R&D Engineer

Position Summary

Powell’s products include class-leading vacuum circuit breakers, monitoring, sensing and control electronics, communications and software systems, switchgear, motor control, and safety-focused enclosure systems. Powell’s 80-year leadership in vacuum switching technology and arc-flash safety is widely known and in use globally, while being designed and manufactured in multiple facilities in the US, Canada and the UK. One of our three Houston-area manufacturing facilities also includes a prototyping shop and UL-certified high voltage and high current lab, where you will be able to model and validate the performance of your designs in real time. Posted position does not allow for sponsorship.

Essential Responsibilities

• Propose concepts and develop complex level designs for both existing and new product lines.
• Develop innovative designs that meet profit, cost, quality, and time-to-market metrics.
• Determine and specify design parameters, validate according to standards, and prepare documentation.
• Investigate patentable concepts.
• Participate in validation and testing of components/system or assemblies in the development and validation process.
• Develop test plans based on Process/Design failure mode and effects analysis (D/PFMEA), project specifications, industry standards, and reliability and validation requirements for both internal and external laboratories.
• Participate in laboratory testing, analysis of data, and create corrective action plans.
• Ensure project designs meet requirements of specification and standards while promoting error-proof assembly.
• Prepare written documentation of processes, material requirements, test results, and project activity as required.
• Understand and enforce regulatory document requirements.
• Interface with outside vendors, consultants, and customers.
• Work with third-party vendors to develop high-quality, lowest-cost design options.
• Continuously improve engineering processes including, Design for Excellence (DFX) project and product costs, quality, and project lead times.
• Collaborate and provide Engineering support to Sales/Product Management and Manufacturing on new products and processes.
• Participate in and facilitate the Product Development Process.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical, Mechanical Engineering or Power Engineering.
• 4+ years of progressive experience in Engineering design and/or development on technical and innovative projects.

Strong technical knowledge in the following categories per discipline:

• Electrical: schematics, wiring, circuit breakers, instrument transformers, distribution systems, power systems (low/medium voltage).
• Mechanical: Molded Components or Mechanism Design, castings, and metal fabricated parts.
• Working knowledge of electromechanical product design and development.
• Working knowledge of switchgear and/or controls.
• Experience with medium/high voltage electrical power systems preferred.
• Experience creating and reviewing DFMEA and PFMEA process and documents preferred.
• Experience developing projects within a Stage-Gate Process.

Skills, Abilities & Other Requirements

• Ability to work with a multi-discipline team (electrical, civil, mechanical, fabrication, operations, sales, etc.)
• Ability to explain ideas and concepts to others with diverse levels of specialty and background
• Able to prioritize and manage time effectively. (Self-motivated and self-managing).
• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving ability.
• Participation in industry organizations (associations, standards committees, etc.) to stay informed of and to influence industry activities a plus.
• Proven experience with computers; Microsoft Office, Microsoft Project, or equivalents.
• Ability to write/edit technical documents, test reports, engineering standards, industry technical papers.
• Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to quickly respond to strategic and tactical changes.

*Occasional overnight travel required (10%-20%) of the time.

Working & Environmental Conditions

The employee typically performs duties in a normal office environment. There will be some work in our manufacturing shop facilities, as well as on our electrical test lab.