Senior Failure Analysis Engineer, Medium Voltage Transformers and Switchgear

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As the U.S. subsidiary of SMA Solar Technology AG, we have been at the forefront of solar inverter technology since 1981, developing solutions that make photovoltaic power plants simpler, more reliable, safer, and more cost effective. Headquartered in Rocklin, California, SMA America has spent more than two decades ...

Innovation is only part of the story. We invest in our people, create room to grow, challenge conventional thinking, and protect a culture where teammates genuinely care about each other and the work. We hire capable people and give them the space to do the job, with clear expectations, open door leadership, and rea...

Lead hands on field failure investigations on medium voltage equipment, including site inspection, electrical testing, teardown and evidence collection.
Perform technical failure and data analyses, and determine the failure mechanism and specific root cause.
Apply the 8D method for systematic root cause identification.
Ensure analyses are evidence based, documented in compliance with standards and global processes, and aligned with the requirements of internal and external stakeholders.
Conduct initial site analyses and on site technical evaluations, and provide technical consultation.
Create detailed failure descriptions and collaborate with headquarters to advise and support other functions.
Recognize and document known failure patterns and provide technical expertise to resolve them.
Collaborate with interdisciplinary and international teams to implement sustainable corrective and preventive actions.
Execute, monitor and evaluate corrective actions implemented by service teams and suppliers, and confirm their effectiveness.
Collaborate closely with Customer Quality, Supplier Quality and regional functions.
Maintain close collaboration with the analysis unit at SMA headquarters and the application engineering team in the U.S.
Travel approximately 20 to 30% to customer sites for failure investigation and fact gathering, and to the Rocklin, CA office and tradeshows as needed.
Other duties as may be required or assigned.

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, electrical engineering or a related field, or equivalent education. Master’s degree preferred.
Minimum 7 years of experience in research and development, technical failure analysis and quality engineering, with a background in customer relations.
Hands on field failure investigation experience on medium voltage equipment, such as transformers, switchgear or converters, is required and is the primary focus of this role. This experience may come from the solar or energy industry or from medium voltage work in another industry.
Demonstrated ability to identify the failure mechanism and specific root cause of a medium voltage equipment failure, using site evidence, electrical test results and physical damage analysis.
Expertise in the 8D method for corrective action and quality tools including 5 Why, Ishikawa diagramming and Pareto analysis.
Experience in solar, utility, power generation or another industry where medium voltage equipment is in service.
Ability to present quality findings and corrective actions to senior leadership.
Excellent communication and collaboration skills across cross functional and international teams.
Ability to travel approximately 20 to 30%, including to customer sites and the Rocklin, CA office.
Availability for occasional early morning meetings with headquarters in Germany.
Proficiency in written and verbal English is required. Proficiency in German is a plus.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word, PowerPoint and Excel, is required.
Experience performing or interpreting medium voltage electrical tests, such as insulation resistance, power factor, turns ratio and dissolved gas analysis.
NETA Level III or IV certification, or equivalent electrical testing credentials.
Experience with an electrical testing services firm, a utility, or a transformer or switchgear OEM field service group.
Experience with hermetically sealed equipment.
Working knowledge of SAP, Salesforce and JIRA.

Extent of responsibility: Regional.