Sr. R&D Engineer - Innovation Mechanical Design

About IEM

Industrial Electric Mfg. (IEM) is the largest independent full-line manufacturer of custom power distribution systems in North America. Founded more than 75 years ago in Fremont, California, IEM grew alongside Silicon Valley and today operates over 1.7 million square feet of manufacturing capacity. With $1B+ in annual sales and 10,000+ commissioned projects across technology, data centers, commercial, energy, utilities, healthcare, industrial, and infrastructure markets, IEM continues to deliver exceptional product quality, dependable service, and the flexibility to meet complex technical requirements at scale.

Position Summary

The Sr. R&D Engineer – Mechanical Design explores, evaluates, and matures new ideas across all IEM power distribution product lines and emerging technologies. This role focuses on front-end innovation—assessing technical feasibility, risk, and value—while transforming early concepts into vetted solutions ready for New Product Development. The position plays a key role in advancing IEM’s applied innovation process and supporting sharing of technical knowledge across the organization.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a technically curious, systems-level thinker who thrives in early-stage, ambiguous problem spaces. They balance strong engineering fundamentals with practical experimentation, clear communication, and collaborative execution.

Key Responsibilities

· Evaluate and mature product or process innovation ideas through the applied innovation process, assessing feasibility, risk, and value.

· Develop conceptual designs and processes, system architectures, and proof-of-concept prototypes across LV, MV, and emerging power distribution technologies.

· Define and execute targeted tests, experiments, or analyses to validate concepts and reduce technical risk.

· Develop scalable engineering insights that inform future product platforms and architectures.

· Document findings and offer recommendations for next steps or discontinuation where appropriate.

· Prepare vetted concept packages for handoff to New Product Development teams.

· Collaborate cross-functionally with engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and quality stakeholders.

· Collaborate with and support the R&D team with engineering services, technical mentoring, and knowledge sharing initiatives.

Qualifications

· Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.

· 5–8+ years of experience in power distribution equipment, industrial products, or related engineering fields.

· Broad understanding of electrical power systems and multi-disciplinary engineering principles.

· Experience with prototyping, testing, and early-stage product or technology development.

· Familiarity with relevant codes, standards, and certification processes (UL, CSA, IEEE, IEC) preferred.

· Experience with multiphysics simulation techniques (CFD, FEA, etc.) a plus.

· Strong technical communication, documentation, and collaboration skills

Workplace Conditions 

· In-office role with collaboration across R&D and manufacturing teams

· Up to ~20% travel to support testing, prototyping, or cross-site initiatives

Why Join IEM

At IEM, you’ll join a team that powers some of the world’s most ambitious projects. We’re engineers, makers, and problem-solvers who thrive on tackling complex challenges and delivering solutions that keep industries moving forward. If you’re driven, collaborative, and ready to make an impact, we’d love to hear from you. Your creativity and passion can help us achieve great things—come be part of the journey.

Learn more about IEM at https://www.iemfg.com

We offer comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support our employees' well-being, growth, and long-term success. View a snapshot of our benefits at https://www.iemfg.com/careers

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IEM does not discriminate against any applicant based on any characteristic protected by law.

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