Equagen
Operations Manager – Medium Voltage Switchgear Manufacturing
Equagen, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States, 27601
Overview
Equagen Engineers is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead the end-to-end operations of our Medium Voltage (MV) Switchgear Manufacturing Division. This individual will oversee all aspects of design, production, quality, certification, and financial performance of the business unit. The ideal candidate possesses deep technical expertise in MV switchgear systems (5 kV – 38 kV), a strong understanding of applicable codes and standards (UL, ANSI, IEEE, NEMA), and a proven track record of leading teams through efficient, high-quality manufacturing operations. This is a key leadership role with full P&L responsibility, reporting directly to CEO, and playing a pivotal role in our domestic switchgear manufacturing capabilities.
Responsibilities
Operations & Production Management:
Lead and manage day-to-day manufacturing operations, ensuring safe, efficient, and timely production of MV switchgear assemblies.
Planning & Scheduling:
Develop and implement production schedules, staffing plans, and resource allocation to meet customer delivery commitments.
Production & Quality:
Oversee fabrication, assembly, wiring, testing, and quality assurance of switchgear systems in accordance with design and safety requirements.
Continuous Improvement:
Drive continuous improvement through lean manufacturing practices, process optimization, and equipment utilization.
Technical Oversight & Compliance:
Ensure all products meet or exceed applicable standards, including UL 1558, UL 891, UL 845, ANSI C37, IEEE C37, and NEMA SG-5.
Engineering Coordination:
Coordinate with engineering teams for product design validation, type testing, and certification with third-party NRTLs (e.g., UL, ETL).
Documentation & Configuration:
Approve technical drawings, bill of materials (BOM), and ensure proper configuration control.
Technical Expertise:
Maintain deep technical expertise in switchgear design, including bus systems, breakers, relays, protection schemes, and controls integration.
Financial Leadership:
Own and manage the full P&L of the switchgear and relay panel business unit, including revenue forecasting, cost control, and profitability targets.
Performance Metrics:
Develop and monitor key performance metrics (cost per unit, cycle time, inventory turnover, scrap rate, etc.).
Business Support:
Support business development and supply chain teams with cost estimation, pricing strategy, and vendor negotiations.
Reporting:
Prepare and present financial and operational performance reports to senior leadership.
Project Planning:
Oversee project planning from order entry through shipment, ensuring alignment with engineering, procurement, and QA/QC milestones.
ERP & Scheduling:
Implement ERP/MRP systems (NetSuite) to optimize inventory, scheduling, and workflow management.
Delivery Coordination:
Coordinate with project management and logistics for on-time delivery to clients across utility, data center, and industrial markets.
Leadership & Talent:
Lead a multidisciplinary team including supervisors, engineers, technicians, and administrative staff; recruit, mentor, and develop operational talent to support long-term growth objectives.
Qualifications
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Industrial Engineering
Experience:
10+ years of experience in switchgear manufacturing, assembly, or operations (MV/LV); proven track record in managing factory operations, budgets, and full P&L responsibility; experience with UL certification processes, factory audits, and compliance documentation; hands-on knowledge of protection & control systems, power circuit breakers, relays, and control wiring; familiarity with ISO 9001, lean manufacturing, and ERP systems (NetSuite or similar)
Skills:
Strong leadership, planning, and analytical skills; excellent understanding of codes and standards (UL, IEEE, ANSI, NEMA, NEC); strong financial acumen with ability to interpret balance sheets and cost structures; effective communicator capable of cross-functional coordination and client interface; ability to thrive in a fast-growing manufacturing environment; salary and bonus details as described in the original posting.
Equagen Engineers is an integrated engineering and manufacturing firm delivering power infrastructure solutions nationwide. Our services include substation design, energy storage systems, microgrids, and advanced switchgear manufacturing. We are building a state-of-the-art 80,000 sq ft facility in Durham, NC, dedicated to next-generation power and control systems—empowering utilities, EPCs, and developers across the U.S.
