R&D Product Engineer

Summary of Position

As an R&D Product Engineer, you will be responsible for driving the research and development initiatives to enhance the efficiency, performance, and reliability of our solar panel products. Collaborating with the R&D team, you will contribute to the development of cutting-edge technologies, ensuring that our products remain at the forefront of the industry.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the R&D team to conduct research and experiments aimed at enhancing the efficiency, performance, and reliability of solar products. Stay informed about the latest developments and innovations in the solar industry and propose ideas for new product features or improvements.
• Design and execute experiments to evaluate the performance and durability of new solar technologies and materials. Analyze test data and provide insights to guide decision-making in product development.
• Execute DFMEA and PFMEA exercises to de-risk implementation of new processes, materials and technologies.
• Participate in the prototyping process, assisting in the design and construction of new solar prototypes and conducting performance tests to assess their feasibility and potential for mass production. Prototyping efforts include:
  • New component evaluation
  • New product designs
  • Validation of new manufacturing processes
  • New product and/or component certifications
  • External reliability and performance testing
• Utilize analytical tools and software to process and interpret research data. Present findings and results to the R&D team and other stakeholders in a clear and concise manner.
• Responsible for developing comprehensive test plans and generating detailed reports of internal qualification testing, performance, degradation, and defect analysis for reliability testing.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams, including engineering, production, and quality to integrate research findings into the product development process. Maintain effective communication channels to exchange knowledge and progress updates.
• Evaluate emerging solar technologies, materials, and equipment to identify potential areas for improvement and competitive advantages.
• Assist in the identification and protection of intellectual property through patents and other relevant means.
• Support all activities relevant to new product introduction (NPI) of new designs/product and engineering change management.
• Collect relevant manufacturing data related to prototyping, trial production runs, and as-built new designs
• Participate in the selection of strategic suppliers for standard product supply as well as R&D activities.
• Lead the root cause failure analysis for products returning from the field via RMA/RCA process as well as third-party test samples
• Establish internal product specifications and qualification requirements from external suppliers
• Support the operations team for establishing and troubleshooting manufacturing processes per ISO 9001 requirements
• Lead continual improvement processes with regards to product design, NPI, and engineering change management
• Ensure all R&D activities adhere to safety regulations and compliance requirements.

Requirements

Skills

• Proficiency in conducting experiments, data analysis, and using relevant software tools.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, with the ability to think creatively and analytically to overcome technical challenges.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, to effectively present research findings and interact with team members and stakeholders.

Traits

• A strong passion for renewable energy and an innovative mindset to envision and explore new possibilities in solar technology.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment and contribute to collective research goals.
• Willingness to embrace new ideas, adapt to changing priorities, and thrive in a dynamic R&D setting.

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, related field or equivalent experience.
• 2-6 years in an R&D or product engineering environment, preferably in the renewable energy or solar industry.