Major Capital Equipment, High Voltage Systems and On Site Generation Systems, Director - Electrical

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Job Summary

Under Global leadership, the Category Director manages multiple and complex categories for Major Capital Equipment (MCE), with cross-functional and regionally diverse scope.  Accountable for building and creating the category plan and managing the plan closely with leadership.  

Accountable for all scope for High Voltage, High/Medium Voltage Transformers, Protection & Control and Onsite Generation categories. Manages multiple and complex categories with cross-functional and regionally diverse teams up to executive staff. May participate in the development of the business strategy while impacting business direction through the development of innovative strategies or services. Accountable for building, creating and managing the category plan(s) for HV scope and affiliated product lines. Responsible for proactive communications to leadership regarding plan(s) performance and collaborating closely regarding SWOT areas.  Lead both regional and global category management functions. 

Responsibilities

Category Strategy 

• Drives a global perspective in determining and executing on category strategy

• Leads a vendor management strategy to reduce and consolidate global vendors for the category

• Develops, communicates and executes against consistent global procurement strategies and best practices

• Establishes and delivers procurement goals, metrics, and work plans to meet operational objectives

• Accountable for spend category management strategies and action plans

• Monitors and maintains full industry and market knowledge of category, suppliers, best practices, competitive landscape, etc. 

• Communicate and collaborate with all key stakeholders including executive level staff to ensure alignment of the overall strategy

• Communicate and implement strategy effectively throughout the relevant teams

Product Development 

• Leads global standardization and regional productization

• Establishes and delivers technical, engineering and procurement deliverables for products

• Drives cross-functional technical engagements with internal and external stakeholders

• Accountable for new product insertion implementation and process

• Ownership of full product lifecycle, from inception through general availability to end of life

• Drive product innovation and value engineering

Core System Expertise 

• Lead EQIX internal team and work with consulting and engineering design services for high-voltage (HV) switchgear, substation design, and power generation projects

• Advanced understanding of major substation design criteria and associated trade-offs for various topologies (Ring, BAAH, Sectionalized Bus, Double Bus Double Breaker, Single/Radial Bus, etc.) 

• Direct the development of resilient electrical infrastructure solutions, including substations, switchgear assemblies, modular substations, power distribution systems, generation facilities, and mid-high level complexity microgrid systems

• Manage full lifecycle of projects: scope definition, proposal development, budgeting, scheduling, execution, and quality assurance

• Act as primary procurement contact for utility interface, ensuring compliance with interconnection requirements, grid codes, and industry standards

• Cultivate and manage strategic internal and vendor relationships, driving collaboration and long-term partnerships

• Supervise multi-disciplinary teams, providing mentorship, technical oversight, and operational leadership

• Conduct quality checks and enforce adherence to Quality Management Systems (QMS) for all deliverables

• Support business development through proposal strategy, market assessments, and participation in client presentations and conferences

System Design & Engineering 

• Ability to review detailed electrical design documents, including single-line diagrams, grounding plans, equipment specifications, schematics, P&C control logic, and protection coordination studies

• Expertise in HV substation design, switchgear specification, transformers, protection relays and automation controllers 

• Application of IEEE and local electrical codes in system design and compliance reviews. 

Technology Evaluation & Selection 

• Skilled in comparing technical specifications, performance metrics, and lifecycle cost for transformers, HV switchgear, Steam Turbines and Generators 

• Experience conducting technology benchmarking and assessing emerging solutions for efficiency, resilience, and scalability

• Capability to assess firmware/software-based monitoring systems ESCADA, equipment monitoring solutions among others 

Vendor & OEM Engagement 

• Proven track record of technical due diligence during vendor selection processes

• Experience managing factory acceptance testing (FAT) and site acceptance testing (SAT) with OEM and contractor teams

Cost & Performance Analysis 

• Ability to perform total cost of ownership (TCO) analysis for critical power systems, factoring in CAPEX, OPEX, efficiency, and maintenance

• Skilled in identifying performance-to-cost trade-offs for large-scale deployments

• Proficiency in budget estimation, bid evaluation, and change order review for power infrastructure projects

Testing, Commissioning & Troubleshooting 

• Support integrated system commissioning for new and retrofit installations (substation upgrades/expansion)

• Understanding of interconnection study requirements and site specific engineering analysis (load flow, short circuit, reactive power compensation requirements, transient response analysis, fault tolerance analysis) 

• Root cause analysis expertise with development of corrective and preventive action plans

• Developing maintenance strategies to maximize uptime and equipment longevity

• Planning and capacity expansion roadmaps for various topologies  

Product Development Focus 

• Drive HV switchgear technology (e.g., gas-insulated switchgear, CT selection, protection and control systems)

