Electrical Engineer Prototyping

Clopay•Mason, OH

22h•$110,000 - $130,000•Onsite

About The Position

Clopay Corporation and CornellCookson are hiring an Electrical Engineer for a hands-on, lab-based prototyping and applied innovation role in Mason, Ohio. The engineer will turn early ideas into working circuits, assemblies, and demonstrators, then help refine promising concepts into future products across the Clopay and CornellCookson product lines. The work involves rapid prototyping, embedded programming, circuit and PCB design, assembly and rework, testing and signal analysis, and documentation of prototype results. The engineer will explore concepts related to residential and commercial door systems, including motor control, sensing and safety detection, power electronics, wireless connectivity, and smart-home or IoT integration. The role also supports the transition of proven concepts into product development and helps maintain the electronics lab.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Electrical Engineering Technology.
At least 3 years of hands-on electrical engineering experience in product development, prototyping, R&D, or a test/lab environment.
Demonstrated ability to design and build functional prototype circuits from concept, including analog, digital, and mixed-signal circuits.
Practical experience with Arduino, Raspberry Pi, or similar rapid development platforms, and embedded programming in C/C++ and/or Python.
Proficiency with standard lab equipment, including oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, DMMs, power supplies, and function generators, along with sound measurement and signal analysis techniques.
Working knowledge of interfaces and protocols such as I2C, SPI, UART, RS-485, CAN, and PWM.
Strong soldering, rework, and hands-on assembly skills.
Schematic capture and basic PCB layout experience.
Self-directed and curious, and comfortable working with ambiguity and turning loosely defined ideas into working demonstrations.
Clear written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences.

Nice To Haves

A portfolio of personal, academic, or professional builds, such as photos, repositories, videos, or write-ups, demonstrating a maker mindset.
Experience with motor control (DC, BLDC, or AC induction), motor drivers, and power electronics.
Experience with wireless technologies such as Bluetooth Low Energy, Wi-Fi, Zigbee/Thread/Matter, or sub-GHz RF.
Experience with sensors and safety-related detection, including photoelectric, IR, current sensing, edge sensors, or encoders.
Familiarity with Linux on single-board computers, Git, and scripting for test automation and data analysis using Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW, or similar tools.
Experience with spectrum analysis, EMC pre-compliance testing, or familiarity with UL 325, UL 991, and FCC Part 15 requirements.
Basic CAD and 3D-printing experience for enclosures and fixtures.
Experience in building products, access control, or the garage door/door operator industry.

Responsibilities

Design, build, and debug proof-of-concept circuits, assemblies, and working demonstrators in the lab.
Rapidly prototype with development platforms such as Arduino, Raspberry Pi, ESP32, and STM32 Nucleo, plus breadboards, perfboard, off-the-shelf modules, and quick-turn PCBs.
Capture schematics, lay out simple to moderately complex PCBs, and coordinate quick-turn fabrication and assembly.
Hand-build and rework assemblies, including through-hole and surface-mount soldering, wire harnesses, connectors, and enclosures; partner with mechanical engineers on fixtures and housings.
Write embedded and scripting code in C/C++ and MicroPython/Python for sensors, motors, actuators, and wired or wireless communications.
Explore and demonstrate concepts for residential and commercial door systems, including motor control, sensing and safety detection, power electronics, wireless connectivity, and smart-home or IoT integration.
Characterize circuits and systems using lab instrumentation.
Perform signal analysis on prototype and production hardware, including noise, timing, power quality, RF/wireless performance, and data acquisition, and summarize findings.
Build test fixtures, automated test rigs, and data-logging setups to evaluate concepts and existing products under realistic operating and environmental conditions.
Document prototypes and results, including schematics, bills of material, code, test data, and lessons learned.
Present demonstrations and recommendations to Engineering, Product Management, Marketing, and leadership, and help assess feasibility, cost, and risk.
Support product engineering teams in transitioning proven concepts into product development, including design reviews and early compliance considerations.
Evaluate new components, sensors, modules, and emerging technologies, and keep the lab current with tools and techniques.
Help maintain and organize the electronics lab, including equipment, component inventory, and safe work practices.
Complete other engineering projects as assigned.