SENIOR ELECTRICAL ENGINEER at Smart Wires, Inc. – Durham, North Carolina

SENIOR ELECTRICAL ENGINEER

Smart Wires provides advanced power flow control solutions and analytics that enable controllable power systems. This gives grid operators more control over where power flows and helps them use their existing networks more efficiently. Our solutions support system reliability, reduce congestion, and make it easier to integrate new load and generation while minimizing costs and community disruption. We collaborate with customers to achieve their strategic objectives and help them face an uncertain energy future with flexible, high-impact solutions.

Position Summary

We are seeking a Senior Electrical Engineer to make an immediate impact on developing and sustaining our grid-connected electronics and electrical systems. This role reports to the Head of Electrical Engineering and will serve as a key contributor for the Electrical Engineering group: owning the design of mission-critical electronics, performing rigorous root cause analysis and design reviews, and influencing major design decisions. We are looking for someone who can drive forward the quality of our product at both a detailed design and system level.

Primary Responsibilities

• Take ownership of multiple PCBA designs from concept to production, including: electrical design, PCB layout, design for testing and manufacturing, component selection and quality
• Own the development and ongoing support of power electronics throughout the product
• Own the interface between electromechanical switches and their control electronics, including: PCBAs, harnesses, capacitors, and related components
• Lead the design and standardization of harnesses and connectors used to connect PCBAs and other electrical components
• Recommend, develop, and execute a variety of tests on PCBAs, power electronic devices, and other electrical components: new design validation, troubleshooting, accelerated life and reliability testing, and more

Perform root cause analysis on components that have failed in manufacturing and the field

Required skills and experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering
• 5+ years of experience in electrical engineering with a focus on electronics and circuit design
• Experience in PCB design, including: analog and digital circuit design, PCB layout considerations, creepage and clearage considerations, and more
• Experience working with power electronic devices including: IGBTs, thyristors, MOSFETs
• Experience designing and specifying harnesses and connectors, taking into consideration: signal integrity, shielding, ampacity, voltage ratings, environmental conditions, and more
• Experience using an Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tool (e.g. Altium, Eagle or OrCAD)
• Experience in a lab environment, including working knowledge of test and measurement tools
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making skills.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to work cross-functionally

Desired skills and experience

• More than 7 years of relevant industry experience.
• Detailed understanding of the parameters relevant to power-electronic selection, performance, and reliability
• Expertise in simulation, analysis, and testing of electrical systems (e.g. SPICE, MATLAB or ANSYS)
• Experience with electrical and environmental stress testing to measure component, PCBA, and system level reliability and performance
• Knowledge of EMC/EMI design considerations and mitigation techniques.
• Experience with relevant electronics industry standards (e.g. IEC, IEEE, IPC or JESD)

Location

This is a hybrid position based in Durham, North Carolina. Candidates are expected to work from the office for at least 24 core hours per week unless agreed up with the Manager. Core hours are defined as 9a to 3p ET.

Required travel

This position is expected to travel less than 5% of the year. Occasional trips to customer sites, suppliers, or our manufacturing location may be required.

Benefits

At Smart Wires, we strive to foster an inclusive and supportive environment that focuses on our employees’ total wellbeing, and our benefit offerings reflect that commitment to our people.

We offer:

• Flexible PTO
• Paid parental leave to support you and your family.
• Competitive total compensation packages that includes salary, bonus and equity.
• A comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, life and disability coverage, and a 401(k) retirement plan with company match.

The Culture

We are passionate about creating a culture that empowers our team to create positive change for everyone and achieve their full potential, based on our core values:

Making an impact - We are passionate and ambitious about a better future for everyone. We are laser-focused on creating a meaningful, positive impact with real change for our customers, our industry, electricity consumers, and the planet.

Collaboration to drive success - We collaborate with each other, and our stakeholders, because we know even better outcomes come from great teamwork. We have humility because we know even better outcomes come from great teamwork. We have humility which allows us to listen, learn and improve. We value diverse perspectives and seek high impact results.

Accountability - We take responsibility for our actions and behaviors, and for the outcomes we deliver. Acting with integrity and authenticity – and maintaining clear, open communication – ensures we are always improving, and delivering safe, high-quality solutions. We do what we say we will do.

Tenacious courage - We are clear on our path. We have always pioneered new ideas that challenge the status quo, even when it’s not popular. We have tenacity, grit and determination. We push the boundaries of what’s thought to be possible – so we can leave the world a better place than we found it.

**Smart Wires is committed to diversity in our organization and building an equitable and inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds and experiences. We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. Smart Wires complies with applicable federal, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination and we especially encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including women, people of any skin color, LGBTQ people, veterans, and people with disabilities.**