Director of Mechanical Engineering

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Direct message the job poster from Virginia Transformer Corp

At Virginia Transformer
, we’re not just manufacturing custom transformers — we’re building power solutions that move the world. As a privately held, organically growing company
, we thrive on momentum, innovation, and grit.

If you love the thrill of manufacturing, the strategy of an endurance race, and the energy of a fast-moving train — this is your track. We train hard, grow together, and lead with purpose. Every transformer we build is custom, every challenge unique, and every team member essential.

We’re looking for those ready to lead, fueled by commitment, and driven by impact.
One team. One mission. One source.

Job Title:
Director of Mechanical Engineering

Location: Roanoke, VA (On-site, with regular travel to multiple U.S. plants)

Virginia Transformer Corporation is seeking a hands-on Director of Mechanical Engineering to lead the mechanical design and development function across six manufacturing plants. The ideal candidate will bring deep technical expertise in mechanical systems, metallurgy, and polymers
, along with strong leadership experience in custom electromechanical equipment design.

This role will be responsible for standardizing design practices, improving manufacturability, and ensuring all mechanical designs meet rigorous standards of quality, performance, and safety. You will collaborate closely with plant-level engineering teams, corporate R&D, sourcing, and vendor quality to drive innovation, consistency, and cost optimization across the organization.

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of mechanical design engineers across multiple sites, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure consistent application of the mechanical design manual and design standards across all six plants.
• Partner with corporate R&D to advance new mechanical design initiatives and introduce innovative materials, features, and product enhancements.
• Define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) for the design teams, driving measurable improvement in design quality, efficiency, and throughput.
• Oversee the design and development of mechanical assemblies
  , ensuring manufacturability, reliability, and cost-effectiveness.
• Provide direct, hands‑on technical support when needed — including concept development, modeling, and problem‑solving for complex design challenges.
• Apply deep understanding of metallurgy, polymers, and material properties to improve product performance, longevity, and thermal characteristics.
• Establish, update, and enforce design automation and process assurance systems to maintain consistency and reduce variability in mechanical design outputs.
• Review and approve detailed mechanical drawings, design calculations, and documentation for accuracy and compliance with internal and industry standards.

• Partner with Sourcing and Vendor Quality Assurance to qualify suppliers and evaluate materials or components for new or alternative sourcing.
• Participate in design reviews
  , non‑conformance investigations (NCRs), and root cause/corrective action efforts to resolve mechanical and manufacturing issues.
• Work closely with plant management and production teams to ensure mechanical designs support operational goals and manufacturability.
• Collaborate with Safety and Compliance functions to ensure adherence to industry, regulatory, and environmental standards
  .

• Bachelors degree in mechanical engineering, Master’s degree in mechanical engineering preferred
  . PE is a plus.
• Minimum 15‑20 years of experience in thermo‑mechanical design of custom electromechanical equipment
  , with at least 5 years in a senior management or multi‑site leadership role
  .
• Proven background in metallurgy, polymers, material science, or industrial product design from manufacturing, energy, aerospace, rail, or related industries.
• Strong knowledge of FEA/FEM analytical tools
  ,…