Mechatronics Engineer III / Electrical Engineer III

Sierra Space•Durham, NC

About The Position

The Mechatronics Engineer III / Electrical Engineer III leads the design, development, modification, and evaluation of complex electromechanical components and systems. The role is suited to professionals with a strong background in electrical engineering, mechatronics, and/or motion control systems. As the Responsible Engineer for discrete technical packages, the engineer supports successful project execution and maintains technical excellence throughout the process. The role develops system-level architecture trades involving electromechanical actuators and motion-control electronics, performs advanced simulations, and translates system requirements into component requirements. It also contributes technical input to make-or-buy decisions for motion-control electronics, validates system and component performance through testing and simulation, documents designs and results, and helps guide departmental strategy. The position includes learning from and receiving mentorship from more experienced engineers.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a related field, or equivalent work experience in lieu of a degree; alternatively, a master's degree plus 3 years of experience.
Typically 5 or more years of related experience.
Advanced knowledge of electrical fundamentals, applicable tools, methodologies, and principles.
Experience with simulation software such as SPICE, Simsolid, MATLAB/Simulink, or similar.
Prior experience in motor design and motor selection.
Solid understanding of position-feedback devices such as potentiometers, resolvers, and encoders.
Intermediate knowledge of requirements management, functional-requirement parsing, derivation, and allocation.
Experience performing trade studies to support subsystem architecture decisions, including risk identification and management.

Nice To Haves

Experience serving as a Responsible Engineer and driving hardware through its lifecycle, including development, qualification, integration and test, verification and validation, and certification.
Proficiency in electrical design software such as Capital, AutoCAD Electrical, Altium Designer, or similar tools.
Ability to perform circuit analysis and troubleshooting using oscilloscopes, multimeters, and logic analyzers.
Hands-on experience in assembly, integration, and test.
Strong leadership and communication skills.
Knowledge of electronics for spaceflight motor-control applications, including stepper, BLDC, two-phase, and three-phase motors; potentiometer, resolver, and encoder telemetry; communication protocols such as RS-422, CAN, and bilevel voltage; LEO, MEO, and GEO radiation environments; and EEE parts considerations such as derating, classes, and obsolescence.

Responsibilities

Develop and conduct system-level architecture trades involving electromechanical actuators and motion-control electronics, including closed-loop systems.
Perform advanced simulations of electromechanical systems, including dynamics and performance.
Decompose system requirement documents into component requirement documents.
Conduct tests and simulations to validate electromechanical system and component performance.
Own technical input into make-or-buy trades for motion-control electronics and stay current with internal and external offerings.
Document design processes, test results, and modifications for future reference.
Stay up to date with advancements in electrical engineering and provide guidance on future departmental strategy for motion-control electronics.
Learn from and receive instruction and mentorship from more experienced engineers.