IEM is the largest independent full-line manufacturer of electrical distribution and control systems in North America. The Company has developed one of the most sophisticated electrical product manufacturing systems in the world and has cultivated partnerships with leading component suppliers resulting in optimal solutions to customer problems. IEM has offices in California, Florida, Canada, and Belgium.
PURPOSE OF POSITION:
The Test Lab Manager will lead the product validation and testing efforts within the R&D Engineering department. This role is responsible for managing the engineering lab, overseeing test planning and execution, ensuring compliance with industry standards, and supporting product development for Low and Medium Voltage power distribution equipment through rigorous validation protocols. The ideal candidate will bring technical expertise, leadership, and a passion for quality assurance in electrical distribution systems.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Yes
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Lab Management & Operations
- Oversee daily operations of the R&D engineering lab, including equipment maintenance, safety compliance, and workflow optimization.
- Ensure the lab is equipped and staffed to support current and future testing needs.
- Develop and execute comprehensive validation plans for new and existing products.
- Lead performance, reliability, environmental, and compliance testing in accordance with UL, IEEE, ANSI, and other relevant standards.
- Analyze test data, prepare detailed reports, and present findings to cross-functional teams.
- Supervise and mentor, lead test engineers, lab technicians and validation engineers.
- Foster a culture of continuous improvement, safety, and technical excellence.
- Work closely with design engineering, manufacturing, and quality teams to ensure product launch readiness and compliance.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including development engineering, product engineering, manufacturing, and quality teams to drive product improvements and resolve technical issues.
- Support root cause analysis and corrective actions for product issues identified during testing.
- Manage the testing schedule, prioritize tasks and ensure timely completion of testing projects.
- Schedule and supervise testing at 3rd party laboratories when testing cannot be completed in-house.
- Coordinate shipments and assist with packaging, loading and unloading equipment and supplies.
- Identify opportunities to enhance validation processes, reduce cycle times, and improve test accuracy.
- Implement best practices in lab management and product testing.
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field (Master's is a plus).
- 10+ years of experience in product validation, testing, or lab management within the electrical equipment or related industry.
- Strong knowledge of electrical distribution systems and applicable standards (UL, IEEE, ANSI, CSA).
- Proven leadership and team management skills.
- Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication abilities.
- Experience with data acquisition systems, test instrumentation, and lab automation tools is a plus.