What are the responsibilities and job description for the Prototype Engineer Electrical position at AMPERA INC?
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Competitive salary
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Savings bank
- Stock options plan
- Vision insurance
- Wellness resources
Prototype Engineer, Electrical
Role Summary
Ampera is seeking an Electrical Engineering Lab Technician to provide hands-on support to our Research and Development team. This role combines electrical assembly, installation, testing, maintenance, and troubleshooting with scientific instrumentation, data acquisition, and safety interlock systems.
Success requires more than technical ability. We are looking for someone who takes ownership, communicates proactively, works independently within their capabilities, and approaches potentially hazardous work with care and sound judgment. Curiosity, accountability, and respectful collaboration are essential.
Key Responsibilities
- Read, create, and update electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, component lists, and equipment documentation.
- Assemble, wire, terminate, label, install, and modify electrical equipment, panels, and experimental assemblies.
- Develop, implement, and verify safety interlock systems in collaboration with the engineering team.
- Support the installation, testing, and troubleshooting of high-voltage systems within established training, authorization, and safety procedures.
- Integrate scientific instruments with data acquisition equipment, including instruments with incomplete documentation.
- Write, modify, and troubleshoot data acquisition software to support experiments and equipment testing.
- Use appropriate electrical test instruments to diagnose problems, verify performance, and confirm equipment readiness.
- Perform preventive maintenance, repairs, and upgrades.
- Document equipment configurations, test results, maintenance activities, and changes clearly and accurately.
- Follow electrical safety procedures, including energy isolation, safe work boundaries, and required personal protective equipment.
- Raise concerns about unsafe designs or operating practices and collaborate on practical risk controls before work proceeds.
- Manage assigned work, follow through on commitments, and communicate blockers or potential delays early.
Required Qualifications
- Associate's degree, Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, Ph.D., or equivalent hands-on electrical engineering experience.
- Demonstrated ability to interpret and produce electrical schematics, terminate and label wiring, use electrical test equipment, and troubleshoot systematically.
- Experience with scientific instrumentation, data acquisition systems, or related equipment integration, including programming or scripting for equipment control or data collection.
- Understanding of electrical hazards and the judgment to recognize when additional guidance, review, or authorization is needed.
- Ability to organize and complete assigned work independently while coordinating effectively with engineers, researchers, and other technical team members.
- Clear communication and accurate technical documentation.
Essential Ways of Working
These qualities are critical requirements for the role:
- Ownership and accountability: Take responsibility for issues through resolution. Flag competing priorities, missing information, and delays early, and help identify next steps.
- Safety judgment and willingness to speak up: Question unsafe conditions or assumptions respectfully and clearly. Help the team find a safe path forward, and pause work when necessary.
- Intellectual humility: Recognize that calculations, documentation, and assumptions can be wrong. Verify work, welcome independent checks, and remain open to correction.
- Initiative with sound judgment: Investigate problems, propose solutions, and seek help at the right time. Understand the limits of your knowledge and authorization.
- Collaboration and receptiveness to feedback: Work constructively across disciplines, share information, and apply feedback to improve results.
- Curiosity and continued learning: Show a strong interest in science and technology, identify skill gaps, and take an active role in developing the capabilities needed for assigned work.
- Adaptability: Remain organized and responsive as experimental results, equipment needs, and project priorities change.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with high-voltage equipment and safety interlock systems.
- Experience supporting research laboratories, experimental equipment, or prototype development.
- Experience integrating instruments with limited or incomplete technical documentation.
- Experience with electrical panels, equipment installation, maintenance, or code-compliant electrical work.
Additional Requirements:
- Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed
- This role requires you to be onsite. Remote and/or hybrid work will not be considered.
Application Materials
Please submit a resume. A brief summary of relevant hands-on projects is encouraged, particularly examples involving electrical troubleshooting, instrumentation, data acquisition, or safety systems.
We value demonstrated hands-on capability, sound judgment, a strong safety mindset, and the ability to contribute effectively to a multidisciplinary team.
** Compensation for this position will be commensurate with experience and qualifications. In addition to a competitive salary, Ampera offers a comprehensive benefits package, participation in the Company's equity program through Incentive Stock Options (ISOs), and relocation assistance for qualified candidates, where applicable.