Staff Electrical Engineer

Staff Electrical Engineer

At Itron, we innovate with purpose—designing reliable, scalable technologies that help utilities and communities better manage energy and water. As a Staff Electrical Engineer, you will play a critical role in ensuring our connectivity and networked devices deliver the performance and resilience our customers depend on. This position is highly collaborative and customer-centric, blending hands-on RF expertise with cross-functional teamwork to support the development and integration of industrial IoT and smart metering solutions worldwide. You will model accountability, authenticity, and agility as you validate next-generation products that empower utilities to operate more efficiently and sustainably.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead customer-centric RF and wireless validation for IoT-enabled and industrial smart metering products across electric, gas, and water utility applications.
• Perform RX/TX characterization including sensitivity, PER testing, TX power, antenna pattern measurement, and OTA evaluation to ensure reliable field performance.
• Validate sub-GHz, cellular, and ISM-band wireless systems used in grid-edge and industrial IoT deployments, applying innovative test methods to reduce risk and improve product readiness.
• Execute RF and electrical immunity testing (ESD, conducted/radiated immunity, surge, power-supply robustness) to ensure safe, resilient, utility-grade operation.
• Validate antenna designs and patterns for internal products and partner-developed meter integrations, ensuring alignment with Itron performance expectations.
• Collaborate with OEMs on power interfaces, interconnects, thermal considerations, enclosures, and RF interference mitigation with a focus on driving reliable integrations.
• Train and support partners in executing Itron test plans, automation methods, and reporting requirements, modeling authentic and accountable collaboration.
• Develop and maintain structured test plans, procedures, and documentation for new products and integration programs.
• Own and maintain ATE stations and RF test setups, including calibration, configuration management, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement.
• Design and refine automated test scripts and analysis tools (Python) to enhance test coverage, repeatability, and agility.
• Lead or support cross-domain failure analysis and system debugging across RF, electrical, firmware, and system layers.
• Conduct structured RCCA and provide data-driven corrective and preventive action recommendations.
• Present findings to stakeholders and customers clearly and collaboratively, translating technical results into actionable insights.
• Represent Test Engineering across Product Management, R&D, Operations, Quality, and PMO to ensure testing aligns with customer and business outcomes.
• Provide technical support for customer integrations, product qualification, and deployment activities, maintaining a customer-first mindset.
• Communicate test outcomes, system behaviors, and improvement opportunities in an authentic, transparent manner.
• Mentor junior engineers and technicians in RF validation, automation, and troubleshooting to build team capability.
• Provide technical input during design reviews and NPI phases to enhance reliability, testability, and long-term product performance.
• Champion innovative approaches and continuous improvement across test processes and methodologies.

Required Skills & Experience

• Strong hands-on experience testing RF/wireless systems such as cellular, sub-GHz, and ISM band radios.
• Proficiency with RF lab equipment: Spectrum Analyzer, VNA, Signal Generator, Power Meter, OTA chambers.
• Expertise in RX/TX characterization, sensitivity and PER measurements, antenna performance evaluation, and OTA analysis.
• Experience with RF and electrical immunity testing (ESD, EFT, surge, conducted/radiated immunity).
• Proven capability in failure analysis, root-cause identification, and cross-functional troubleshooting.
• Ability to generate clear technical reports, structured test plans, and formal RCCA documentation.
• Strong communication skills for customer-facing and stakeholder-aligned engagement.
• Proficiency in Python for test automation, data processing, and test development.
• Ability to interpret schematics, PCB layouts, and mechanical drawings.
• Demonstrated collaborative, agile work style with accountability and customer-centric decision-making.

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Experience with smart metering, industrial IoT, or SCADA-related devices.
• Familiarity with FCC Part 15.247 and regulatory requirements for 900 MHz / 2.4 GHz ISM-band radios.
• Experience with environmental and reliability testing (HALT/HASS, temperature cycling, long-duration testing).
• Background working with OEM partners or integration teams.
• Experience with structured new product development (NPI) lifecycles.

Pay Transparency Info:

The successful candidate's starting salary will be determined based on permissible, non-discriminatory factors such as skills and experience and may vary by location. The base salary is $75,000 – $166,000

Benefits Info:

This position also includes a competitive benefit package including; financial, social, health and wellbeing programs, paid vacation, 401k matching, employee stock purchase program, hybrid work schedule, and more!