Company Generac Power Systems
Name Principal Engineer - Controls
Req # 64126
Employment Type Full Time
Shift 1st
At Generac, our people help make the world safer, brighter and more productive. We are united by our efforts to inspire change for a better world; impact our people and community; influence and achieve positive results; and innovate the industry. Our shared goals allow people with diverse backgrounds and points of view to work together, bringing our global customers peace of mind through reliable products and exceptional support.
Job Summary:
The Principal Engineer provides technical leadership across one or more business groups by exploring existing and new technologies to optimize market opportunity and fuel business growth.
The role interfaces with the cross functional teams across the organization consisting of engineering, operations (industrial engineering, production, and material procurement), sourcing, quality, service, and marketing.
This position reports to the Director - Engineering Electronics.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Research new, specialized technologies and further perfects existing technologies for potential to match market needs and opportunities resulting in substantial business growth
- Lead innovation by developing patents, trade secrets, etc. and supporting others doing the same.
- Develop new techniques, practices and processes utilizing new and existing technologies to enhance organizational performance
- Serve as an expert resource within the organization to guide and mentor engineering staff including reviewing designs and providing feedback, proactively identifying risk and proposing mitigations/contingencies, proposing ideas/options to improve project speed/timeliness, etc.
- Support the leadership team with respect to technical and functional strategy
- Support and represent the organization as an industry leader in electrical/electronics engineering.
- Lead and assist teams in technology application/optimization and addressing difficult and complex technical challenges by stimulating cooperation and knowledge sharing across one or more business groups.
- Designs, validates, and brings new products and technologies to market
- Specifies precise new product and technology functional requirements; designs, tests and integrates the most complex components to produce final designs; and evaluates the design's overall effectiveness, cost (including cost/benefit analysis), reliability (risk analysis), and safety
- Collaborates with internal manufacturing partners, contract manufacturers, designers and product specialists to optimize the most unique and complex designs and technologies
- Collaborates cross-functionally to optimize profitability by keeping development and product costs minimized while still delivering on key product objectives; pro-actively analyzes tradeoffs and presents options as appropriate
- Drives substantial business growth as a direct result of their activities
- Acts as a resource to mentor and teach less experienced engineers
- Travel globally to other Generac and key supplier/partner facilities as necessary
- Other duties as assigned
Minimal Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical or Electronics Engineering or related discipline
- 15 years of relevant work experience in power generation or similar industry, particularly electronics/controls aspects
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master's Degree in Electrical or Electronics Engineering or directly related discipline
- Excellent writing skills
- 7-10+ years of demonstrated success as a technical innovator in a relevant manufacturing organization; power generation or related industry strongly preferred; power electronics also preferred
- Published papers and or holder of one or more patents
- Ability to perform detail-oriented work with a high degree of accuracy on multiple, complex projects simultaneously
- Ability to conduct complex analyses of communications reliability, thermal management/performance, mechanical packaging design, environmental impacts/performance, etc.
- Ability to translate technical information to all audiences
- Demonstrated ability to apply engineering knowledge and experience to improve products, services and processes and mentor other engineers in design, development, risk identification, troubleshooting, issue resolution, innovation, etc.
Skills:
- Broad design experience with a variety of electronics including power electronics, engine controls, displays, connectivity modules, etc.
- Well-developed electronics related technical skills to include hardware, firmware (C/C++), and software development
- In-depth experience in new product design and development with consumer products
- Experience sitting on a regulatory committee in a technical role
- Experience in test & validation plan and procedure development and execution including multiple methods (HIL/SIL, bench component and/or system testing, fault injection methods, etc.)
- Experience in simulation and model-based design best practices
LEVEL OF INDEPENDENCE:
- Executes the essential duties and responsibilities proactively with little or no supervision in a complex environment. Additional examples below:
- Is recognized as an expert within the organization, both within and beyond own function
- Is currently or has had active participation in relevant industry organization(s)
- Anticipates & communicates internal and/or external business challenges and/or regulatory issues
- Identifies, develops, and recommends process, product or service improvements
- Demonstrates high level of business acumen
- Solves unique and complex problems that have a broad impact on the business
- Demonstrates strong decision-making skills
- May lead cross-functional/cross-business group technology development teams to achieve milestones and objectives
- Ensures success cross-functionally
- Takes ownership of designs
- Writes & rolls out standards and procedures
- Generates learning tools for others
- Demonstrates excellent conceptualization, visualization, and creativity
- Demonstrates excellent time management, prioritization, and analytical problem solving
- Adaptable, able to adjust to ongoing changes and improvements
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 include 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."