Location – Minneapolis MN

Onsite/Hybrid – Hybrid

Summary:

We are seeking an experienced Contractor Senior Electrical Engineer to join our Hardware Engineering team.

• In this role, you will lead the design, and validation of robust, mixed-signal printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs) utilized in mission-critical transport refrigeration control systems.
• You will work across the entire product lifecycle—from translating system requirements to delivering ruggedized, high-reliability production hardware that withstands extreme environmental conditions, electrical transients, and rigorous operating demands.

Core Job Responsibilities (others may be added):

Hardware Design

• Full-Lifecycle PCBA Ownership: Lead end-to-end design, schematic capture, and layout of mixed-signal, microcontroller-based embedded control boards from initial concept through high-volume production release.
• Mixed-Signal & Analog Front-End (AFE): Engineer precision sensor interfaces (RTDs, NTC thermistors, pressure transducers, current sensing) and robust analog-to-digital acquisition circuits for accurate thermal and pressure control.
• Power Distribution & Actuator Drive: Design power stages and drive circuitry for automotive actuators (Electronic Expansion Valves / EEVs, solenoids, contactors, high-current fans, and pumps), incorporating solid-state switching, eFuses, and discrete protection.
• Power & Transient Protection: Implement robust circuit protection compliant with harsh automotive power distribution systems (12V, 24V, and 48V architectures), mitigating load dump, reverse polarity, overvoltage/undervoltage, and high-energy transients (e.g., ISO 7637, ISO 16750, ISO 21780).
• Communication Interfaces: Integrate industry-standard physical layers and transceivers, including CAN (SAE J1939), LIN, RS-485/Modbus, Ethernet, and interfaces to telematics modules.

CAD, Layout & Manufacturing Enablement

• ECAD & Design Integrity: Utilize advanced ECAD tools (Altium Designer) for schematic capture, library management, and in-depth PCB layout reviews (thermal management, high-current trace routing, signal integrity, and creepage/clearance rules).
• Supplier Collaboration: Partner closely with PCB supplier and contract manufacturers (CM) to resolve DFM/DFA inquiries, panelization strategies, and assembly challenges to ensure successful pilot and volume builds.

Verification, EMC & Hands-On Bring-Up

• Lab Bring-Up & Diagnostics: Drive hands-on board bring-up, debugging, functional verification, and root-cause failure analysis of prototype and pre-production hardware using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and dynamic loads.
• EMI/EMC Compliance: Apply rigorous design-for-EMC practices to PCB layout and enclosure grounding. Lead debugging and resolution of board- and system-level radiated/conducted emissions and immunity issues (e.g., CISPR 25, ISO 11452, ISO 10605 ESD).
• Test Strategy & Automation: Define design verification plans (DVP&R), specify automated test equipment (ATE) requirements, and design test fixtures and interface harnesses for benchtop and manufacturing validation.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Leadership

• Production & Quality Partnership: Serve as the direct engineering liaison to manufacturing operations, diagnosing pilot/production electrical anomalies and executing configuration-controlled Engineering Change Orders (ECO/ECN).
• Interdisciplinary Execution: Collaborate tightly with systems, mechanical packaging, firmware/software, thermal, reliability, supply chain, and project management teams.
• Technical Guidance: Technical knowledge transfer, peer design reviews, and deliverable-focused collaboration, help technical leads estimate scope, evaluate component obsolescence/second sourcing, and delegate engineering tasks.