• Lead design and integration of next-generation substation solutions emphasizing automation, reliability, and reduced lifecycle cost

• Oversee development and application of modular or turbine-based distributed generation systems to support resilient grid operations

• Guide industry R&D efforts for power system components (GIS switchgear, transformers, control systems) to align with evolving utility and data center needs

• Collaborate with OEMs, EPCs, and internal design teams to evaluate and implement advanced technologies in power generation and transmission

• Provide market insight on trends in new technology integration, microgrids, and distributed generation, shaping new product offerings

Supplier Management 

• Leads the end-to-end supplier management process

• Builds and maintains supplier relationships and drives improvement in the areas of cost, risk, and quality

• Identify and mitigate supplier risks in the areas of design, product definition, new product insertion and root cause analyses 

• Educates suppliers on the mechanics of doing business with Equinix

• Identifies and resolves various supplier management problems

• Supports selection of new suppliers

• Acts as point of escalation for suppliers when needed

Negotiations 

• Interacts globally and cross-regionally and partners with Regional Procurement, business leaders, and other key stakeholders to execute capital and operational purchases that deliver cost savings, reduce supplier lead times, and improve vendor performance

• Aligns with internal customers regarding best negotiation positions and provide stakeholders with a balanced view of contract risk and liabilities

• Directly engages suppliers at the appropriate levels to influence the best outcome for Equinix that exceeds the business requirements

Cost Savings 

• Drives and delivers cost savings opportunities above and beyond expectations

• Owns cost savings proposals and interacts closely with suppliers, and internal customers, to achieve the cost savings, commercial and other demonstrable business benefits

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Power Systems, or related field;  

• Professional Engineer (P.E.) license preferred

• 12+ years of experience in HV switchgear, substation design, and/or power generation systems 

• Proven track record in consulting, engineering design, and execution of large-scale utility or industrial power projects

• Strong knowledge of grid interconnection standards, utility planning practices, and regulatory requirements

• Experience with product development in HV electrical equipment and systems integration

• Demonstrated leadership in managing engineering teams, budgets, and project execution across multiple locations

• Excellent client-facing, communication, and business development skills

• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required (up to 30%)

The United States targeted pay range for this position in the following location is / locations are: • San Francisco, CA / Bay Area: $198,000 to $298,000 per year • California (Non-SF/Bay Area), Connecticut, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Washington state: $191,000 to $287,000 per year • Colorado, Nevada, Rhode Island: $177,000 to $265,000 per year Our pay ranges reflect the minimum and maximum target for new hire pay for the full-time position determined by role, level, and location. Individual pay is based on additional factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education and/or training. This position may be offered in other locations. Your recruiter can share more about the specific pay range for your preferred location during the hiring process. The targeted pay range listed reflects the base pay only and does not include bonus, equity, or benefits. Employees are eligible for bonus, and equity may be offered depending on the position. As an employee, you become important to Equinix’s success. Details about our company benefits can be found at the following link: USA Benefits eBook

Equinix Benefits

As an employee, you become important to Equinix’s success. We ensure all your benefits are in line with our core values: competitive, inclusive, sustainable, connected and efficient. We keep them competitive within the current marketplace to ensure we’re providing you with the best package possible. So, wherever you are in your career and life, you’ll be able to enhance your experience and bring your whole self to work.

Employee Assistance Program: An Employee Assistance program is available to all employees.

US Benefits: - Insurance: You may enroll in health, life, disability and voluntary plans that are designed for you and your eligible family members. - Retirement: You and Equinix may contribute to a retirement plan to help you plan for your financial future. - Paid Time Off (PTO) and Paid Holidays: You will receive an accrued amount of PTO each pay period along with various paid holidays for you to rest and recharge. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific plan or program terms. Canada Core Benefits: - Insurance: You may enroll in healthcare coverage that is designed to complement the provincial healthcare system, along with life, disability and optional benefit plans that are designed for you and your eligible family members. - Retirement: You may also enroll in Equinix-sponsored retirement or savings plans: Defined Contribution Pension Plan (DCPP), Group Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) and Tax-Free Savings Plan (TSFA). - Vacation and Paid Holidays: Equinix offers both vacation and personal time, along with various paid holidays for you to rest and recharge. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits. Benefits are subject to specific plan or program terms, and to change at Equinix discretion.

Equinix is committed to ensuring that our employment process is open to all individuals, including those with a disability.  If you are a qualified candidate and need assistance or an accommodation, please let us know by completing this form.

Equinix is an Equal Employment Opportunity and, in the U.S., an Affirmative Action employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to unlawful consideration of race, color, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, place of birth, citizenship, sex, pregnancy / childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or domestic partnership status, age, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, political / organizational affiliation, status as a victim or family member of a victim of crime or abuse, or any other status protected by applicable law.