POSITION SUMMARY
Rise Power Systems, a division of SMT, Inc., is seeking a Product Owner - Director of Engineering- Critical Power. This role combines product ownership, mechanical engineering leadership, and organizational development to lead the design and execution of mission-critical power distribution equipment, including Switchboards, MCCs, ATS, and related low-voltage electrical systems. The position bridges customer needs, product strategy, engineering execution, and manufacturing to deliver scalable, compliant, and manufacturable product platforms while building and leading the mechanical engineering function over time.
Key Responsibilities
Product Ownership & Strategy
Define product vision, roadmap, and lifecycle strategy for low-voltage power distribution equipment
Own and prioritize product development initiatives in partnership with Product Management, Sales, and Operations
Translate customer and market requirements into detailed technical product specifications
Drive platform standardization and modular product architecture to improve scalability and reduce engineering lead time
Support customer engagement, technical reviews, and go-to-market activities including documentation, training, and product positioning
Mechanical Engineering Leadership
Lead mechanical engineering activities for enclosures, busbar systems, cable management, structural assemblies, and thermal solutions
Establish mechanical engineering standards, design practices, and development processes
Develop and review CAD models, drawings, and BOMs for production
Ensure designs meet requirements for thermal performance, structural integrity, manufacturability, and serviceability
Drive design-for-manufacturing (DFM), cost optimization, and continuous improvement initiatives
Build and lead the mechanical engineering team as the organization grows
Cross-Functional Execution
Collaborate closely with electrical engineering, manufacturing, sourcing, quality, and field service teams
Lead design reviews and coordinate execution across disciplines
Oversee prototyping, testing, validation, and product release activities
Support project execution for custom and standard product configurations
Manage engineering changes and continuous product improvement efforts
Compliance & Quality
Ensure products meet applicable UL, NEC, IEC, and ANSI standards
Support certification activities, testing, and regulatory submissions
Monitor field performance and lead root cause analysis and corrective actions
Establish robust documentation and quality processes to support scalable growth
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering required; advanced degree preferred
8+ years of experience in power distribution equipment, switchgear, or related low-voltage electrical products
Experience leading mechanical engineering development for mission-critical electrical equipment
Strong understanding of PDUs, RPPs, switchboards, busbar systems, and thermal/mechanical design considerations
Experience with product ownership, platform development, or product strategy responsibilities
Proficiency with SolidWorks, PDM/PLM systems, and engineering documentation processes
Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive execution
Preferred Skills
Experience building or leading engineering teams
Knowledge of modular and scalable product architectures
Experience with busbar bracing, fault-current considerations, and thermal management
Familiarity with UL certification processes and seismic requirements (IEEE 693)
Experience supporting data center or other mission-critical infrastructure markets
Strong communication and customer-facing technical leadership skills
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