and process improvements to enhance quality, manufacturability, and reliability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology diploma (Power Option preferred) or equivalent professional experience preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in electrical design of power systems, switchgear, or related products.
• Experience and deep understanding of working for/with a Power distribution OEM.
• Project management experience or exposure to structured project tracking preferred.
• Proficient in MS Office Suite
• Proficient in AutoCAD or equivalent CAD software
• Expert knowledge of 3-phase electrical power systems, switchgear design, and related protection/control schemes.
• Strong sense of ownership with a proactive, solution-oriented approach to problem-solving.
• Deep understanding of UL, CSA, and IEEE standards governing low- and medium-voltage assemblies.
• Proven ability to manage multiple complex projects and coordinate cross-functional efforts.
• Skilled communicator, capable of interfacing effectively with customers, engineers, and leadership.
• Mentorship mindset — able to coach engineers and influence without direct authority.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and documentation skills.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills.

Compensation

The salary range for this role is $115,200.00 - $202,800.00 per year, based on location, experience, and qualifications.

Why Join IEM

At IEM, you’ll join a team that powers some of the world’s most ambitious projects. We’re engineers, makers, and problem-solvers who thrive on tackling complex challenges and delivering solutions that keep industries moving forward. If you’re driven, collaborative, and ready to make an impact, we’d love to hear from you. Your creativity and passion can help us achieve great things—come be part of the journey.

Learn more about IEM at https://www.iemfg.com

We offer comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support our employees' well-being, growth, and long-term success. View a snapshot of our benefits at https://www.iemfg.com/careers

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IEM does not discriminate against any applicant based on any characteristic protected by law.

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