R&D Manager

Reporting to the VP of Engineering, you will lead our US R&D and Product Development programs for low-voltage switchgear to support both our datacentre and switchgear product portfolios.

This strategic role is responsible for driving innovation, ensuring design for manufacturability (DFM), and delivering high-performing, scalable products that meet evolving customer and industry demands.

The successful candidate will be a key member of the Engineering Management Team (SMT), shaping CEL’s technical roadmap and ensuring alignment with commercial and operational goals. The ideal candidate will bring extensive knowledge in electrical and mechanical product development and electrical systems.

What You'll Be Doing:

Strategy and Leadership:

· Define and execute the US R&D and Product Development strategy to align with our growth objectives.

· Lead a high-performing engineering team across multiple disciplines (electrical, mechanical, controls).

· Collaborate with peer teams across the business to ensure seamless product lifecycle management.

Product Development:

· Own the end-to-end R&D / Product Development process from concept to launch.

· Utilise FOK methodology to ensure the proposed design meets production Takt Time, Quality and Technical specifications.

· Drive innovation in switchgear design, focusing on modularity, scalability, and performance.

· Ensure all products meet global standards and customer specifications with regular compliance reviews.

Process & Systems:

· Implement robust DFM and NPI processes to support efficient supplier manufacturing processes, in-house assembly methods and integration to existing production flows.

· Sustain CI methods, using Lean Principles and AI tools, to deliver process efficiencies in engineering.

· Develop and maintain engineering documentation, designs, BOMs, and design validation protocols.

Collaboration & Integration:

· Work closely with our Irish teams to standardize processes and develop a unified “One-CEL” approach.

· Support the business to align engineering outputs with customer projects, supply chain, production and project management capabilities.

Compliance & Quality:

· Ensure all designs comply with customer requirements, industry standards and regulatory requirements.

· Champion Quality Assurance throughout the design, development and implementation phases.

· Assume full responsibility and a committed focus on delivering ‘Best-in-Class’ products for customers.

· Streamline engineering systems, optimise workflows to reduce waste and improve throughput.

· Provide accurate, timely and consistent engineering reports, identifying clear escalation paths / solutions.

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

· 5+ yrs experience in engineering leadership roles within switchgear, power systems or related industries.

· Experience in high-growth / transformation environments is highly desirable – switchgear, automotive or aerospace experience is appropriate for this role.

· Proven track record in R&D, product development, and innovation.

· Strong understanding of Lean Manufacturing, DFM, and CI methodologies.

· Utilise a hands-on, collaborative leadership style to your team, leading by example at all times.

· Build, mentor, and lead a team fostering a culture of accountability, safety, and operational discipline.

· Deep commercial awareness with the ability to produce economically viable and repeatable designs.

· Excellent leadership, communication, interpersonal and change management skills.

· Demonstrated commitment to ensure our business goals and your functional goals are met / exceeded.

· Highly energetic and curious with the ability to empower your teams to ‘push-the-envelope’ to drive CEL to be the best supplier in our industry.

· Strategic thinker with a hands-on approach, with strong analytical skills which drive decision making.

CEL Critical Power – Powering the AI Revolution:

CEL has an opportunity for you to join our rapidly growing US business, where you will have an opportunity to make a significant impact on our immediate and long-term success of our Supply Chain function.

CEL is an Irish based 40-year manufacturer, distributor and exporter of electrical switchgear and controls, and related products and services, now focused on the supplying the global Data Centre industry.

Operating from our newly acquired 400,000ft2 facility in Williamsburg, Virginia, we aim to double in size each year for the next three years.

CEL is led by a hard-working team who follow traditional working practices, value collaboration, continuous improvement, excellence in quality and commercial curiosity; this is your chance to develop your career as part of a dynamic US SMT who will shape the future of our business.

We strongly believe that seeking out and hiring the most diverse talent and creating an inclusive workplace is the way to create an exceptional and innovative workplace for our employees which will deliver excellence in service to our customers.

We encourage applications from people with diverse backgrounds and experience to join this multicultural, hard-working team.