Generac Power Systems – We are seeking a talented and motivated power electronics controls engineer to join the Generac team and contribute to our continued growth and transformation as a leading energy technologies provider! You will apply your skills and expertise to create better energy solutions for our customers. Generac’s Core Storage and Power Conversion Team has an opening for a Power Electronics Firmware Engineer IV to join our team located in either our Headquarters in Waukesha, WI or our New England Technical Center located within 30 minutes of Boston, MA.
The Power Electronics Firmware Engineer will lead in the development of production-ready firmware for power converters. The successful candidate will develop embedded control algorithms for inverters, battery/EV chargers, and dc-dc converters for a variety of power conversion applications. The ideal candidate will collaborate closely with other power electronics engineers to contribute to hardware power converter design as well influence development of our future product strategies. This position reports to the Director of the Power Conversion & Energy Storage Team.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Develop controls for high performance grid-tie inverters, off-grid inverters, and advanced dc-dc converters to support electrification applications including energy storage, solar energy, and EV charging
- Build advanced models to simulate power converter applications including physical plants, magnetics, electronics subsystems, and control subsystems
- Develop advanced power converter control algorithms; implement control solutions in embedded controllers using programming languages including C and C++ as well as PLD programming languages
- Plan and execute testing strategy including bench testing and validation testing; develop lab test tools, and support development of routine testing methods/systems for production systems
- Participate in embedded control system design, including digital and analog circuits
- Collaborate within the Generac firmware community; identify and incorporate relevant firmware coding and testing practices to ensure creation of high- quality production code
- Support identification and troubleshooting of discovered field issues, create solutions, and disseminate knowledge within the Generac technical community
- Conduct and participate in design and project risk assessments, FMEA/DFMEA and Design Reviews
- Work with peers to create development plans (project scope, workflow, cost analysis)
- Mentor engineers and technicians with an emphasis on controls
- Support technical documentation
Additional Responsibilities as Demonstrated by Candidate:
- Lead small and mid-sized engineering projects as a technical leader actively managing technical direction and technical risks
- Perform engineering analysis and design optimization of power electronics hardware, gate drives, magnetic components, and power supply subsystems
- Create and maintain relationships with business, engineering, and applications peers to develop related technology roadmaps; develop technical and application understanding of power electronics controls
- Develop circuit designs using tools such as Altium and Schematic Capture
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or equivalent degree
- Minimum 7 years of relevant work experience or advanced degree equivalency
- 3 years of industry experience in the design and development of power electronics
Preferred Qualifications & Skills:
- Master’s Degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering
- Demonstrated proficiency and rigorous understanding of digital control systems
- Strong understanding of AC power system physics, control and protection
- Demonstrated strong knowledge of IGBT, MOSFET, and other semiconductor power devices
- Experience with C and C++ for embedded control systems
- Strong creative engineering acumen with the ability to clearly explain ideas
- Collaborative mindset, with the ability to work independently
- Experience with simulation platforms including Spice and Matlab/Simulink
- Ability to solve complex engineering problems
- Strong decision-making skills
- Solid technical business acumen, ability to communicate effectively in a business environment
- 2 years of experience with power generation products
- Familiarity with agency compliance such as UL, CSA, NEC, CE, FCC, NFPA and EPA
Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear; and use hands to manipulate objects or controls. The employee is regularly required to stand and walk. On occasion, the incumbent may be required to stoop, bend or reach above the shoulders. The employee must occasionally lift up to 25 pounds. Specific conditions of this job include are typical of frequent and continuous computer-based work requiring periods of sitting, close vision and ability to adjust focus. Occasional travel.