Sr. Electrical Reliability Test Engineer
About the role
This role focuses on designing and testing high-voltage drive inverters to ensure their reliability and performance in advanced electric vehicle applications. You will split your time between electronic and firmware design and hands-on reliability testing in the lab, working with power electronics, high-voltage systems, and cutting-edge inverter technology. The position is ideal for an experienced electrical engineer who enjoys both simulation and practical experimentation and who can mentor others while driving technical excellence.
This is a Contract to Hire position based in Fremont, CA, combining office-based design work with significant time in an electronics lab.
Responsibilities
- Design, execute, and analyze reliability tests for drive inverters to validate performance, durability, and safety.
- Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to identify potential reliability issues and develop effective mitigation strategies.
- Utilize electronic design software to model, simulate, and troubleshoot inverter circuits, ensuring robust and efficient designs.
- Lead electronic board design efforts for high-voltage systems, including schematic creation and PCB layout for power electronics applications.
- Develop and refine firmware and software that interface with hardware, with a focus on object-oriented Python programming for test automation and data analysis.
- Perform hands-on lab work with high-voltage systems, including test setup, measurement, and safe operation of power electronics hardware.
- Use test equipment such as oscilloscopes, curve tracers, digital multimeters (DMMs), hipot testers, and source meters to characterize and validate inverter performance.
- Apply reliability testing methodologies and standards to design test plans that reflect real-world operating conditions for EV drive inverters.
- Prepare detailed technical reports summarizing test plans, procedures, data, and findings, and present results and recommendations to engineering stakeholders.
- Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers and technicians, supporting their development in power electronics, testing, and firmware.
- Contribute to system integration efforts by ensuring that inverter designs interface correctly and reliably with the broader electric drive system.
- Continuously refine test methods and design approaches based on lessons learned, field data, and emerging industry best practices.
Requirements
- Degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent practical experience in electrical engineering.
- Minimum of 4+ years of experience in inverter design and testing for power electronics applications.
- Strong knowledge of power electronics and semiconductor components, particularly MOSFETs and IGBTs used in drive inverters.
- Proven experience in the design and testing of inverter circuits, including high-voltage power stages and control circuitry.
- Demonstrated expertise in electronic board design for high-voltage systems, including PCB design and layout for power electronics.
- Solid understanding of high-voltage physics and its application to safe and reliable power electronics design.
- Proficiency with electronic design and simulation tools such as Altium and LTspice for schematic capture, PCB layout, and circuit simulation.
- Strong firmware and software development skills for hardware interaction, with specific experience in object-oriented Python programming.
- Ability to use test equipment including oscilloscopes, curve tracers, digital multimeters (DMMs), hipot testers, and source meters for detailed electrical characterization.
- Familiarity with reliability testing methodologies and standards relevant to power electronics and drive inverters.
- Experience working with electric drive systems in the automotive or heavy vehicle industry.
Additional Qualifications
- Experience integrating drive inverters into complete electric powertrain systems and resolving interface issues.
- Experience in high-voltage power electronics lab work, including safe handling procedures and best practices.
- Exposure to advanced reliability test design, including accelerated life testing and stress testing for power electronics.
- Ability to interpret complex test data and translate findings into clear design improvements and reliability enhancements.
- Strong communication skills for preparing and presenting detailed technical reports to engineering and project stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability to mentor and support junior engineers and technicians in a technical lab environment.
- Familiarity with additional electronic design tools and simulation environments beyond Altium and LTspice is beneficial.
Pay
The pay range for this position is $55.00 - $70.00/hr. Individual compensation offered within this range will depend on qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.
Benefits
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may include:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital coverage
- 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
- Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
- Short and long-term disability
- Health Spending Account (HSA)
- Transportation benefits
- Employee Assistance Program
- Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation, or Sick Leave)
Schedule
This is a fully onsite position in Fremont, CA.