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Equagen Engineers is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead the end-to-end operations of our Medium Voltage (MV) Switchgear Manufacturing Division. This individual will oversee all aspects of design, production, quality, certification, and financial performance of the business unit. The ideal candidate possesses deep technical expertise in MV switchgear systems (5 kV – 38 kV), a strong understanding of applicable codes and standards (UL, ANSI, IEEE, NEMA), and a proven track record of leading teams through efficient, high-quality manufacturing operations. This is a key leadership role with full P&L responsibility, reporting directly to CEO, and playing a pivotal role in our domestic switchgear manufacturing capabilities.
Responsibilities
Operations & Production Management:
Lead and manage day-to-day manufacturing operations, ensuring safe, efficient, and timely production of MV switchgear assemblies.
Planning & Scheduling:
Develop and implement production schedules, staffing plans, and resource allocation to meet customer delivery commitments.
Production & Quality:
Oversee fabrication, assembly, wiring, testing, and quality assurance of switchgear systems in accordance with design and safety requirements.
Continuous Improvement:
Drive continuous improvement through lean manufacturing practices, process optimization, and equipment utilization.
Technical Oversight & Compliance:
Ensure all products meet or exceed applicable standards, including UL 1558, UL 891, UL 845, ANSI C37, IEEE C37, and NEMA SG-5.
Engineering Coordination:
Coordinate with engineering teams for product design validation, type testing, and certification with third-party NRTLs (e.g., UL, ETL).
Documentation & Configuration:
Approve technical drawings, bill of materials (BOM), and ensure proper configuration control.
Technical Expertise:
Maintain deep technical expertise in switchgear design, including bus systems, breakers, relays, protection schemes, and controls integration.
Financial Leadership:
Own and manage the full P&L of the switchgear and relay panel business unit, including revenue forecasting, cost control, and profitability targets.
Performance Metrics:
Develop and monitor key performance metrics (cost per unit, cycle time, inventory turnover, scrap rate, etc.).
Business Support:
Support business development and supply chain teams with cost estimation, pricing strategy, and vendor negotiations.
Reporting:
Prepare and present financial and operational performance reports to senior leadership.
Project Planning:
Oversee project planning from order entry through shipment, ensuring alignment with engineering, procurement, and QA/QC milestones.
ERP & Scheduling:
Implement ERP/MRP systems (NetSuite) to optimize inventory, scheduling, and workflow management.
Delivery Coordination:
Coordinate with project management and logistics for on-time delivery to clients across utility, data center, and industrial markets.
Leadership & Talent:
Lead a multidisciplinary team including supervisors, engineers, technicians, and administrative staff; recruit, mentor, and develop operational talent to support long-term growth objectives.
Qualifications
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Industrial Engineering
Experience:
10+ years of experience in switchgear manufacturing, assembly, or operations (MV/LV); proven track record in managing factory operations, budgets, and full P&L responsibility; experience with UL certification processes, factory audits, and compliance documentation; hands-on knowledge of protection & control systems, power circuit breakers, relays, and control wiring; familiarity with ISO 9001, lean manufacturing, and ERP systems (NetSuite or similar)
Skills:
Strong leadership, planning, and analytical skills; excellent understanding of codes and standards (UL, IEEE, ANSI, NEMA, NEC); strong financial acumen with ability to interpret balance sheets and cost structures; effective communicator capable of cross-functional coordination and client interface; ability to thrive in a fast-growing manufacturing environment; salary and bonus details as described in the original posting.
Equagen Engineers is an integrated engineering and manufacturing firm delivering power infrastructure solutions nationwide. Our services include substation design, energy storage systems, microgrids, and advanced switchgear manufacturing. We are building a state-of-the-art 80,000 sq ft facility in Durham, NC, dedicated to next-generation power and control systems—empowering utilities, EPCs, and developers across the U.S.
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