The ideal candidate will embody Nidec’s key pillars of Passion, Enthusiasm, and Tenacity with their passion to learn, enthusiasm to exceed market expectations, and tenacity to solve complex technical issues. From ideation to production, you will work with a diverse and experienced team of design engineers to support aerospace industry leaders and spearhead technological advances in transport decarbonization.
Job Description
The Power Electronics Hardware Engineer is responsible for the design and development of power electronic circuits that supports the overall production of motor control power electronics for electric propulsion systems. Collaboration with cross-functional teams is key to success in this role.
Location: Atlanta, Ga USA, or Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil
1. Design and develop functionally safe motor control power electronics for electric propulsion systems
Develop power electronic circuits including motor control power stages using SiC devices, power converters, gate drivers, protection circuits, and EMI/EMC suppression circuits
Apply expert knowledge of power electronics principles and SiC power devices to develop high performance, high efficiency, and highly reliable motor control electronics; stay up to date with advancements in power electronics technology including SiC devices, thermal management techniques and aerospace safety standards
Typical design tasks include writing design specifications, performing design analysis and simulations, capturing circuit schematics, participating in design reviews, leading PCB layout process, creating BOMs and assembly drawings, authoring test specifications, and overseeing prototype, engineering validation, design verification, and agency certification phases of projects
Lead technical design reviews for newly developed solutions with cross functional teams
2. Proactive Stakeholder collaboration and communication
Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including software engineers, mechanical engineers, and safety / certification experts to define system requirements and architecture
Lead design and optimization of power electronics PCB layouts while collaborating with PCB designers, mechanical engineers, and safety / certification experts to ensure product requirements are met
Collaborate with safety experts to conduct safety audits and reviews to ensure compliance with applicable safety standards
3. Comprehensive analysis, testing, documentation and adherence to compliance standards
Conduct circuit analysis and simulations to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the motor controller
Conduct thorough testing and verification activities to validate the functionality and safety of the motor controller
Perform thermal simulations to analyze and optimize the thermal performance of the power electronics system; collaborate with mechanical engineers and thermal experts to implement appropriate cooling and heat dissipation techniques and to ensure effective thermal management of the motor controller
Utilize Altium Designer software for schematic design, PCB layout and manufacturing documentation
Support PCBA manufacturing partners to ensure proper assembly and functional test of electronics, including creation of test specifications and collaboration on test equipment
Ensure compliance with functional safety standards, such as ISO 26262, throughout the development process
Conduct and document safety analyses and risk assessments to identify potential hazards and appropriate safety measures, define safety requirements and develop safety cases
Technical Attributes and Experience
Experience in New Product Development and Phase-Gate processes
Experience in utilization of SiC devices in power electronics applications.
Thorough knowledge of thermal simulations and experience optimizing thermal performance
High proficiency in Altium Designer software for schematic design, manufacturing documentation and some familiarity with PCB layout
Experience in functional safety standards, such as ISO 26262, and their application in the aerospace industry
Willingness to work with, and travel to, domestic and international design and manufacturing locations when necessary.
PREFERRED
Experience in microcontroller / DSP based hardware for motor control applications desired
Experience in electronics packaging and power electronics cooling techniques desired
Experience in electronics Design for Manufacturability desired
Experience in aviation DO-160G testing and DO-254 development
Aerospace experience
Minimum Requirements (proficiency levels aligned to job level)
Bachelor’s or Master’s or PhD’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Power Electronics, or a related field
7 years of experience in power electronics design and development (including circuit simulation)
Additional Job Details
Technical – T3
Organizational Impact
Works to achieve operational, functional, and/or business targets within team with direct and indirect impact on departmental or job family results, using practical technical principles
Intermediate-level technical contributor; generally works independently under moderate supervision and may seek advice of more senior employees in the same area
Failure to achieve results requires allocation of additional resources to meet goals and impacts project completion with the potential for additional financial expense.
Works on smaller, less complex projects/assignments
Communication & Influence
Communicates with employees typically within the department and/or job family, explaining and interpreting matters related to the department; may communicate with external clients or partners depending upon the job area
May influence employees within own job area at an operational level
Innovation & Complexity
Responsible for making minor improvements to technical/business processes, procedures, or systems to contribute to the performance of the team
Problems faced may be difficult but are not complex, requiring application of technical skills/analysis drawing from prior experiences, and typically involve consideration of multiple issues and impact job family and/or multiple teams
Leadership & Talent Management
May provide guidance, help with training and review work of entry-level employees
May lead parts of less complex projects or processes
Knowledge & Experience
Requires understanding of basic context and practical knowledge of technical and business environment as well as potential and upcoming technical advances within area of specialization, typically obtained through advanced education and relevant experience
Requires a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience and minimum 5 years of prior relevant experience
Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action at Nidec Nidec is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Affirmative Action Employer encouraging diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to their age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, genetic information, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. For more information regarding your (EEO) rights as an applicant, please visit the following website: http://www1.eeoc.gov/employers/upload/eeoc_self_print_poster.pdf
Work Shift Schedule
No Soliciting
Nidec will not accept unsolicited resumes from individual recruiters or third party recruiting agencies in response to Nidec job postings. No fee will be paid to third parties who submit unsolicited candidates directly to our hiring managers. Pre-approval from the Nidec Talent Acquisition team is required before any external candidate can be submitted and such candidate must be submitted to the Nidec Talent Acquisition team.
