Senior Staff Mechanical Engineer

Job Summary:
As a Senior Staff Mechanical Engineer - Power Electronics Specialist , you will be a key technical expert responsible for developing robust and efficient mechanical solutions for our power electronics products. You will play a critical role in ensuring the reliability, thermal performance, and environmental protection of our advanced electronic systems, empowering our customers to leverage cutting-edge technology for their applications.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Mechanical Design: Lead the mechanical design and development of power electronics systems, ensuring they meet performance, size, and cost requirements. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate mechanical components seamlessly into the overall product.
Thermal Management: Design and optimize thermal solutions for power electronic modules and systems, including heat sinks, thermal interface materials, and cooling mechanisms, to ensure efficient heat dissipation and temperature regulation.
Enclosure and Potting Design: Develop NEMA6-rated enclosures and potting solutions to protect power electronics systems from harsh environmental conditions, including dust, moisture, and extreme temperatures.
Material Selection: Identify and specify appropriate materials for mechanical components, taking into account thermal conductivity, environmental factors, and manufacturing considerations.
Simulation and Analysis: Utilize CAD and simulation tools to perform thermal and mechanical analysis, such as Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), to validate designs and optimize performance.
Testing and Validation: Plan and conduct tests to validate mechanical designs, ensuring they meet industry standards, safety regulations, and product performance requirements.
Manufacturing Support: Collaborate with the manufacturing team to ensure seamless transition from design to production, providing input to optimize manufacturing processes and assembly techniques.
Product Improvement: Continuously monitor and evaluate the performance of existing products, identifying opportunities for improvement and implementing design changes to enhance reliability and performance.
Compliance and Documentation: Ensure all mechanical designs and processes comply with relevant industry standards and regulations. Maintain comprehensive documentation throughout the design and development process.
Leadership and Mentorship: Provide technical leadership to the Mechanical Engineering team and mentor junior engineers, fostering a culture of innovation, excellence, and continuous learning.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field; Master's or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering is a plus.
Proven track record of 6+ years of experience in Mechanical Engineering, with a specific focus on power electronics, thermal management, potting, and NEMA6 enclosure design.
Preferred Qualifications:
Strong expertise in thermal analysis and design for power electronics systems, including proficiency in using simulation tools like ANSYS, COMSOL, or equivalent.
Experience with enclosure design and potting techniques for protection against environmental factors.
Solid understanding of power electronics principles, including power modules, inverters, converters, and related components.
Proficiency in CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, AutoCAD) for 3D modeling and mechanical design.
Knowledge of industry standards and regulations related to power electronics and thermal management (e.g., IPC, JEDEC, UL).
Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively in a team environment.
Leadership experience and a strong sense of accountability for project deliverables.
Compensation:
Generac is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. The salary range for this role based in Pacific Palisades, California is $148,000-219,000 USD. This compensation will ultimately be in line with the location in which the position is filled. Final compensation for this role will be determined by various factors such as a candidate’s relevant work experience, skills, certifications, and geographic location.
Physical demands:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear; and use hands to manipulate objects or controls. The employee is regularly required to stand and walk. On occasion the incumbent may be required to stoop, bend or reach above the shoulders. The employee must occasionally lift up to 25 pounds. Specific conditions of this job are typical of frequent and continuous computer-based work requiring periods of sitting; close vision and ability to adjust focus. Occasional travel.
“We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.”