Senior Design Engineer / Engineering Manager

High-Voltage / Medium-Voltage Power Transformers
Location: California (preferred) or Remote (U.S.) with periodic travel

The Opportunity

root/edge is partnering with a venture-backed, high-growth power equipment company that is building a new transformer platform for the U.S. grid. This organization designs and delivers utility-grade equipment that meets strict U.S. standards, while operating with the speed, ownership mindset, and accountability of a startup.

This role is ideal for an experienced transformer engineer who wants to drive innovation, shape product direction, and have real influence—not just review drawings. You will serve as a senior technical leader and subject-matter expert, helping translate U.S. market requirements into clear direction for global engineering and manufacturing teams.

Candidates with broad depth across electrical, mechanical, and controls disciplines—and who enjoy operating across functions—will be especially strong fits.

What You Will Do

• Review, challenge, and refine high-voltage power transformer designs for U.S. utilities and developers

• Apply deep knowledge of U.S. design practices, standards, and qualification requirements

• Translate customer and utility specifications into clear, actionable engineering guidance for global design and manufacturing teams

• Evaluate electrical design elements, including:

  • Core and coil design

  • Insulation coordination

  • Short-circuit withstand performance

  • Losses, impedance, and dielectric behavior

• Assess mechanical design elements, including:

  • Tank and structural design

  • Cooling systems

  • Bushings and mounting hardware

  • Vibration and mechanical stress management

• Oversee controls and monitoring integration, including:

  • Sensors and instrumentation

  • Temperature and gas monitoring

  • Protection interfaces

  • Tap changer controls and digital transformer technologies

• Ensure designs are manufacturable and repeatable across multiple production locations

• Support type testing, factory acceptance testing (FAT), and U.S. product qualification

• Partner with sourcing, quality, and production teams to ensure materials and processes meet U.S. utility expectations

• Collaborate with applications engineering and commercial teams to resolve customer questions and technical challenges

• Help build internal design rules, engineering standards, and review processes as the organization scales

• Over time, mentor junior engineers and contribute to a strong, practical engineering culture

• Bring a startup mindset—helping build systems, tools, and processes from the ground up

Required Experience

• 8+ years of experience in high-voltage power transformer design and/or engineering leadership

• Strong, well-rounded engineering depth across electrical, mechanical, and controls domains

• Deep understanding of how transformers are designed, validated, and manufactured for the U.S. market

• Familiarity with IEEE, ANSI, and utility-specific standards and requirements

• Proven ability to review complete transformer designs and identify risks, gaps, and improvement opportunities

• Experience adapting global or legacy designs to meet U.S. customer and utility needs

• Comfort working with international engineering and manufacturing teams

• Clear communicator with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to both internal teams and external customers

• Experience in a startup, scale-up, or new-product environment—or a strong interest in working in one and willingness to roll up your sleeves

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering preferred

  • Mechanical or controls backgrounds with deep transformer experience will also be considered

Why This Role

• Influence the technical direction of a new transformer platform purpose-built for the U.S. grid

• Work at the intersection of engineering, manufacturing, and product strategy

• Join a high-growth, venture-backed organization where speed and engineering excellence matter

• Have a direct, visible impact on how critical grid infrastructure is delivered over the next decade

About root/edge
root/edge is a boutique recruiting and advisory firm focused on the energy transition, power infrastructure, and advanced technology markets. We partner closely with founders and leadership teams to build critical technical and commercial talent.