Manager, Electrical Engineering

Job Purpose

The Manager, Electrical Engineering is responsible for the electrical systems of the KARNO generator, including high-voltage power electronics, battery systems, low- and high-voltage architecture, wiring harnesses, and the hardware that converts linear motion into electrical output. This is a working manager role: the position leads and develops a team of electrical engineers while remaining directly involved in technical execution, including circuit architecture, schematic review, and hardware bring-up in the lab. The Manager is accountable for the technical excellence, safety, and reliability of the electrical engineering function, and for establishing the design standards and review practices the team works to. The position plans team capacity, owns hiring and development for the electrical engineering staff, and partners with mechanical, controls, supply chain, and program management on system integration. KARNO systems are deployed in data center, military, and industrial applications.

 

AI at Hyliion

At Hyliion, AI is core to how we work. We equip every team member with leading AI tools and count on you to use them — to move faster, solve harder problems, and help us realize the full potential of KARNO technology for the world.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

• Own critical electrical designs personally, including regular time at the bench and in the test cell, while leading the team as a practicing engineer.
• Lead the electrical engineering team in the design and development of KARNO generator electrical systems, including high-voltage power electronics, battery systems, linear generator power stages, and low-voltage controls hardware, ensuring effective integration with mechanical, electromechanical, and control elements.
• Architect and oversee the design and execution of electrical hardware, control modules, and system-level solutions, ensuring a cohesive and integrated development approach.
• Integrate electrical and control modules into final products and collaborate with suppliers to ensure compliance with quality, performance, and safety requirements.
• Define electrical design requirements and technical best practices, ensuring both electrical and control components align with industry standards for hybrid power generation.
• Translate system requirements into electrical system- and sub-system specifications, supporting seamless integration across industrial and commercial applications.
• Lead, coach, and develop the electrical engineering team, fostering a collaborative, innovative, and high-performing work environment.
• Own hiring, onboarding, performance management, and career development for electrical engineers, including setting individual goals and conducting regular performance reviews.
• Plan team capacity and assign engineering work across programs, balancing workload, skill development, and technical priorities.
• Establish and maintain electrical engineering standards, design review practices, and documentation processes across the team.
• Ensure compliance with applicable safety and regulatory standards for electrical systems used in hybrid generator products.
• Serve as the electrical engineering point of contact for program management and cross-functional teams, including mechanical, controls, and supply chain, providing technical input, effort estimates, and engineering deliverables.
• Lead technical issue resolution at the hardware and component level, working hands-on in the lab, organizing troubleshooting efforts, conducting root cause analysis, and implementing corrective actions to improve system reliability.
• Achieve system cost targets through design optimization, module consolidation, and strategic supplier selection for production components.
• Provide technical direction to electrical component suppliers in support of design, prototyping, and testing, in partnership with supply chain.
• Lead the development of quality and validation documentation, including FMEAs and DVP&Rs, to ensure system reliability and safety.
• Personally develop and review schematics and release drawings for low- and high-voltage wiring harnesses and associated electrical systems.
• Provide strategic direction for electrical design decisions, ensuring electrical components meet performance, cost, and regulatory requirements for industrial and commercial use.
• Additional duties and responsibilities as assigned, needed, or required for the business.

 

Qualifications

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Qualifications include:

• Education, Experience and Certifications
  • Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering.
  • 10+ years of hands-on electrical engineering experience, including 3+ years leading or managing engineers while remaining technically active.
  • Track record of delivering electrical hardware, including power electronics, high-voltage systems, or electromechanical products, from concept through production.
• Skills and Abilities
  • Hands-on electrical engineering capability, including circuit design, hardware build and test, and bench-level debugging, combined with the ability to lead and develop a team.
  • High-voltage power electronics design, including AC/DC and DC/DC converters and battery systems.
  • Low- and high-voltage wiring harness design.
  • Electrical hardware architecture and circuit design for electromechanical systems.
  • Knowledge of and compliance with applicable electrical and safety standards.
  • Experience with real-time control systems, including PLCs and microcontrollers.
  • Systems engineering and structured product development processes.
  • Electrical hardware design, optimization, and cost reduction.
  • Prototyping, testing, and validation using tools such as FMEA and DVP&R.
  • Technical engagement with suppliers of electrical components.
  • Definition of high-level design requirements and internal engineering standards.
  • Hiring, performance management, and career development of engineering staff.
  • Ability to balance cost, performance, and regulatory requirements.
  • Familiarity with relevant electrical safety standards, including IEC and UL.
  • Ability to translate customer and system requirements into clear product specifications.
  • Quality assurance and control for electrical and control systems.
  • Promotion of creative problem-solving within multidisciplinary teams.
  • Clear communication of technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
  • Effective cross-functional collaboration across engineering disciplines.
  • Strong analytical skills for diagnosing and resolving complex technical issues.
  • Leadership in root cause analysis and implementation of corrective actions.
  • Mentoring and coaching of electrical engineers.
  • Building and leading high-performing engineering teams.
  • Bias for action and comfort with the pace and ambiguity of bringing a first-of-its-kind product to market.

 

Role Classification and Working Conditions

This is a salaried, exempt-level position. This position typically works in a production/assembly/engineering lab environment.

 

Physical/Other Requirements

• Ability to lift and/or move up to 30 pounds.
• Ability to travel, as needed, by plane, automobile, etc.

 

Direct Reports

This position has or may have direct reports.