Director of Mechanical Design Engineering
Virginia Transformer Corp, Roanoke, Virginia, United States, 24000
On the heels of achieving
3X growth , Virginia Transformer is hiring to do it
again!
We’re strategically building our team for the next 3X growth cycle — a phase that is both
intense and incredibly rewarding . We’re highly selective about who joins us, because this journey isn’t for everyone.
If you have the
drive, grit, and expertise
to perform at a high level — and you want to grow your
career 3X alongside the Company’s growth
— we’d love to talk.
Apply below and let’s start the conversation.
Who We Are Virginia Transformer is
the largestU.S.-owned producer of power transformers in North America, and we’ve been able to grow the past 50-plus years through an unwavering focus on delivering for our customers. We’re more than 5,400 people strong and are known throughout the industry for being an engineering company that makes premium quality transformers in the shortest lead times.
As a
privately held, organically growing company , we thrive on nimbleness, innovation, and tenacity.
Join Our Team If you love the thrill of securing the U.S. electric grid, enabling all manufacturing in the country, and the energy of a fast-moving train — this is the place for you. We train hard, grow together, and lead with purpose. Every transformer we build is custom, every challenge unique, and every team member essential.
We’re looking for those ready to lead, fueled by commitment, and driven by impact. We are growing so fast that all our available roles are not yet posted, so let us know if you are interested and we will follow-up.
Job Title:
Director of Mechanical Design
Location:
Roanoke, VA (On-site, with regular travel to multiple U.S. manufacturing plants)
About the Role Virginia Transformer Corporation is seeking a
hands‑on Director of Mechanical Design
to lead the mechanical design function across
six manufacturing plants
supporting highly engineered, custom electromechanical equipment. This role is responsible for
design excellence, standardization, and manufacturability , ensuring mechanical systems meet the highest standards of
performance, safety, reliability, and cost efficiency .
The ideal candidate brings
deep technical expertise in mechanical systems, metallurgy, polymers, and thermal behavior , paired with proven experience leading
large, multi‑site engineering organizations . This role sits at the intersection of
design, manufacturing, and innovation , working closely with plant engineering, corporate R&D, sourcing, vendor quality, and operations to deliver consistent, scalable mechanical designs across the enterprise.
Key Responsibilities
Lead, mentor, and develop a distributed team of
mechanical design engineers across multiple U.S. plants , fostering a culture of accountability, rigor, and continuous improvement.
Own and enforce the
Mechanical Design Manual , standards, and best practices, ensuring consistency and repeatability across all sites.
Partner with
Corporate R&D
to introduce new materials, design features, and mechanical innovations that enhance product performance and manufacturability.
Establish and track
KPIs for mechanical design quality, cycle time, rework, and throughput , driving measurable improvements year over year.
Serve as the senior mechanical authority for complex design decisions, escalations, and technical risk assessment.
Mechanical Design & Engineering Execution
Oversee the design and development of
complex mechanical assemblies
for custom electromechanical equipment, ensuring designs are robust, manufacturable, and cost‑effective.
Provide
hands‑on technical leadership
as needed, including concept development, 3D modeling, design reviews, and complex problem‑solving.
Apply deep expertise in
metallurgy, polymers, and material science
to optimize thermal performance, structural integrity, and long‑term reliability.
Implement and continuously improve
design automation, configurators, and process assurance systems
to reduce variability and improve speed to market.
Review and approve
mechanical drawings, calculations, FEA results, and design documentation
to ensure compliance with internal standards and industry requirements.
Cross‑Functional Collaboration
Partner with
Sourcing and Vendor Quality
to qualify suppliers, evaluate alternate materials, and support cost‑reduction initiatives without compromising quality.
Participate in
design reviews, NCR investigations, root cause analysis, and corrective actions
related to mechanical or manufacturing issues.
Work closely with
plant leadership and production teams
to ensure designs support operational efficiency, safety, and scalability.
Collaborate with
Safety, Compliance, and Environmental teams
to ensure all mechanical designs meet regulatory, industry, and internal safety standards.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering
required;
Master’s degree preferred . PE license is a plus.
15–20+ years
of experience in
thermo‑mechanical design of custom electromechanical or industrial equipment , with at least
5 years in a senior leadership or multi‑site role .
Strong background in
metallurgy, polymers, material science, and industrial product design
within manufacturing, energy, aerospace, rail, or similarly complex industries.
Advanced proficiency with
CAD and analysis tools
(SolidWorks, Creo, or equivalent), including
FEA/FEM
methodologies.
Demonstrated success leading engineering teams in
plant‑based, multi‑plant, or global manufacturing environments .
Skills & Attributes
Expert‑level knowledge of
mechanical design principles, material behavior, thermal performance, and stress analysis .
Proven ability to balance
design innovation with manufacturability, cost control, and operational discipline .
Hands‑on, pragmatic problem solver with a
shop‑floor mindset
and strong engineering judgment.
Exceptional communicator able to influence across
engineering, operations, sourcing, and executive leadership .
Strong organizational and leadership capability, with experience guiding
large engineering organizations (100+ engineers) .
Strategic thinker with the discipline to drive
standardization, scalability, and continuous improvement .
