Power Electronics Hardware Engineer

Power Electronics Hardware Engineer

Location: Pearl River, NY

Job Type: Full-time

About Urban Electric Power

Urban Electric Power (UEP) is commercializing zinc anode rechargeable battery technology developed at the City University of New York (CUNY) Energy Institute. Made from the same environmentally sustainable materials as disposable alkaline batteries, UEP batteries offer a unique combination of enhanced performance, extended lifetime, and low cost. Founded in 2012, UEP is headquartered at its pilot manufacturing and battery testing facility in Pearl River, New York.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform sizing studies and designs for low voltage AC (under 1,000 Vac) power converters with rated currents of 20 A and above.
• Conceive and lead designs of AC/AC power converters with various topologies employing solid state switching devices.
• Identify, specify, select and qualify components such as IGBTs, diodes, power supplies, capacitors, reactors, transformers, semiconductor fuses, and other components typically used in power converters.
• Help define and design of various control algorithms for power converters, such as V/Hz, vector control (sensed and sensorless), regenerative control and others, providing input on protection alarm and trip thresholds, current, voltage and other feedback loop controls, monitors, customer interfaces, product program parameters and communication links.
• Develop computer simulations such as Matlab or other equivalent tool to verify designs and predict performance.
• Design and develop schematics for power circuits and assist in the design and development of gate drivers, power supplies, protection circuits, and other circuits typically used in power electronics applications.
• Design magnetic components such as reactors and transformers.
• Help define protection alarm and trip thresholds, current, voltage and other feedback loop controls, monitors, customer interfaces, product program parameters and communication links.
• Work with mechanical engineers to integrate electrical designs into the technical drawing package.
• Help generate Bills of Materials, block diagrams, wire lists and point to point diagrams, and component specifications to support the documentation process.
• Specify, design and procure lab test jigs and instrumentation.
• Develop and implement test procedures for power converters and motor drives.
• Coordinate and conduct tests in the lab.
• Conduct system reliability analysis.

Additional Responsibilities

• Review and analyze customer requirements and specifications related to motor drive control and assists sales and marketing in reviewing and developing proposals.
• Help generate product specification and documentation.
• Assist on customer training.
• Assist in product certification by interfacing with certification bodies such as UL.
• Support system installation, startup, maintenance, troubleshooting and repair in lab factory floor and/or in the field.
• Provide mentoring and training to less experienced engineers.
• Stay abreast of technology trends in the field of power converters and controls for motor drive applications.
• Act in the capacity of subject matter expert within the Company

Education

• Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) from a recognized STEM university Engineering ten to fifteen years related work experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Master’s degree preferred.

Experience

• Five to eight years of experience designing power converters and control systems, preferably variable frequency drives for use with electric motors.
• Hands-on experience testing electric drive systems comprising of power converters and electric motors.
• Experience with UL testing and certification process.
• Working knowledge of standards and codes governing power converters is a plus.
• Practical understanding of electric machine principles is an asset.
• Experience designing PCBs for high power applications is an asset.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with situations where only limited standardization and/or information exists.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

This job description provides a general overview of the responsibilities and requirements for the role. Specific duties and areas of focus may evolve as the company continues to grow.