Senior Validation Engineer (m/w/d)

ConnectDER (www.ConnectDER.com) represents the next generation in US-based resource technology product development. Our signature product, the ConnectDER Meter Socket Adapter, dramatically cuts down the cost and interconnection time for solar energy, EV charging, and home battery storage, putting clean, resilient power within reach of millions of homeowners. With a pipeline of exciting innovations, we’re only just getting started on our journey to transform how the world makes and consumes its energy.

We are a dynamic, venture-backed company based in Philadelphia, PA, near Center City, with a team of over 50 dedicated professionals. As we continue to grow rapidly, we are committed to developing cutting-edge products that empower technology partners, installers, electricians, and their customers. We seek talented individuals who can deliver high-quality service and drive the value of clean energy resources forward.

Working at ConnectDER offers a dynamic and exciting start-up environment, where your work can make a real impact in the fast-growing renewable energy industry. You'll work closely with a team that is passionate about renewable energy, and making smart, simple, easy to use solutions. We're hard-working and truly encourage innovation, so there’s a great chance that your ideas can help shape the future of the company. If you're looking for a job opportunity that offers growth, creativity, and a chance to be part of something new and meaningful, ConnectDER is the place for you!

Job Description

ABOUT THE ROLE

Reporting directly to the Senior Manager of Quality Assurance, the Senior Hardware Validation Engineer will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of ConnectDER products. As the Senior Hardware Validation Engineer, you'll spearhead product validation and equipment qualification, driving innovation through test case creation, execution, and cutting-edge data analysis. Your expertise will be critical in delivering insightful statistical analysis, conducting risk and failure assessments, and ensuring that our products meet the highest quality and reliability standards. You'll be at the forefront of verifying product performance against industry benchmarks, guaranteeing that every product exceeds quality expectations and complies with rigorous requirements.

This is an on-site position, requiring 5 days/week in our Philadelphia, PA office

Core Functions/Duties

• Work with Electrical and Mechanical Engineering teams to design, develop, document, and execute Test Strategies and methodologies for functional and performance testing, including test fixtures and instrumentation to plan, budget, and equip an in-house validation test lab.
• Working from the Product Requirements and applicable Standards, define sets of validation test cases to execute during test cycles for new products and engineering or material changes. Provide detailed Test Plans, Test Reports, and maintain a repository of applicable test scenarios and results.
• Develop and execute Reliability/Life Cycle/Environmental testing, including ALT/HALT/HASS/HAST, Rain, Salt-Spray, Vibration, Shock, Drop, and Transportation to help validate product warranty periods, anticipated failure rates, analyze specific component failure, life cycles and minimize RMA rates.
• Develop, plan, and manage external certification processes against applicable safety and quality standards – UL (414, 916, 489), ANSI (C12), NEC (2020,2023), etc., including working with external test labs and on-site witness testing, scheduling, and performing certification tests.
• Stay abreast of standard changes in the product space and how they evolve to new requirements with changes in technology.
• Plan and coordinate all product validation activities, including test priorities, material availability, test resource scheduling, troubleshooting and root cause analysis, defect assessments, remediations, and re-testing strategies.
• Participate as required in project activities such as reviews of requirements, specification, code, design, construction, manufacturing.
• Be the champion for Design for Test within the team.
• Review product specifications, analyze defect trends, failure rates, determine product MTBF, predicted warranty/RMA rates, and provide feedback into the design engineering and requirements process to improve reliability and manufacturability of future products and product enhancements.
• Design and implement test automation strategies to improve the efficiency and repeatability of the test execution.
• Establish and document company-wide performance on product quality, and reliability criteria, tracking products in development and in production; Report performance quarterly.
• Prepare and maintain testing equipment, including equipment calibration certificates, and ensure damaged equipment is promptly repaired.
• Mentor other employees and share best practices, testing methodologies, and technical skills.

Compensation

Compensation range for this role begins at $110,000 + bonus + equity

All full-time employees receive access to comprehensive benefits including:

• Health insurance plan - we cover 75% for employees, spouses, and children.
• Flexible paid time off – take the time off that you need.
• 401K with company match – we want to help you meet your future financial goals.
• Equity stock options - your opportunity to share in the success of the company.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Qualifications

WHO YOU ARE

PASSION – you thrive on creativity and invention and you understand how your work can impact the greater good.

ACCOUNTABILITY – people can count on you to do what you say, to take ownership of your performance, and to work hard to accomplish your goals.

INTEGRITY – you act with sound judgment, honesty, dependability, and consistency.

INCLUSION – you create an environment which fosters authenticity, diversity, innovation, collaboration, and respect.

ENTREPRENEURIAL – you enjoy working in a continuously evolving environment where everyone’s contribution is valued and essential.

MISSION-DRIVEN – you’re excited about renewable energy and you have a passion for clean technology.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, or related field, Required

Required Experience

• 8+ years’ experience as a reliability or validation engineer or in a similar role
• Experience in system integration testing and hardware reliability testing of electrical and/or electromechanical systems or mechanical hardware with NRTL listings, or hardware / software-based products in the energy sector.
• Extensive experience in validating hardware products that must meet stringent reliability standards, including varying warranty periods, expected life spans, and RMA rates.
• Experience in test automation and reliability simulations including an ability to semi-automate and automate testing via technology and scripting.
• Experience in writing clear, concise, and comprehensive test plans, test strategies, test cases, and test reports.
• Experience with designing and executing environmental testing (temperature, rain, vibration, etc.)
• Experience designing and executing reliability growth testing (ALT/HALT/HAST/HASS).

Preferred Experience

• Experience in test development and/or certification for Electric Meters, Meter Sockets and Adapters, Circuit Breakers, or AC power management applications.
• Experience testing Injection Molded Enclosures
• Previous experience working with Test Management tools. Experience with Jira and Zephyr Scale a plus
• Previous experience working in Six Sigma Quality Standard environments.
• Specific experience with UL414, ANSI C12.1, UL746C, UL2745, UL1449, UL489, and IEC 60068-2 are a plus.

Key Competencies

• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and safety regulations
• Strong knowledge of QA methodologies, tools, and processes
• Strong knowledge of ANSI and UL standards and testing procedures.
• Excellent mathematical and analytical skills with attention to detail
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with a team, minimal supervision expected for day-to-day activities, and cross functional engagement.
• Motivated and resourceful
• Expertise and professionalism communicating in written and oral form.
• Conflict resolution and advanced problem-solving skills

Work Environment/Physical Demands: Must have the ability to work on a computer for extended periods of time with or without accommodation.