PURPOSE OF POSITION

The Service Engineer is responsible for maintaining utility and commercial inverters, PV Solar equipment, and customer site equipment at an assigned onsite location. This is a full-time, onsite-only role based at a utility-scale solar site in Needville, TX. Candidates must reside within one hour of the site (102 J C Wicks, Needville, TX 77461).

PRIMARY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

• Commissions, troubleshoots, repairs, and analyzes utility and commercial inverters, PV Solar equipment, and customer site equipment in the field.
• Performs DC tracker system maintenance, panel replacement, substation switching, site inspections, and inverter system operations.
• Operates heavy equipment as required by site conditions and scope.
• Develops a detailed knowledge of SMA's and other utility and commercial inverter products, associated PV accessories, site equipment, and third-party accessories installed at the customer site.
• Maintains a working knowledge of applicable National Electric and Electrical Safety Codes (NEC, NFPA70E, NESC, OSHA).
• Regularly works with high voltage DC electricity, low and medium voltage three-phase power, SCADA or third-party monitoring, and the relevant software and firmware of inverter and site equipment.
• Performs O&M activities across the full scope of the site — not limited to inverter work.
• Maintains a high level of customer satisfaction.
• Other duties may be required or assigned.

REQUIRED RELEVANT PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

• At least 2 years of experience in PV Solar and/or PV Solar O&M.
• At least 3 years of experience in electrical, electronic, and/or network communications are required.
• O&M field experience strongly preferred; back-shop or shop electrical backgrounds also considered.
• California Electrical License or Electrical Contractors license preferred.
• NABCEP Certification is strongly preferred.
• An associate's degree or equivalent years of service in a technical field is strongly preferred.

OTHER SPECIALIZED SKILLS

• Knowledge of solar and/or alternative energy markets is preferred.
• Knowledge of National Electric Code(s) and Electrical Safety Code(s) is preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required.
• Proficiency in the English language, both written and verbal, is required. German and/or Spanish language skills are a plus.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, and Excel) is required.
• Attention to detail and a high level of accuracy are required.
• Ability to analyze and solve problems effectively.
• Ability to work from heights, on ladders, or lift equipment. Forklift experience a plus.
• On-call availability required; daily onsite presence is expected.

WE OFFER

• Compensation range: $30.00 – $31.50 per hour, dependent upon experience.
• Comprehensive benefits including health, dental, and vision coverage (including $0 premium options).
• Work Location: This is a full-time, onsite-only position. Candidates must reside within one hour of the site in Needville, TX. Remote work is not available for this role.
• 401(k) plan with company match.
• Opportunities for professional development and training.
• Inclusive, collaborative, and innovative work environment.

Electrical Engineer

Rugged Robotics is on a mission to empower the construction industry to build better by innovating new approaches to tough problems using automation. We are a fast-paced start-up environment where every employee takes on many roles and wears many hats.  To help our customers to build better, we need to build the best team.

The hardware team at Rugged Robotics is responsible for prototyping, designing, and manufacturing robotic solutions that automate construction layout with speed, precision, and reliability. We have robots operating on jobsites across the country today and are now at an inflection point—transitioning from our first-generation system to a next-generation platform built for scale. As an Electrical Engineer working on robots at a start-up, you’ll work at the intersection of hardware and firmware, improving systems running in the field today while developing the architecture for the next generation.

The Role

• Develop and own embedded firmware that powers core robot functionality, with a focus on reliability, performance, and real-world deployment
• Support a full product lifecycle including detailed-design, manufacturing, and deployment phases of the project by conceptualizing, creating, building, debugging, testing, and refining product solutions.
• Architect and design electrical systems for construction robots based on customer needs.
• Create circuits, schematics, and board layouts of new PCB designs for prototypes and product.
• Make informed engineering decisions by creating simulations, running tests, methodically collecting data from measuring equipment, and conducting analyses with a range of techniques.
• Engage and collaborate with vendors around the world to refine designs and deliver hardware to meet project timelines.
• Help shape the electrical and embedded foundation of a product that is transitioning from direct deployment to broad market adoption

You Are

• Experienced with embedded systems, microcontrollers, and firmware development, with an interest in building tightly integrated hardware/software systems
• Experienced with years of designing, developing, and testing complex electrical power & communication systems using Altium, Allegro, or other CAD tools.
• Comfortable taking ideas from concept to reality and are passionate about creating product that exceeds customer's expectations.
• Hands-on with board bring-up & debug and interested in supporting your designs throughout the product lifecycle, from concept to debugging field failures with our customers.
• Comfortable debugging issues that span electrical, firmware, and system-level interactions on real hardware
• Eager to learn new technologies, want to grow as an individual with our organization, and comfortable working autonomously in a fast-paced environment.
• Able to and enjoy traveling on the job to see your product in action and learning from our customers.

Great to Have

• Experience with BLDC motor & drives, varieties of sensors, and motion control.
• Comfortable with project leadership, team growth and mentoring
• Experience with computing solutions, microcontrollers, embedded systems, and writing firmware
• Experience with sensor integration and real-time data pipelines
• Experience with design for test and manufacturing

Perks

• A full time, competitive salary with equity
• Flexible paid vacation from day one
• Paid Parental Leave
• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life insurance
• 401k Plan available

Rugged Robotics is headquartered in Houston, TX in the vibrant neighborhood of East Downtown. This role requires close collaboration with teammates, and we value the interactions that come from working together around the robots in the lab.

Interested in Rugged but don't tick all the boxes? Don't see a role that meets your skills? Reach out, let us know how you think you can contribute to the team, and define your own position.

Rugged Robotics is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we value diversity at our company. All qualified candidates will receive consideration regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, identity, age, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or other protected legal status