Principal Switchgear Design Engineer, Protection & Control

Location: Dayton, OH
Compensation: Competitive base salary + performance bonus

Kintara has teamed up with a fast-scaling manufacturer of custom low- and medium-voltage switchgear and electrical distribution solutions serving industrial, utility, and commercial clients nationwide. We’re seeking a hands-on technical leader to own designs from customer specification through manufacturing release and field start-up.

Your morning might begin by refining a three-line diagram for a medium-voltage lineup, then shifting into configuring SEL relays for a protection scheme. After lunch, you’ll collaborate with mechanical and production teams to resolve a wiring detail, review a junior engineer’s schematics, and finalize manufacturing documentation for an upcoming build. You close the day by updating coordination studies and ensuring compliance with UL 891, UL 1558, ANSI C37, IEEE, and NEC before approving the design package.

• Own electrical designs for custom low- and medium-voltage switchgear and power distribution assemblies.
• Produce and maintain single-line, three-line, control schematics, and detailed wiring drawings.
• Convert customer specifications into complete, manufacturable electrical design packages and BOMs.
• Configure and program protective relays and controls (SEL, ABB, Siemens, Schneider Electric).
• Perform short-circuit, protective device coordination, and arc flash studies using SKM, ETAP, or EasyPower.
• Review and validate designs for accuracy, reliability, and standards compliance.
• Apply UL 891, UL 1558, ANSI C37, IEEE, and NEC throughout the design lifecycle.
• Partner with mechanical engineering, production, and project management to ensure build readiness and on-time delivery.
• Support manufacturing, testing, troubleshooting, and field commissioning.
• Approve drawings and complete design packages prior to release to the factory.
• Mentor junior engineers and drafters; help define consistent engineering practices.
• Continuously improve design efficiency, documentation quality, and engineering workflows.
• Balance multiple active projects while meeting quality and schedule commitments.

• Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering (or closely related discipline).
• 5–10+ years in electrical engineering focused on switchgear, power distribution, or industrial electrical systems.
• Expertise in low- and medium-voltage switchgear, protection, and control.
• Proven ability to create single-line, three-line, control, and wiring diagrams.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD Electrical or equivalent design platforms.
• Hands-on relay configuration/programming with SEL, ABB, Siemens, or Schneider Electric.
• Background in short-circuit analysis, protective coordination, and arc flash calculations.
• Working knowledge of UL 891, UL 1558, ANSI C37, IEEE, and NEC.
• Skill translating customer specs into manufacturable designs.
• Strong troubleshooting skills with electrical equipment and control systems.
• Comfort collaborating with manufacturing, testing, and project management.
• Experience leading reviews, mentoring, or serving as a technical go-to.
• Clear communication and organization across multiple concurrent projects.
• PE license or ability to obtain within 12 months preferred; Master’s in EE a plus.

• Competitive base salary plus bonus.
• Health and dental insurance.
• SIMPLE IRA with employer match.
• Paid time off and holidays.
• High ownership of engineering decisions and product direction.
• Custom projects for customers across the U.S.
• Close collaboration with engineering, manufacturing, and project teams.
• Clear path to long-term advancement and technical leadership.

Instead of touching a single phase of the process, you’ll guide designs end-to-endrequirements, drawings, studies, programming, manufacturing, test, and final delivery. If you enjoy solving complex electrical challenges, partnering tightly with production, and mentoring up-and-coming engineers, this role gives you meaningful ownership and room to grow.