Team Lead, Electrical Design

Samuel, Son & Co. 1855Waterloo, OntarioOn-siteFull-timeSenior, 5–8 yearsListed 4 hours ago

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About this role

Responsible for leading a team of Electrical Designers in the day-to-day technical execution of assigned projects. Provides technical leadership and oversight for the design, development, and documentation of electrical control systems for automated machinery in accordance with customer requirements and applicable standards (CSA, ESA, UL, NFPA, OSHA, etc.), as well as company and departmental standards and policies. Ensures high-quality electrical designs that support safe, reliable, and efficient machine build, commissioning, and operation.

What You’ll Be Doing

Technical Leadership, Team Development & Continuous Improvement

- Conduct electrical design reviews to ensure quality, accuracy, and compliance with established standards.

- Provide technical guidance and support to Electrical Designers, Controls Integrators, Mechanical Engineers, and other project stakeholders.

- Mentor and develop members of the Electrical Design team.

- Perform regular 1:1 meetings with Electrical Design team members.

- Assist the Systems Integration Manager with resource planning, workload balancing, and scheduling activities.

- Manage the overall performance and development of Electrical Design team members.

- Lead departmental standardization initiatives, including electrical design templates, component selection, and best practices.

- Participate in continuous improvement initiatives across engineering disciplines.

- Support onboarding, training, and ongoing development of team members.

- Foster a culture of quality, safety, collaboration, and accountability.

Technical Design Execution & Project Delivery

- Work closely with Mechanical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Assembly, and Project Management teams to fully understand project requirements.

- Develop electrical schematics, panel layouts, network architectures, and bills of materials in accordance with customer, company, and regulatory requirements.

- Ensure electrical designs comply with applicable standards and customer specifications.

- Perform calculations and design validation related to power distribution, circuit protection, safety systems, and control architecture.

- Support the selection and integration of electrical components including PLCs, HMIs, drives, motors, safety devices, sensors, and industrial networking equipment.

- Review and approve electrical designs created by team members.

- Provide technical support during assembly, wiring, debug, commissioning, and customer acceptance activities.

- Collaborate with Controls Integrators to ensure seamless implementation of electrical and controls designs.

- Investigate and resolve design-related issues during manufacturing and commissioning phases.

- Maintain red-lined electrical drawings and ensure as-built documentation is accurate and complete.

- Ensure all work is performed safely and in accordance with company Health & Safety policies.

- Complete all responsibilities in a timely manner within an ISO 9001 environment.

You’ll Be Great At

- Demonstrating strong communication, leadership, integrity, adaptability, and problem-solving skills.

- Building collaborative relationships across engineering disciplines and project teams.

- Leading technical discussions and making sound engineering decisions.

- Applying significant knowledge and practical experience in:

Electrical design for automated machinery and manufacturing systems

- Industrial control panel design

- Power distribution and control system architecture

- Electrical safety circuit design

- CSA, ESA, UL, NFPA and related electrical standards

- PLC, HMI, robotics, servo, and industrial networking hardware integration

- Electrical CAD software (AutoCAD Electrical, EPLAN, or equivalent)

- Component selection, specification, and BOM development

- Design for manufacturability and serviceability

- Communicating effectively with customers, suppliers, and internal stakeholders.

- Maintaining a strong attention to detail while managing multiple priorities.

Level of Autonomy and Authority

- Works as a fully qualified professional with minimal supervision.

- Oversees and monitors Electrical Design teams working on multiple projects simultaneously.

- Responsible for the electrical design of complete automation systems, production lines, or stand-alone machines that may involve multiple designers.

- Guides and reviews the work of team members to ensure technical quality and consistency.

- Provides recommendations regarding departmental standards, processes, tools, and design methodologies.

- Supports hiring, performance management, employee development, and succession planning activities within the team.

- Escalates significant technical, resource, or project risks as required.

Key Requirements (Education, Experience, and Qualifications)

- College diploma or University degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, Mechatronics, or a related discipline.

- Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in electrical design related to industrial automation, machinery, or manufacturing systems.

- Previous experience leading projects, mentoring team members, or providing technical leadership is strongly preferred.

- Proficiency with electrical design software such as AutoCAD Electrical, EPLAN, or equivalent.

- Strong understanding of industrial automation systems and machine safety requirements.

- Knowledge of applicable electrical codes and standards.

- Ability to manage competing priorities and support multiple projects simultaneously.

- Valid passport and driver's licence with the ability to travel occasionally to customer sites if required.

Special Requirements

Physical demands and work environment

- Primarily office-based work requiring extended periods of sitting and computer use while performing electrical design, documentation, and project coordination activities.

- Periodically required to visit the manufacturing floor to support builds, review progress, collaborate with production personnel, and resolve design-related issues.

The base salary range for this position is $50.46 - $63.09 per year (CAD). The posted range reflects the expected base salary for this position. Actual base salary will be determined based on factors such as geographic location, skills, education, and experience, as well as internal equity considerations. Offers are typically made within the range and not at the top of the range to support growth and progression. This position is eligible to participate in a short-term incentive plan. Incentive awards, if any, are based on business and individual performance and are not guaranteed.

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