Senior Failure Analysis Engineer, Medium Voltage Transformers and Switchgear

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As the U.S. subsidiary of SMA Solar Technology AG, we have been at the forefront of solar inverter technology since 1981, developing solutions that make photovoltaic power plants simpler, more reliable, safer, and more cost effective. Headquartered in Rocklin, California, SMA America has spent more than two decades helping homes, businesses, and utilities across the country generate clean, reliable power. We are the only inverter manufacturer in the world offering solutions for every system size, from residential rooftops to large scale utility plants, backed by more than 1,500 patents and a presence in over 190 countries.

Innovation is only part of the story. We invest in our people, create room to grow, challenge conventional thinking, and protect a culture where teammates genuinely care about each other and the work. We hire capable people and give them the space to do the job, with clear expectations, open door leadership, and real autonomy.

If you are passionate about driving positive change and want a career where you can take ownership of your work, we would love to meet you. Together, we are not just part of the energy transition, we are helping drive it forward.

Senior Failure Analysis Engineer, Medium Voltage Transformers and Switchgear

PURPOSE OF POSITION

The Senior Failure Analysis Engineer protects SMA’s customers and brand quality by personally investigating field failures on SMA’s medium voltage solutions, including transformers, switchgear, and converters, and driving each one to an evidence based root cause. This is a hands on engineering role focused on technical failure analysis at the equipment level. It is not a quality process or supplier quality position. Working with cross functional and international teams, including SMA’s global headquarters in Germany, the role drives sustainable corrective and preventive actions across the product lifecycle.

PRIMARY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead hands on field failure investigations on medium voltage equipment, including site inspection, electrical testing, teardown, and evidence collection.
• Perform technical failure and data analyses, and determine the failure mechanism and specific root cause.
• Apply the 8D method for systematic root cause identification.
• Ensure analyses are evidence based, documented in compliance with standards and global processes, and aligned with the requirements of internal and external stakeholders.
• Conduct initial site analyses and on site technical evaluations, and provide technical consultation.
• Create detailed failure descriptions and collaborate with headquarters to advise and support other functions.
• Recognize and document known failure patterns and provide technical expertise to resolve them.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary and international teams to implement sustainable corrective and preventive actions.
• Execute, monitor, and evaluate corrective actions implemented by service teams and suppliers, and confirm their effectiveness.
• Collaborate closely with Customer Quality, Supplier Quality, and regional functions.
• Maintain close collaboration with the analysis unit at SMA headquarters and the application engineering team in the U.S.
• Travel approximately 20 to 30% to customer sites for failure investigation and fact gathering, and to the Rocklin, CA office and tradeshows as needed.
• Other duties as may be required or assigned.

REQUIRED RELEVANT PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, electrical engineering, or a related field, or equivalent education. Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in research and development, technical failure analysis, and quality engineering, with a background in customer relations.
• Hands on field failure investigation experience on medium voltage equipment, such as transformers, switchgear, or converters, is required and is the primary focus of this role. This experience may come from the solar or energy industry or from medium voltage work in another industry.
• Demonstrated ability to identify the failure mechanism and specific root cause of a medium voltage equipment failure, using site evidence, electrical test results, and physical damage analysis.
• Expertise in the 8D method for corrective action and quality tools including 5 Why, Ishikawa diagramming, and Pareto analysis.
• Experience in solar, utility, power generation, or another industry where medium voltage equipment is in service.
• Ability to present quality findings and corrective actions to senior leadership.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills across cross functional and international teams.
• Ability to travel approximately 20 to 30%, including to customer sites and the Rocklin, CA office.
• Availability for occasional early morning meetings with headquarters in Germany.
• Proficiency in written and verbal English is required. Proficiency in German is a plus.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, is required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience performing or interpreting medium voltage electrical tests, such as insulation resistance, power factor, turns ratio, and dissolved gas analysis.
• Experience with hermetically sealed equipment.
• Working knowledge of SAP, Salesforce, and JIRA.

Extent of responsibility: Regional.

WE OFFER

• Compensation: $106,000 to $150,000 per year, dependent on experience and qualifications, with flexibility above this range for a candidate who clearly exceeds the requirements.
• Eligibility for a discretionary annual profit sharing bonus.
• Comprehensive benefits including health, dental, and vision coverage, including $0 premium options.
• Work Model: Remote within the United States. Hybrid or in office presence is preferred for candidates within commuting distance of our Rocklin, CA headquarters.
• 401(k) plan with company match.
• Tuition reimbursement and opportunities for professional development and training.
• Inclusive, collaborative, and innovative work environment.

Our EEO Policy

We are an equal opportunity employer and we make our employment decisions on the basis of merit and without regard to one's race, color, creed, sex (includes gender, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), gender identity, religion, marital status, age (over 40), national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability (includes HIV/Aids), medical condition (cancer, genetic characteristics), veteran's status, sexual orientation, or any other consideration made unlawful by law.

In accordance with applicable law protecting qualified individuals with known disabilities, SMA will attempt to reasonably accommodate qualified applicants with known disabilities, unless doing so would create an undue hardship on SMA. Any qualified applicant with a disability who believes he or she requires an accommodation in order to perform the essential functions of the job for which he or she is applying should identify the accommodation(s) needed in the application.

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