Power Electronics, Senior Failure Analysis Engineer
Santa Clara, CA
Technology Group - Future Energy Technology Center – Quality & Reliability Team /
Full-time (Hybrid) /
Hybrid
Hanwha Q CELLS Co., Ltd., is one of the world´s largest and most recognized photovoltaic manufacturers for its high-performance, high-quality solar cells and modules. It is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea (Global Executive HQ) and Talheim, Germany (Technology & Innovation HQ). Through its growing global business network spanning Europe, North America, Asia, South America, Africa, and the Middle East, the company provides excellent services and long-term partnerships to its customers in the utility, commercial, government, and residential markets. Hanwha Q CELLS is a flagship company of Hanwha Group, a FORTUNE Global 500 firm and a Top 7 business enterprise in South Korea.
Our mission is to provide affordable and smart energy solutions through technology and innovation to create a sustainable future for the planet. We are expanding our business by offering revolutionary energy systems to residential customers including ESS, MLPE (power optimizers, micro-inverters), EV charging solutions, and Smart IoT with world-class solutions.
POSITION OVERVIEW
We are looking for a Senior Failure Analysis Engineer with a strong background in renewable power electronics products (DC/AC and AC/DC converters) and components (MOSFETs, IGBTs, capacitors, etc.). In this role, you will play a key role in supporting customer returns, new product introduction, and continual improvement of our ground-breaking products. As a successful candidate, you will implement and own the failure analysis process of our products from concept to design, development, manufacturing, and field operation to design-in, confirm, and grow exceptional Quality at every stage.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Perform device-level FA in a collaborative environment to support customer returns, product qualifications, yield excursions, and new product development.
- Perform electrical and physical fault isolation on power electronics products: DC/AC, AC/DC converters, BESS, etc. to identify the root cause of failure in a timely and efficient manner.
- Maintain FRACAS database, write failure analysis reports, and deliver presentations, for customer or internal use, that elucidate the root cause of failure and may suggest possible solutions. Collaborate with internal engineering teams to drive improvements.
- Work with quality engineering, field service engineering, and design teams to identify root causes and drive resolution for failures originating in product development, production, and in the field.
- Demonstrate competence with the operation and application of standard failure analysis tools and lab equipment. Evaluate and introduce new equipment and techniques to the failure analysis flow
- Developing and managing KPIs, databases, and countermeasures as required for continuous improvements of Qcells ground-breaking products.
- Multi-task and successfully handle multiple analyses in parallel.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- BS or MS, or PhD in EE
- 3+ years of experience working in power electronics / high voltage laboratory environment with a proven track record in performing failure analysis to component level (including relevant internship or academic lab work experience)
- Strong ability to read and interpret schematic and component data sheets and their applications.
- Knowledge of electrical tools and methods like Oscilloscopes, curve tracers, Thermal Imaging, etc. for fault isolation
- Experience with modern quality principles; including 8D reporting, Fishbone, FMEAs
- Familiarity with common components (MOSFETs, IGBTs, capacitors, etc.) failure mechanisms, and quality stress configurations
- Familiarity with FRACAS software or databases and a working knowledge of Reliability Analysis and Root Cause Analysis (RCA) techniques.
- Excellent analytical skills and problem-solving ability
- Strong technical writing and verbal communication skills
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Proven self-starter: identifies issues and creates solutions
- Experience in validation or applications engineering roles in the industry of solar, electric vehicle, and battery storage.
- Proficient in power electronics and power conversion topologies
- Startup experience preferred.
