Electrical Engineer - Motor Drives, Controls & Systems

Hunter Fan Company•Smyrna, TN

2d•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking an experienced Electrical Engineer to join our team, focusing on motor drives, controls, and systems. This role involves owning the design and specification of electrical components and subsystems, defining electrical architectures, and ensuring designs meet regulatory standards. You will lead the integration and tuning of VFD-driven systems, collaborate with firmware engineers, and analyze complex issues related to power electronics and system performance. The position also requires defining and executing test plans, leading EMC/EMI compliance efforts, and architecting industrial communication interfaces. You will serve as the electrical engineering lead on projects, work with suppliers and manufacturing, and mentor junior engineers. Responsibilities include root-cause analysis, refining test methods, and seeking opportunities for design improvement.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering required
Typically 5–8+ years of electrical design experience
Proven track record taking complex electromechanical products from concept to production
Deep understanding of electrical engineering concepts, including AC/DC power conversion, motors, and protection
Strong experience with industrial communication protocols (Modbus, BACnet, EtherCAT)
Proficiency with schematic/PCB tools (Altium, OrCAD)
Hands-on skills with lab instrumentation (oscilloscopes, analyzers, DAQ)
Experience with EMC/EMI design and compliance
Strong analytical, communication, and leadership skills
Self-driven, organized, and capable of owning deliverables

Nice To Haves

Experience mentoring junior engineers is a plus

Responsibilities

Own the design and specification of electrical components and subsystems, including motors, control boards, VFD interfaces, wiring harnesses, power supplies, and communication modules.
Define and document electrical architectures for fan systems, including power distribution, control, protection, and communication topologies.
Create and maintain schematics, wiring diagrams, PCB documentation, and BOMs; review PCB layouts for best practices in power electronics, EMC, creepage/clearance, and manufacturability.
Apply sound engineering principles and DFx (DFM, DFT, DFA) to deliver designs that are reliable, safe, and compliant with regulatory standards.
Lead and participate in formal design reviews with electrical, mechanical, firmware, manufacturing, and compliance teams.
Lead integration and tuning of VFD-driven systems for HVLS and motor applications.
Collaborate closely with embedded/firmware engineers on motor-control strategies and hardware interface requirements.
Analyze and resolve complex issues related to inrush current, overcurrent faults, EMI/EMC interactions, harmonics, and thermal performance.
Evaluate new drive technologies and components for performance, cost, and long-term reliability.
Define and execute test plans for electrical performance, reliability, safety, environmental, and system-level behavior.
Drive DOE airflow testing strategy, electrical efficiency validation, and regulatory compliance.
Lead EMC/EMI pre-compliance and compliance efforts in collaboration with internal and external labs.
Ensure designs meet UL, IEC, DOE, FCC, and internal quality standards; interpret data and drive corrective actions.
Architect and implement robust industrial communication interfaces (Modbus RTU/TCP, BACnet, EtherCAT preferred).
Specify and guide development of communication modules and translator PCBs.
Support integration with HMIs, VFDs, and supervisory systems to ensure reliable system-level behavior.
Serve as electrical engineering lead on assigned projects.
Plan electrical tasks, provide updates, and assess risks.
Work with suppliers and manufacturing to qualify components, resolve production issues, and support cost reduction initiatives.
Mentor junior engineers and technicians.
Lead root-cause analysis for issues in development, validation, or field environments.
Define and refine test methods, fixtures, and automation.
Maintain high standards for data integrity, documentation, and lab safety.
Seek opportunities to simplify designs, reduce cost, and improve robustness.