Senior R&D Manager, Electrical Switchgear Innovation

R&D Manager, Electrical Switchgear Innovation

📍 Livermore, CA

💰 $185,000-$210,000 + 15% Bonus + Full Relocation

🏢 On-site, Full-time

Company Overview

Our client is a global technology powerhouse that recently acquired a legendary 60-year-old East Bay Switchgear OEM to anchor their next generation of grid resilience. By the end of this year, this site will be fully integrated into a multi-billion-dollar global ecosystem. You are joining a specialized R&D lab that possesses the agility of a focused shop and the infinite resources of a world leader. They are the engineering force behind some of the most durable power systems on the planet, building ultra-reliable, storm-hardened, and fully submersible infrastructure that thrives in the most extreme environments on earth.

Recent Milestones

• The Anchor Acquisition: Acquired by a $100B+ global leader in energy infrastructure to serve as a specialized R&D hub for North America.

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• Technical Integration: Merging 60 years of proven vacuum switchgear engineering into a unified, global grid-modernization platform.
• Infrastructure Investment: Significant 2026 investment into the Livermore innovation lab to meet surging demand this kind of hardware.

The Role

Report directly to the VP of R&D, operating with a level of technical autonomy that is impossible at legacy firms. This is a hardware-first leadership role. You will spend your time designing and developing new products in a state-of-the-art lab overseeing 3D design, mechanical assembly, and physical prototyping. Build the next generation of switchgear make the modern grid possible.

What You'll Own

• Mechanical Innovation: Drive the design and development of complex enclosures and assemblies for specialized medium-voltage switchgear.

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• Product Portfolio: Lead R&D for a elite catalog including Submersible and Vaultmount Automation, Solid Dielectric Padmount Switchgear, and Storm Hardened systems.
• Team Leadership: Mentor a cross-functional R&D team of engineers and technicians in Livermore, while providing indirect leadership to an engineering group in North Carolina.
• R&D Lab Authority: Oversee R&D test technicians and manage the full cycle of prototyping, testing, and validation to meet UL, IEC, and IEEE standards.
• Roadmap Strategy: Collaborate with the VP of R&D to define the mechanical capabilities and product advancements that will define the future of the grid.

What We're Looking For

• 7+ years of R&D experience, ideally focused on 15kV+ power distribution systems, medium-voltage switchgear, or submersible equipment.
• 3+ years of experience managing technical teams

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• Deep proficiency in 3D CAD (Solidworks preferred) and mechanical simulation software
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, MSME preferred
• Strong familiarity with IEEE, UL, and IEC standards

Why Join

• Move away from legacy maintenance and into true innovation. You have a seat at the table to define the roadmap and see your designs hit the production floor.
• Enjoy world-class benefits and the resources of a global powerhouse within a tight-knit culture of a focused innovation hub.
• Work on category-defining hardware that is the backbone of disaster-ready infrastructure.