Electrical Engineer Lead

Johnson Outdoors • Eufaula, AL

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Lead Electrical Engineer supports the future growth of Johnson Outdoors and its Fishing brands within the Engineering/R&D function. Based at the company’s manufacturing facility on the shores of Lake Eufaula, Alabama, this role performs complex electronic design and development for new products from conception through production release and improves existing products. The position has responsibility for overall product designs, leads a development team in designing, implementing, and testing product platforms, and provides production support.

The role provides technical oversight and guidance, leads project teams and manages schedules, milestones, and priorities. It develops product designs and specifications, prototypes and tests designs, evaluates feasibility and reliability, troubleshoots issues, and coordinates with internal teams, vendors, suppliers, and operations to support product development and production. The position also creates project documentation and contributes to manufacturing and tooling plans, cost estimates, and production capacity forecasting.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering (BSEE), electronics engineering (BSET), or equivalent.
• Typically at least 7 years of experience in electrical design engineering within consumer product design.
• Advanced knowledge and skills in designing, evaluating, and testing electronic and/or electrical circuits and components.
• Demonstrated ability to lead engineers and provide technical guidance on electrical component design and implementation.
• Knowledge of and experience reading and drawing schematics.
• Advanced understanding and experience in product development from concept through production, including the new product process, financial modeling (EVA), and timeline management.
• Proven experience generating and designing concepts and executing them as manufacturing designs.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex projects from concept to completion.
• Creativity, with strong analytical and technical expertise.
• Excellent communication skills for collaboration with internal teams and external contacts.
• Ability to take ownership and work with limited direction.
• Advanced proficiency with computer-based analysis, simulation, and design tools.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily technical oversight, engineering design guidance, and coaching to employees; coordinate activities, priorities, and work schedules.
• Lead project teams from conception to completion, managing plans, milestones, assignments, and successful product launches.
• Evaluate designs and project activities for compliance with technology and development guidelines, and provide feedback to improve product quality.
• Research and recommend vendors and oversee vendor activities.
• Create innovative product designs based on company strategy and needs, taking concepts through development and initial production; maintain timelines and design improvements to existing products.
• Recommend manufacturing and design fabrication or construction methods, troubleshoot design obstructions, and develop cost-effective solutions.
• Design, experiment with, and fabricate rapid and conventional prototypes; evaluate prototype performance and reliability.
• Write product specifications and prepare print documentation and testing verification methods; ensure products meet specifications and publish test results.
• Conduct and document technical feasibility evaluations, qualifications, field testing, and competitive testing; formulate development, unit, and tooling cost estimates.
• Troubleshoot electrical and electronic design issues during development and after production starts, collaborating with internal teams to resolve issues and support product quality and consumer needs.
• Produce project documentation, including prints, engineering files, supplier communications, and Engineering Change Orders (ECOs).
• Assist operations and outside suppliers during new product development with tooling, process methods, assembly plans, and capacity forecasting.
• May provide input into performance evaluations and hiring and termination decisions.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary with additional earning potential through cash profit sharing and eligibility for annual pay increases.
• Paid time off and holiday benefits.
• Full benefits package and employee support, fitness, and wellness plans.
• Performance development and training opportunities, including tuition assistance.
• Collaborative, casual work environment and company events.
• Employee discounts on outdoor recreational products.
• 401(k) with company match and deferred retirement contributions.
• Sons & Daughters Scholarship program and college savings program.
• Life and LTD insurance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior