Manager R&D Mechanical Engineer Jobs in Kalispell, MT

This position requires that you must be a US Citizen for consideration and meet all Federal Contractor employee requirements. Nomad GCS does not support the H1B Visa for this position.

Position: Electrical Engineer III
Division: Innovative Solutions Group
Department: Electrical Engineering
Status: Full-time

Nomad GCS is currently seeking a Level III Electrical Engineer. Please note the Level III Expectation in red below.

Overview: Nomad Global Communication Solutions (Nomad GCS) is a leading provider of communication and response products serving a wide range of customers. Our purpose is to be the solution when every minute matters. We are seeking Electrical Engineers to help design, develop, and support the electrical systems that power Nomad's mission-critical platforms.

Electrical Engineers at Nomad GCS are responsible for the design, documentation, testing, and support of electrical systems including low-voltage (12V/24V DC), high-voltage (120V/240V AC), control systems, power distribution, communications, and integration with mechanical and IT subsystems. Engineers collaborate closely with Manufacturing, IT Integration, Quality, and Program Management to ensure safe, reliable, and manufacturable designs.

Depending on level (I-V), Engineers progress from learning foundational engineering practices and supporting designs to independently leading complex system architectures, mentoring others, and driving technical strategy across the organization.

Career Growth: Electrical Engineers at Nomad GCS progress through five levels based on demonstrated technical mastery, independence, leadership, and impact. Advancement is supported through mentorship, project ownership, and alignment with Nomad's Core Values.

Organizational Structure: Engineering is organized into Teams and Disciplines within the Innovative Solutions Division.

Teams:

o Team 1 - Standards and Modularity: Builds and maintains engineering standards, modules, templates, and rules enabling repeatability and scale.

o Team 2 - Design: Executes project-level engineering using established standards and less complex custom configurations.

o Team 3 - Advanced: Develops novel systems and resolves first-of-kind engineering challenges.

o Team 4 - Manufacturing & Industrial Engineering: Ensures manufacturability, safety, engineering intent, efficiency, and continuous improvement throughout Production.

Disciplines:

o Mechanical Engineering

o Electrical Engineering (where this role is located)

o IT Engineering

o Human Factors Engineering

o Software Engineering

An Electrical Engineer may be temporarily assigned to one or more of the four Teams and support Standards and Modularity, Design Engineering, Advanced Engineering, and/or Manufacturing & Industrial Engineering.

Core Responsibilities - All Levels:

• Design, develop, and support electrical systems for Nomad vehicles and platforms.
• Create and maintain electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and CAD documentation.
• Ensure designs comply with applicable electrical codes, safety standards, and customer requirements.
• Support manufacturing by answering technical questions, resolving build issues, and improving design clarity.
• Participate in design reviews, testing, validation, and root cause analysis.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Mechanical Engineering, IT Integration, Human Factor Engineering, Software Engineering, Production, Quality, and Project Management teams.
• Apply continuous improvement principles to improve product quality, reliability, and manufacturability.
• Uphold and model Nomad Core Values in all work.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Level Expectations:

Electrical Engineer l - Entry / Developing

• Support senior engineers with electrical design tasks and documentation.
• Exposure to at least one full product lifecycle phase (design, build, test, or release).
• Create and update schematics, wiring diagrams, and bills of material under supervision.
• Hands-on experience with basic ECAD tools (schematics, wire harnesses, revisions).
• Learn Nomad electrical standards, drawing conventions, and design processes.
• Familiarity with standard Nomad equipment (multimeter, oscilloscope, power supplies) under guidance.
• Assist with prototype builds, testing, and validation activities.
• Experience following established procedures, checklists, and engineering change processes.
• Respond to basic manufacturing questions with guidance.
• Demonstrated ability to incorporate feedback and correct design or documentation errors.
• Develop foundational knowledge of AC/DC systems, power distribution, grounding, and protection.
• Work under close supervision while building technical competence and confidence.
• Academic or project-based experience applying fundamental electrical theory to real hardware.
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field or 2-5 years Electrical Engineering experience.
• 0-2 years electrical engineering experience.

Progression signal: Learns quickly, reduces rework, and increasingly completes tasks correctly on the first pass.

