Electrical Engineer

Summary: This position is responsible for researching, developing, designing, testing electronics and embedded firmware development, for electrical systems used in motor control. The hardware development involves switching power supplies, analog signal conditioning, power electronics for high power/voltage BLDC motors and embedded controllers. The firmware development involves motor winding commutation, hardware monitoring, and serial communications.

Ebm-papst Inc. is seeking a range of experienced electrical engineers to join the Electrical Engineering R&D department, to develop advanced control electronics for electronically commutated 3 core BLDC motors up to 20 KW. These motors are used for driving industrial fans and blowers in multiple market sectors. The US R&D departments are growing to become a local design center for the Americas. This candidate is a motivated EE department team member, interfacing with mechanical, motor, airflow, and applications engineers locally, and in collaboration with engineering departments in the German divisions. The responsibilities involve multiple aspects of the design, including motor power electronics for up to 575 VAC, 3 phase power, power factor correction, winding drive circuits, EMC, serial, and network communications, SMPS, microcontrollers, firmware, analog & digital interfaces, and testing. 

Functions of the Job:

• Power circuit designs include IGBT bridge and driver circuits for voltages up to rectified 575 VAC 3 phase power with a clear understanding of the materials and spacing requirements of the circuit board layout. Knowledge of passive and active power factor correction methods and circuits is key for these products. A good understanding of power grid transients and anomalies is key in understanding and design for robustness.
    


• Design of switch mode power supplies with the analysis of system power requirements including possible transients and anomalies of mains power. LTspice is the main tool used for simulation of power supplies as well as general analog analysis.

• Embedded controllers – Selection of microcontrollers suitable for the application. Microchip Technology controllers, Arm Core controllers and development tools are primarily used.

• Software development in C for embedded controls and PC software tools with Visual Studio. Functions for serial and network communications, internal status monitoring, failure logging, and closed loop controls.

• In addition to product research and design, there will be development of test fixtures and procedures for the evaluation of the electronics for accuracy, robustness, and reliability. Hardware and software are developed for creating test conditions as well as data logging of electrical signals and thermal stresses.

• Circuit analysis should include reliability, component derating, thermal and component stress. The analysis data is used in design reviews, design verification, and FMEA. 

• Familiarity with regulatory safety and EMC standards for industrial and residential applications (UL, FCC, NEBS, IEC, etc.) is a plus. Compliance testing progress tracked for status updates and investigation of any non-compliance.

• This position is part of a project team including PCB design engineers, local electrical engineers, global electrical engineers, project managers, applications engineers, mechanical engineers, and manufacturing engineers. Product development involves all stages from conceptualization to production as well as a broad range of understanding from EMS, mechanical, production, thermal and airflow issues. Excellent communication skills are needed to keep team members informed and the projects progressing as well as good listening skills to properly understand issues. 

• There will be collaboration of ideas and designs other US locations and German divisions, which may require travel at times for meetings and training sessions.

• Plan and track project development, project tasks and schedules as well as estimating the original project efforts.

• The ideal candidate is self-motivated to learn and understand areas of expertise for growth and professional development.
  

Education, Experience 

Minimum education - bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering

Minimum relevant circuit design experience - 1 year (or Co-op) and up