Product Reliability Manager - Royal Switchgear

Headquartered in Fort Mill, South Carolina, MacLean Power Systems (MPS) is a leading manufacturer of mission-critical and engineered components for the electric utility, telecommunications, and civil markets. Established in 1986 as a subsidiary of a larger parent company, MPS has grown substantially and now operates as a standalone company. A dedicated workforce of over 2,000 team members worldwide, MPS is renowned for its commitment to quality, responsiveness, and safety. Our focus on vertical integration ensures the highest standards across our product lines. We operate seventeen production facilities across North America and continually invest in our manufacturing capabilities to better serve our customers.

At MPS, we strive to create a workplace that embodies respect, openness, collaboration, personal growth, and entrepreneurship. We are committed to achieving excellence in Environmental, Health & Safety through our Mission Zero initiative.

Take your next career step with Royal Switchgear Manufacturing (a Maclean Power Systems Company), a leader in engineering, design, and manufacturing of critical electrical infrastructure solutions. As we continue to grow, we are seeking an Product Reliability Engineer who is responsible for focusing on improving product reliability, durability, and performance of Royal Switchgear products. The successful candidate will be a results-oriented team player with strong analytical skills, a process improvement mindset, detail orientation, and excellent verbal and written communication abilities.

Location: Onsite - Bessemer, Alabama

What You’ll Do

• Lead product reliability strategy: set reliability targets, perform FMEA, Weibull and life-data analysis (MTBF/MTTR) for switchgear products and components.

• Design test programs for components and complete assemblies (HALT/HASS, accelerated life test, thermal cycling, vibration, electrical endurance, dielectric/insulation tests).

• Specify, design, and build custom test apparatus, fixtures, and jigs required to replicate field stresses and validation scenarios.

• Set up, commission, and operate test rigs and instrumentation (data acquisition, environmental chambers, power supplies, relays, load banks).

• Develop test procedures, protocols, and pass/fail criteria; ensure repeatability, traceability, and calibration of test equipment.

• Execute tests, capture and analyze test data, produce detailed test reports, and translate findings into actionable design changes.

• Lead root-cause analysis on product failures and field returns; recommend design, material, or process changes and verify fixes via testing.

• Collaborate closely with design engineering, product validation, and manufacturing to incorporate DfR/DfM practices and plan design verification.

• Maintain reliability documentation: test plans, life-cycle predictions, reliability databases, and validation evidence for product sign-off.

• Support new product introduction with reliability verification, test campaigns, and acceptance criteria.

• Train engineering and lab technicians on test setups, safety, and data collection best practices.

• Manage external test labs and vendor testing when needed; oversee third-party test contracts and coordinate sample logistics.

What You’ll Need to Excel in This Role

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Reliability Engineering, or related discipline.

• 3+ years’ experience in product reliability, test engineering, or design validation—preferably with switchgear, breakers, relays, or power distribution equipment.

• Proven experience designing test apparatus, fixtures, and setting up/operating reliability test rigs.

• Strong knowledge of reliability methods (FMEA, RCM, Weibull), environmental and electrical testing standards.

• Hands-on proficiency with data acquisition systems, instrumentation, environmental chambers, and test automation.

• Ability to interpret electrical/mechanical drawings, specify components, and prototype fixtures.

• Strong analytical skills (Excel, Minitab, or equivalent) and experience writing clear test reports.

• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Preferred

• Experience with HALT/HASS, accelerated aging, and accelerated life test design.

• Familiarity with relevant standards (IEC, IEEE) for switchgear and insulation testing.

• Experience with LabVIEW, Python, or test automation tools.

• Six Sigma or reliability-centered maintenance exposure.

Competencies/Skills

• Strong computer skills in Excel, Word, MS Office suite

• Strong analytical skills with a high-level of attention to detail and business process

• Strong skills in developing and presenting performance metrics reports

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to work with others

• Ability to gather, analyze, and interpret data

• Ability to prepare and present comprehensive reports

• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, including preparing and presenting information

• Ability to work independently and be self-directed as needed

• WMS experience and knowledge preferred

• ERP system knowledge (JD Edwards preferred)

Working Conditions

• Primarily engineering lab and office environment with regular hands-on work in test labs; occasional shop-floor or customer site visits.

• Must follow safety procedures when working with high-voltage test equipment and environmental chambers.

Total Rewards Offering:

MPS offers a competitive compensation package; including a bonus potential based on company performance and a dynamic work environment that encourages creativity, innovation, and professional growth. A comprehensive benefits package including Medical, Dental, and Vision, 401k with employer match, employer-paid disability and more...

For Us, For Family. Surround yourself with fun, energetic, and hard-working professionals who are dedicated to achieving Mission Zero; zero safety or environmental incidents.

EOE-Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran

Various agencies of the United States Government require employers to maintain information on applicants pertaining to factors such as race, sex, and type of position for which an individual applies. The information requested is voluntary and for compliance with certain record keeping requirements. MacLean Power, LLC has a long-standing commitment to equal employment opportunity for all its associates and applicants for employment. MacLean Power, LLC believes all persons are entitled to equal employment opportunities and does not discriminate against its employees or applicants for employment because of race, color, gender, affectional or sexual orientation, domestic partnership status, ancestry, religion, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, disability, veteran status, age or any other protected group status.

All job offers are conditional, upon successful completion of pre-employment screening, including criminal checks, drug testing, employment, and education verification.