#J-18808-Ljbffr
3X growth , Virginia Transformer is hiring to do it
again!
We’re strategically building our team for the next 3X growth cycle — a phase that is both
intense and incredibly rewarding . We’re highly selective about who joins us, because this journey isn’t for everyone.
If you have the
drive, grit, and expertise
to perform at a high level — and you want to grow your
career 3X alongside the Company’s growth
— we’d love to talk.
Apply below and let’s start the conversation.
Who We Are Virginia Transformer is
the largestU.S.-owned producer of power transformers in North America, and we’ve been able to grow the past 50-plus years through an unwavering focus on delivering for our customers. We’re more than 5,400 people strong and are known throughout the industry for being an engineering company that makes premium quality transformers in the shortest lead times.
As a
privately held, organically growing company , we thrive on nimbleness, innovation, and tenacity.
Join Our Team If you love the thrill of securing the U.S. electric grid, enabling all manufacturing in the country, and the energy of a fast-moving train — this is the place for you. We train hard, grow together, and lead with purpose. Every transformer we build is custom, every challenge unique, and every team member essential.
We’re looking for those ready to lead, fueled by commitment, and driven by impact. We are growing so fast that all our available roles are not yet posted, so let us know if you are interested and we will follow-up.
Job Title:
Director of Mechanical Design
Location:
Roanoke, VA (On-site, with regular travel to multiple U.S. manufacturing plants)
About the Role Virginia Transformer Corporation is seeking a
hands‑on Director of Mechanical Design
to lead the mechanical design function across
six manufacturing plants
supporting highly engineered, custom electromechanical equipment. This role is responsible for
design excellence, standardization, and manufacturability , ensuring mechanical systems meet the highest standards of
performance, safety, reliability, and cost efficiency .
The ideal candidate brings
deep technical expertise in mechanical systems, metallurgy, polymers, and thermal behavior , paired with proven experience leading
large, multi‑site engineering organizations . This role sits at the intersection of
design, manufacturing, and innovation , working closely with plant engineering, corporate R&D, sourcing, vendor quality, and operations to deliver consistent, scalable mechanical designs across the enterprise.
Key Responsibilities
Lead, mentor, and develop a distributed team of
mechanical design engineers across multiple U.S. plants , fostering a culture of accountability, rigor, and continuous improvement.
Own and enforce the
Mechanical Design Manual , standards, and best practices, ensuring consistency and repeatability across all sites.
Partner with
Corporate R&D
to introduce new materials, design features, and mechanical innovations that enhance product performance and manufacturability.
Establish and track
KPIs for mechanical design quality, cycle time, rework, and throughput , driving measurable improvements year over year.
Serve as the senior mechanical authority for complex design decisions, escalations, and technical risk assessment.
Mechanical Design & Engineering Execution
Oversee the design and development of
complex mechanical assemblies
for custom electromechanical equipment, ensuring designs are robust, manufacturable, and cost‑effective.
Provide
hands‑on technical leadership
as needed, including concept development, 3D modeling, design reviews, and complex problem‑solving.
Apply deep expertise in
metallurgy, polymers, and material science
to optimize thermal performance, structural integrity, and long‑term reliability.
Implement and continuously improve
design automation, configurators, and process assurance systems
to reduce variability and improve speed to market.
Review and approve
mechanical drawings, calculations, FEA results, and design documentation
to ensure compliance with internal standards and industry requirements.
Cross‑Functional Collaboration
Partner with
Sourcing and Vendor Quality
to qualify suppliers, evaluate alternate materials, and support cost‑reduction initiatives without compromising quality.
Participate in
design reviews, NCR investigations, root cause analysis, and corrective actions
related to mechanical or manufacturing issues.
Work closely with
plant leadership and production teams
to ensure designs support operational efficiency, safety, and scalability.
Collaborate with
Safety, Compliance, and Environmental teams
to ensure all mechanical designs meet regulatory, industry, and internal safety standards.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering
required;
Master’s degree preferred . PE license is a plus.
15–20+ years
of experience in
thermo‑mechanical design of custom electromechanical or industrial equipment , with at least
5 years in a senior leadership or multi‑site role .
Strong background in
metallurgy, polymers, material science, and industrial product design
within manufacturing, energy, aerospace, rail, or similarly complex industries.
Advanced proficiency with
CAD and analysis tools
(SolidWorks, Creo, or equivalent), including
FEA/FEM
methodologies.
Demonstrated success leading engineering teams in
plant‑based, multi‑plant, or global manufacturing environments .
Skills & Attributes
Expert‑level knowledge of
mechanical design principles, material behavior, thermal performance, and stress analysis .
Proven ability to balance
design innovation with manufacturability, cost control, and operational discipline .
Hands‑on, pragmatic problem solver with a
shop‑floor mindset
and strong engineering judgment.
Exceptional communicator able to influence across
engineering, operations, sourcing, and executive leadership .
Strong organizational and leadership capability, with experience guiding
large engineering organizations (100+ engineers) .
Strategic thinker with the discipline to drive
standardization, scalability, and continuous improvement .
#J-18808-Ljbffr