Senior Robotics Mechanical Design Engineer, Solar Innovation

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The Senior Solar Robotics Mechanical Engineer will be a founding member of the solar innovation business responsible for redesigning the future of solar. The Senior Solar Robotics Mechanical Engineer will be responsible for design and develop complex mechanical systems and components for Atlas, a new growth business that accelerates solar deployment. The foundation of this business is Atlas, the AI-enabled solar module installation robot developed by AES with its key industry partners.

A successful candidate has a strong technical understanding of product development, problems investigation, product roadmap, robotics applications and mobility and will be an entrepreneurial, passionate individual responsible for actively progressing, developing, and executing the vision, roadmap, and product development of solar module installation robotic system. This individual will take on the responsibility of designing, developing, researching, and improving complex mechanical systems such as robotics applications, mobility (trailer and vehicle), ruggedized product, also, will be responsible to create and maintain product roadmap in close collaboration with robotics, controls and vision/AI engineers. As a leader in the Atlas business, this position will work collaboratively across the Atlas, external industry partners across the value chain, and AES teams, including engineering, business development, construction, finance, supply chain, and strategy. Atlas team members believe that accelerating decarbonization requires bold action, enabling AES to perform as an industry leader today and evolve to meet future needs while advancing the market for the greater good. The Atlas team embodies AES’ thought leadership through agility, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit. Major Responsibilities

• Conducting research to understand user needs and preferences.
• Developing concepts and sketches for new products.
• Design and develop complex mechanical systems and components for hardware products, ensuring high quality, reliability, and manufacturability.
• Develop, design, or modify mechanical engineering layouts/schematics and/or detailed drawings/specifications of difficult scope.
• Translate product level requirements into subsystem/module/component design criteria.
• Develop and implement design & verification of subsystem/Module/Components on schedule and at required cost, quality, and performance levels.
• Own engineering release of subsystem design including component and module CAD (Computer Aided Design), Drawings, and BOMs (Bill of Materials).
• Develop and collect knowledge required to deliver subsystem level excellence through Design Guides, FMEA (Failure Mode Effect Analysis), DVP&R (Design Verification Plan and Report), A3’s, Tolerance Stack Ups, and other documents.
• Manage design tradeoffs between cost, aesthetics, performance, and other design attributes.
• Align current capability of architecture solutions to meet product attribute targets and identify solutions for projects where current capability does not align to targets.
• Participate in and lead Technical Design Previews for owned components as needed.
• Coordinate prototype build plans to evaluate design concepts through physical lab testing.
• Prepare engineering change documentation.
• Define, coordinate, perform, and document engineering test reports.
• Develop and implement mobility solutions including battery electric, hybrid electric, clean diesel transit platform.
• Conduct research in structural, thermal, hydraulic, or dynamics modeling of mechanical systems.
• Apply systems safety methodologies as defined by industry standards.
• Develop and continuously update the landscape of technologies, trends, partners, and customer needs.
• Drive product improvements and development of requirements for the robotic system to enable delivery of near-term and future commitments.
• Identify and track key solar PV modules installation metrics for tier 1 solar tracker vendors.
• Support on the development of Atlas operations plan based on project requirements within the established schedule.
• Work across Atlas and AES leadership teams to build excitement and confidence around Atlas vision and objectives, and secure direct and indirect resources.
• Foster relationships and work collaboratively with AES businesses and platform units in the US, Americas and Eurasia related to the use of this technology in their region.
• Support periodic project updates and reporting to senior managers through preparation of project status and budget reports.
• Up to 25% travel may be required .

Qualifications

• Founder’s mentality: Entrepreneurial passion for getting things done and a “make it happen” attitude with an intellectual curiosity to seek new opportunities.
• Customer empathy: Strong capability to ideate new solutions and understand customer needs, while driving new products and solutions to market.
• Experience: Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering or related field with 5+ years of industry experience in product/machine development from concept to production with proficiency in CAD software (SolidWorks, AutoCAD), FEA and thermal analysis or other design and analysis software. MBA or similar continuing education preferred.
• Expertise: Deep knowledge in product/machine development, product/machine life cycle management, FEA and thermal analysis. Familiarity with regulatory compliance (e.g. CE, FCC, UL), materials science and manufacturing processes.
• Skill and Behavior: Capability to work dynamically and collaboratively across multiple teams in a fast-paced and technical business environment with minimal supervision. Excellent communication skills. Results-oriented, “can-do” attitude, and “get things done” mentality; comfortable with uncertainty and ambiguity; no compromise on attention to quality and details.
• **Technology fluency:**Demonstrated ability to understand solar engineering and technology concepts, question assumptions, and make informed product and technology decisions. Technical understanding of automation, robotics, computer vision, machine learning and/or artificial intelligence, is a plus. AES is an Equal Opportunity Employer who is committed to building strength and delivering long-term sustainability through diversity and inclusion. Respecting all backgrounds, differences and perspectives enables us to improve the lives of our people, customers, suppliers, contractors, and the communities in which we live and work. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and/or expression, race, national origin, ethnicity, age, religion, marital status, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law. E-Verify Notice: AES will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee's I-9 to confirm work authorization.