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, MPS operates as a standalone company with a dedicated workforce of over 2,000 team members worldwide, renowned for its commitment to quality, responsiveness, and safety. Royal Switchgear, an MPS Company, specializes in engineering, design, and manufacturing of critical electrical infrastructure solutions.

About the role

The Product Reliability Manager will focus on improving product reliability, durability, and performance of Royal Switchgear products. This role requires a results-oriented team player with strong analytical skills, a process improvement mindset, and excellent communication abilities.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Requirements

• 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 Qualifications

• 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.

Skills

• Strong computer skills in Excel, Word, MS Office suite.
• Strong analytical skills with a high level of attention to detail and business process.
• Ability to develop and present 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.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation package with bonus potential based on company performance.
• Comprehensive benefits including Medical, Dental, and Vision.
• 401k with employer match.
• Employer-paid disability.