Power Electronics Hardware Engineer

Job Summary

The sky is no longer the limit as Nidec takes its technology off the ground and into the Aerospace market. As a Motor Power Electronics Engineer with the Nidec Aerospace team, you will have the opportunity to apply and develop your expertise to design electric propulsion systems for the battery-powered aircrafts that will enable the world to sustainably and efficiently get from point A to point B.

Nidec is the world’s leading electric motor manufacturer and a true pioneer in electrification across a wide array of industries since its foundation in 1973, ranging from appliance, energy infrastructure, to ground transportation. Nidec Aerospace is a newly created Joint Venture between Nidec and Embraer which intends to take a leading role in the Electrification of Aircrafts. We are well-positioned and excited to support the aerospace industry in its ambitious transition to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

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