Southwire Job Description

Job Summary

We are seeking a Senior Development Engineer who will support the growth initiatives of Southwire across the different verticals of the core utility business.  Under limited direction, the successful candidate will perform a variety of complex engineering assignments requiring in-depth knowledge of electrical engineering and particularly high voltage engineering, testing and measurements principles.  Familiarity with mechanical, and industrial engineering concepts is also required.  The candidate will act as a Core Team Leader/Project Manager leading a team of diverse experiences and disciplines such as Product Management, Operations, Certification and Test Labs towards the successful design, manufacturing, and commercialization of new products.  Additionally, he/she will act as a Subject Matter Expert supporting and advising the different HV/MV test laboratories in Southwire across multiple locations including but not limited to the HV test lab in Huntersville as well as MV test labs in various plants, the Cofer Technology Center and mobile test resources in Southwire’s services group.  The candidate shall adhere to and follow a Stage Gate development process ensuring that products are well designed and manufactured according to highest standards of safety, quality, and regulatory codes.  The individual will proactively seek and implement initiatives to improve operations and increase customer satisfaction.

Duties and Responsibilities

•    Acts as principal investigator or leads a group of engineers investigating problems, developing solutions, and preparing related recommendations and reports.  Executes Research & Development projects including planning, timeline forecast, budget management, logistics coordination using the “Stage Gate” process.
•    Collaborates with different partners within and outside the corporation. For example, manufacturing plants, test laboratories, customers, vendors, consultants, contractors, etc.
•    Leads projects with autonomy and personal accountability in a very fast-paced, time and budget-constrained environment.
•    Provides Testing and troubleshooting technical support and consultations to various test laboratories within Southwire at different plants.
•    Acts as a key liaison with external electrical test labs such as UL, CSA, KEMA and NEETRAC, etc.
•    Manages multiple complex projects in parallel to timely completion.
•    Takes initiative to recommend projects, product improvements, or cost reductions.
•    Represents the group in meetings and conferences; interacts with customers to provide trainings, resolves significant technical issues, obtains and analyzes Voice of the Customer (VOC) and develops related action plans.
•    Makes formal technical presentations to customers and to industry forums and at conferences.
•    As required, be responsible for technical direction and minor administrative guidance of a small group of engineers and assistants.
•    Supports manufacturing throughout the production cycle.  This includes, but not limited to, creating testing plans, design handover meetings and solving problems on manufacturing floor.

Qualifications and Experience Requirements

•    Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Masters degree preferred.
•    At least ten years engineering experience in the electrical power industry.
•    Product development experience.
•    Experience with manufacturing processes.
•    Working knowledge with HV/MV electrical testing and high voltage engineering.
•    Lean Six Sigma working knowledge is very desirable.
•    Skill and experience in statistical analysis is very desirable
•    Skills in Finite Element Analysis (FEA), and Multiphysics simulations are preferred.

Competencies