Senior Design Engineering Manager

About ERMCO​

ERMCO (Electric Research and Manufacturing Cooperative, Inc.) is a leading U.S. manufacturer of distribution transformers and engineered electrical solutions serving electric utilities, OEMs, and industrial customers across North America. Headquartered in Dyersburg, Tennessee, ERMCO delivers reliable, high-quality products that power homes, businesses, and communities every day.

With a commitment to safety, operational excellence, and continuous improvement, ERMCO is at the forefront of supporting grid modernization and the energy transition. Our vertically integrated operations, customer-focused culture, and investment in people and technology make ERMCO a trusted partner in delivering resilient, sustainable power infrastructure for the future.

Job Summary:

The Senior Design Engineering Manager is responsible for overseeing the design, development, and manufacturing of single-phase and three-phase transformers across multiple teams, plant locations, and functions. This senior-level manager leads engineering efforts through M2-M3 managers and advanced-level (P3 & above) individual contributors, contributing to & ensuring alignment with organizational goals and strategies. The Senior Design Engineering Manager plays a critical role in driving the tactical execution of engineering plans, managing cross-functional collaboration, and delivering business results through high quality, highly optimized, high-volume designs. 

• Lead and manage multiple teams of engineering professionals, including managers and senior individual contributors.
• Oversee the design, development, optimization, and execution of designs for single-phase and three-phase distribution transformers.
• Ownership of the product scope in relation to the production lines assigned to this role.
• Provide cross-functional leadership, working closely with supply chain, manufacturing, quality, and sales to align engineering initiatives with broader business strategies and customer needs.
• Mentor and develop M2-M3 managers and senior engineers, fostering leadership capabilities and ensuring succession planning within the engineering organization.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards (e.g. IEEE) and regulatory requirements (e.g. DOE) for transformer and product design within the engineering function.
• Manage budgets and resource allocation to ensure projects are completed within financial and resource constraints.
• Promote and uphold safety standards within the engineering teams and throughout project execution.
• Implement, monitor, and manage performance metrics, ensuring that engineering KPIs align with business objectives and drive measurable success.

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• More than 15 years of experience in distribution transformer design, with experience in managing other leaders (M2-M3) and successfully delivering complex projects. At least 10 years of managing a cross functional design engineering team preferred.
• Experience working in a high-volume distribution transformer manufacturing environment.
• Understanding of product optimization in relation to material commodities, regulatory requirements, customer specifications, and industry standards.
• Working experience in designing to IEEE distribution transformer standards. Involvement with IEEE Transformer Standards Committee a plus.
• Experience designing to ensure compliance with DOE regulatory requirements and submittal process.
• Previous experience working with amorphous type core steel and successful implementation of the material through both industry defined type testing (e.g. Short-Circuit, Heat Rise, and Sound Level) and into a commercially feasible product offering.
• Familiarity with CPQ process in relation to the design process of distribution transformers. Direct knowledge of INFOR business system ideal.
• Strong leadership skills with demonstrated success in developing and mentoring engineering teams and managers.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with a tactical decision-making approach to resolving complex challenges.
• Effective communication, listening and interpersonal skills, capable of collaborating with senior leadership and cross-functional teams to achieve business objectives.
• Experience managing budgets and project resources to ensure successful project delivery.

Join ERMCO and TRANSFORM your career.