Electrical Engineer - Motor Drives, Controls & Systems

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Own the design and specification of electrical components and subsystems, including motors, control boards, VFD interfaces, wiring harnesses, power supplies, and communication modules.
• Define and document electrical architectures for fan systems, including power distribution, control, protection, and communication topologies.
• Create and maintain schematics, wiring diagrams, PCB documentation, and BOMs; review PCB layouts for best practices in power electronics, EMC, creepage/clearance, and manufacturability.
• Apply sound engineering principles and DFx (DFM, DFT, DFA) to deliver designs that are reliable, safe, and compliant with regulatory standards.
• Lead and participate in formal design reviews with electrical, mechanical, firmware, manufacturing, and compliance teams.
• Lead integration and tuning of VFD-driven systems for HVLS and motor applications.
• Collaborate closely with embedded/firmware engineers on motor-control strategies and hardware interface requirements.
• Analyze and resolve complex issues related to inrush current, overcurrent faults, EMI/EMC interactions, harmonics, and thermal performance.
• Evaluate new drive technologies and components for performance, cost, and long-term reliability.
• Define and execute test plans for electrical performance, reliability, safety, environmental, and system-level behavior.
• Drive DOE airflow testing strategy, electrical efficiency validation, and regulatory compliance.
• Lead EMC/EMI pre-compliance and compliance efforts in collaboration with internal and external labs.
• Ensure designs meet UL, IEC, DOE, FCC, and internal quality standards; interpret data and drive corrective actions.
• Architect and implement robust industrial communication interfaces (Modbus RTU/TCP, BACnet, EtherCAT preferred).
• Specify and guide development of communication modules and translator PCBs.
• Support integration with HMIs, VFDs, and supervisory systems to ensure reliable system-level behavior.
• Serve as electrical engineering lead on assigned projects.
• Plan electrical tasks, provide updates, and assess risks.
• Work with suppliers and manufacturing to qualify components, resolve production issues, and support cost reduction initiatives.
• Mentor junior engineers and technicians.
• Lead root-cause analysis for issues in development, validation, or field environments.
• Define and refine test methods, fixtures, and automation.
• Maintain high standards for data integrity, documentation, and lab safety.
• Seek opportunities to simplify designs, reduce cost, and improve robustness.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Deep understanding of electrical engineering concepts, including AC/DC power conversion, motors, and protection.
• Strong experience with industrial communication protocols (Modbus, BACnet, EtherCAT).
• Proficiency with schematic/PCB tools (Altium, OrCAD).
• Hands-on skills with lab instrumentation (oscilloscopes, analyzers, DAQ).
• Experience with EMC/EMI design and compliance.
• Strong analytical, communication, and leadership skills.
• Self-driven, organized, and capable of owning deliverables.
• Experience mentoring junior engineers is a plus.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering required.
• Typically 5–8+ years of electrical design experience.
• Proven track record taking complex electromechanical products from concept to production.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in lab/manufacturing environments and lift up to 50 lbs.