What is an Electrical Engineer at Motivo?
At Motivo, our Electrical Engineers are highly valued and versatile team members. They are the linchpin in executing complex hardware and power electronics projects from concept to fabrication. We look for creative problem-solvers with a keen eye for detail and the ability to balance competing priorities.
Working closely with a Project Manager, Systems Engineer, and Mechanical leads, an Electrical Engineer guides focused engineering teams through the initial phases of product development. This involves:
- Planning technical and programmatic aspects of controller architecture.
- Defining and reviewing complete electrical architectures, ensuring High Voltage (HV) safety and performance.
- Identifying and managing technical and programmatic risks, specifically regarding redundancy and reliability.
- Identifying key components, such as MCUs and Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) motor drive PCBs.
- Leading technical teams to successful hardware project completion.
In later phases, you'll lead brainstorms, review PCB layouts, provide technical guidance, and assist with debugging and troubleshooting during hardware integration and validation & verification (V&V) activities. An ideal candidate possesses a strong understanding of power electronics, PCB layout, and high-voltage systems to effectively communicate and understand their interactions. This role is perfect for an incredibly sharp engineer with an insatiable curiosity for all aspects of engineering!
Key Responsibilities
As an Electrical Engineer, you will:
- Develop schematics and layout custom PCBs to bridge custom Microcontroller Units (MCUs), motor drive boards, and system interfaces.
- Design robust, safe power electronics circuitry capable of handling 800V systems, focusing on solid-state or electromechanical switching circuits to multiplex between high-voltage inputs.
- Conduct trade studies and analyses to support critical design decisions, such as 1-motor vs. 2-motor redundancy and determining the optimal controller-to-motor mapping.
- Collaborate with clients and internal teams to define and manage clear Interface Control Documents (ICDs) and select optimal communication protocols (CAN, CAN-FD, Ethernet).
- Oversee the integration of high-voltage hardware, working dynamically with Mechanical Engineers to ensure seamless packaging and thermal management of power electronics.
- Mentor and guide junior engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence in PCB design and high-voltage safety.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Power Electronics, or a related field.
- 7+ years of professional experience in an electrical engineering role with a proven track record of successfully delivering complex, multidisciplinary hardware projects.
- Extensive hands-on experience with schematic capture and PCB layout software (e.g., Altium Designer) specifically for complex power electronics.
- Proven track record working directly with High Voltage (800V+) systems, including a deep understanding of clearance/creepage standards, galvanic isolation, and high-voltage safety practices.
- Demonstrated experience in motor controller system design, integrating custom control logic with COTS motor drive boards.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with internal teams and external clients and drive critical decisions.
- A passion for innovation and a desire to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Preferred
- Master of Science in a relevant engineering discipline.
- Experience in industries such as aerospace, electric vehicles (EV), or robotics.
- Familiarity with industry standards for aerospace hardware (e.g., DO-254) or automotive (e.g., ISO 26262).
- Experience conducting Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) for redundant hardware architectures.
- A portfolio of successfully launched, high-power electromechanical products.
Benefits
We’re convinced that the team and the projects are hands-down the best part of working at Motivo. To support that, we offer a solid benefits package including high-quality insurance, a 401(k) match, generous vacation time, and our Monday–Thursday 4/10 work week. We offer profit-sharing bonuses, which are tied to overall company performance, because we believe in winning together; we’re transparent about the company’s numbers, and when our hard work drives financial success, employees may share in the upside.
Base Salary Range:$110,000 - $130,000
Salary is dependent on experience, knowledge and interview performance.
About Motivo
We are looking for a passionate, enthusiastic multidisciplinary engineer, capable of leading the technical decision-making process in electro-mechanical projects that require a solid system architecture. Motivo is a project-based product development company focused on designing systems containing mechanical, electrical, and software components. Our programs typically span from clean-sheet design through prototype validation, though we occasionally shepherd our clients through to the start of production as well. We develop products for diverse market segments, including mobility/automotive, medical/health/fitness, industrial automation, energy storage and conversion, aerospace, consumer devices, and more. We are the secret weapon behind many early-stage startups seeking to develop their first product, as well as Fortune 500 R&D branches looking to innovate on their next flagship product.