Design Engineering Manager, Integrated Automation & Control Solution in Richmond

Arrow Speed Controls Limited (est. 1980) is the leading Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) Integrator in North America. With over 20,000 successful applications to date, we are a trusted partner across the heavy industries. We engineer and assemble speed control equipment for a wide range of electric motor applications. In addition to VFDs, we also do DC drives, soft starts, servo controls and PLC systems.

What You Will Be Doing

• The Engineering Manager directs the regional and global strategy for our power electrical, automation, and controls engineering department.
• This role oversees the comprehensive design engineering, standardization, and lifecycle management of low-voltage (LV) and medium-voltage (MV) Switchgears, Motor Control Centers (MCCs), E-houses, advanced Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) configurations, and complex process automation networks.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Technical Leadership: Manage, mentor, and build a high-performing team of electrical, controls, and automation engineers specialized in heavy industrial process applications.
• LV/MV System Architecture: Oversee the design and configuration of standard and custom LV and MV smart MCCs, high-horsepower VFD systems (air and water-cooled), harmonic mitigation filters, and soft starters.
• Process Automation & Networking: Direct the engineering development of PLC, HMI, and SCADA architectures, ensuring seamless industrial network integration across complex process loops.
• Industry-Specific Compliance: Enforce strict adherence to safety standards, electrical codes, and regulatory frameworks unique to our sectors.
• Lifecycle & Reliability Management: Drive engineering solutions for equipment modernization, brownfield upgrades, preventative maintenance strategies, and root-cause analysis for critical equipment failures.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Project Management, Plant Operations, Procurement, and Safety teams to deliver complex capital expenditure (CapEx) and operational (OpEx) projects safely, on time, and within budget.
• Multi-Site Fleet Standardization: Develop, implement, and enforce engineering standards, corporate blueprints, and standard operating procedures for LV/MV smart MCCs, VFD architectures, and PLC code libraries.
• Regional Compliance & Safety: Ensure all engineering designs and installations strictly adhere to localized regulations and global standards.
• Technology Roadmap & Innovation: Drive the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies, including predictive maintenance for VFDs, smart-MCC data analytics, and secure cross-site SCADA/cloud integration.
• Project Leadership: Lead and manage complex electrical engineering projects from concept to completion, ensuring they meet technical specifications and are delivered on time and within budget.
• Design and Development: Design and develop electrical systems, components, and test procedures ensuring innovative solutions that adhere to safety standards and industry regulations.
• Technical Authority: Act as the technical authority within the engineering disciplines, ensuring all designs and assessments comply with statutory requirements and national/international standards.
• Collaboration: Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to achieve project goals and resolve any technical challenges that arise.
• Mentorship and Training: Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior engineers, fostering their professional development and ensuring knowledge transfer within the team.
• Troubleshooting: Identify and resolve complex electrical issues, providing effective solutions to maintain project timelines and quality standards.
• Reporting: Prepare and present engineering reports to stakeholders, summarizing project progress, challenges, and solutions.
• Innovation: Evaluate and implement new technologies and methodologies to enhance engineering processes and project outcomes.
• Team Leadership: Manage, mentor, and scale a team of electrical, firmware, software and mechanical design engineers.
• VFD Design & Architecture: Oversee end-to-end design of low-voltage (LV) or medium-voltage (MV) VFDs, power converters, and motor control systems.
• Technical Oversight: Review hardware schematics, layouts, embedded SCADA/PLC programs, thermal management, and EMC compliance.
• Process & Standards: Ensure compliance with international safety and performance standards and improve standard work processes.

What We Need From You

• Education and Background: Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Power Electrical Engineering, Automation, or Automation & Control. Professional Engineer (P.Eng. / PE) designation is required.
• Experience: 10+ years of progressive engineering experience in process industries, with at least 3-5 years in a formal engineering management or team leadership role.
• Technical Expertise: Deep knowledge of LV/MV switchgear, smart MCCs, and major VFD/PLC platforms.
• Domain Knowledge: Proven experience with power quality analysis, arc-flash mitigation, harmonic analysis, and heavy-industry safety protocols.
• Leadership Skill: Strong leadership and project management abilities are crucial for guiding teams and managing complex projects.

Key Competencies We Expect Our People To Consistently Demonstrate

• Ethics & Integrity: Acts with honesty, professionalism, fairness, and respect while maintaining confidentiality and building trust.
• Accountability: Takes ownership of responsibilities, follows through on commitments, and accepts responsibility for outcomes.
• Strategic Thinking: Understands how their work contributes to organizational goals and identifies opportunities to improve processes and results.
• Action Orientation: Demonstrates initiative, solves problems proactively, and responds effectively to changing priorities and challenges.
• Continuous Learning & Humility: Seeks feedback, learns from experiences, embraces new ideas, and pursues ongoing personal and professional development.
• Teamwork & Collaboration: Works effectively with others, values diverse perspectives, and contributes to a positive, respectful, and inclusive workplace.
• Results Orientation: Focuses on delivering high-quality work, meeting deadlines, and achieving objectives efficiently and effectively.
• Safety & Well-Being: Promotes a safe and healthy work environment by following safety procedures, identifying hazards, and supporting the well-being of others.

What We Will Give To You

• $160,000 - $180,000, dependent on experience and qualifications.
• Extended health and dental benefits.
• RRSP matching plan.
• Education and training funding opportunities.
• Social functions with team.
• Paid time off for personal wellness.
• Opportunities to move up with your career with Arrow.

Career Path

This role provides a growth path to develop, mentor, and grow the design engineering team with both capacity and capability to be a world-class team with an ultimate goal of becoming Director of Engineering for our entire Integrated Automation & Control Solution Platform and more.

Arrow Speed Controls is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Arrow is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, or other legally protected status.