Electrical Engineer ll - Independent Contributor

• Independently design electrical subsystems and assemblies for assigned projects.
• Experience owning electrical design tasks end-to-end for small to mid-sized subsystems.
• Create complete, production-ready electrical drawings and documentation.
• Hands-on involvement with prototype builds, bring-up, and failure investigation.
• Experience releasing designs to manufacturing and supporting early production.
• Regular use of applicable electrical codes and standards (e.g., NEC, UL, IEC) with minimal oversight. Apply electrical codes, standards, and best practices to designs.
• Support manufacturing troubleshooting and resolve moderate design issues.
• Participate actively in design reviews and cross-functional collaboration.
• Perform basic system-level testing and validation.
• Demonstrate consistent quality, organization, and accountability in deliverables.
• Demonstrated ability to estimate effort, manage priorities, and meet engineering schedules.
• Effective written and verbal communication with manufacturing, supply chain, and peers.
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field or 2-5 years electrical / system engineering; industry experience preferred.
• 2-5 years electrical engineering experience.

Progression signal: Can be trusted to deliver correct, manufacturable designs without close supervision.

Electrical Engineer lll - Advanced / System-Level

• Lead electrical design for complete systems or major subsystems.
• Ownership of system-level trade studies (cost, performance, safety, reliability). Architect power distribution, control, and communication systems across platforms.
• Troubleshoot complex electrical issues and lead root cause analysis efforts, including leading technical problem-solving during production or field failures. Experience reviewing and approving other engineers' designs.
• Optimize designs for manufacturability, serviceability, and cost.
• Mentor Electrical Engineer I-II team members on technical and process topics.
• Interface directly with customers, suppliers, or regulatory bodies as needed.
• Demonstrate strong technical judgment and cross-functional leadership.
• Demonstrated system-level ownership.
• 5-8 years electrical / system engineering experience.

Progression signal: Regularly anticipates issues before they occur and raises the technical bar for the team.

Electrical Engineer IV - Senior / Technical Lead

• Own electrical system architecture across multiple product lines or platforms. Set electrical design standards, guidelines, and best practices for the organization.
• Experience defining system architectures reused across multiple products or programs.
• Lead high-risk or highly complex engineering efforts from concept through production.
• Deep familiarity with compliance, certification, and safety-critical design processes.
• Ownership of technical decision-making where failure would have significant cost or safety impact.
• Experience balancing competing constraints (schedule, cost, performance, manufacturability).
• Drive design decisions impacting safety, reliability, compliance, and scalability.
• Serve as a primary technical authority for electrical systems at Nomad GCS.
• Coach and mentor engineers across all levels.
• Influence engineering strategy, tooling, and long-term technical direction.
• Recognized internally as a go-to expert for complex electrical challenges.
• Proven technical knowledge.
• 8-12+ years advanced electrical engineering experience.

Progression signal: Others rely on this engineer's judgment to make irreversible or high-impact decisions.

Electrical Engineer V - Principal / Strategic Leader

• Define and evolve Nomad's long-term electrical engineering strategy.
• Lead cross-disciplinary technical initiatives spanning engineering, manufacturing, and product strategy.
• Serve as the highest-level technical authority for electrical systems and integration.
• Drive innovation, technology adoption, and platform-level design evolution.
• Demonstrated impact on long-term platform, technology, or architectural direction.
• Experience leading multi-year technical initiatives with cross-functional dependency.
• Proven ability to evaluate and adopt new technologies aligned with business strategy.
• Mentor senior engineers and develop future technical leaders.
• Represent Nomad GCS in high-level customer, partner, or industry engagements.
• Balance deep technical contribution with organizational leadership and influence.
• Ability to translate business objectives into technical roadmaps and execution plans.
• Recognized subject matter authority.
• 12+ years' experience with organizational technical leadership.

Progression signal: Shapes what the organization builds next-not just how it builds today.

Basic Knowledge Progression:

• Level l: Foundational understanding of electrical theory, documentation, and standards.
• Level ll: Strong working knowledge of AC/DC systems, codes, and manufacturing support.
• Level lll: System-level expertise and troubleshooting mastery.
• Level lV: Platform-level architecture and technical leadership.
• Level V: Enterprise-level strategy, innovation, and mentorship.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering or related field preferred. Degree must be ABET accredited.
• Must have experience with SolidWorks Electrical or similar.

Physical Demands:

• Ability to stand and sit for extended periods.
• Manual dexterity to operate office equipment.
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.

• Occasional climbing or hands-on testing activities.
• Ability to work in office, shop, and vehicle environments as needed.
• Ability to work safely around energized systems when required.
• Must be able to travel as needed on occasion.

Working Environment:

• Combination of office, production floor, and vehicle-based environments.
• Exposure to manufacturing noise, electrical equipment, and testing environments.
• PPE required when entering production or testing areas.

Nomad GCS is an equal opportunity employer, (EOE,) and voluntarily follows affirmative action guidelines. As an equal opportunity employer, Nomad GCS does not discriminate in its employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable state and local laws.