Test Lab Manager – Power Electronics Validation

Location: Franksville, Wisconsin
Duration: 12 months, with potential for extension
Experience: 10+ years
Work Arrangement: Onsite

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced Test Lab Manager to lead power electronics validation, verification, and reliability testing activities. The ideal candidate will have strong hands-on experience with power conversion products, including variable frequency drives (VFDs), inverters, DC/DC converters, UPS systems, battery storage, solar inverters, and EV charging equipment.

This role requires technical expertise in design validation, DFMEA, Design Validation Plans (DVPs), reliability testing, and laboratory operations, along with proven leadership in managing technicians and engineering teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage laboratory operations, including test planning, equipment utilization, safety, and resource allocation.

• Oversee power electronics design validation, verification, and reliability testing activities.

• Lead DFMEA sessions and develop comprehensive Design Validation Plans (DVPs) for power conversion products.

• Plan and execute functional, performance, qualification, reliability, and environmental tests, including HALT/HASS or similar methodologies.

• Troubleshoot power electronics circuits and identify component-level and system-level failure modes.

• Perform and oversee testing of VFDs, inverters, DC/DC converters, power supplies, UPS systems, battery storage systems, solar inverters, EV charging equipment, and industrial drives.

• Use laboratory test equipment, including oscilloscopes, power analyzers, programmable AC/DC power supplies, electronic loads, high-voltage probes, isolation amplifiers, and thermal cameras.

• Analyze test data, investigate failures, and prepare detailed technical reports with corrective action recommendations.

• Supervise and mentor laboratory technicians and junior engineers.

• Develop test procedures, validation plans, qualification protocols, and technical documentation.

• Ensure laboratory activities comply with applicable electrical safety requirements and industry standards.

• Collaborate with design, engineering, quality, and product development teams to resolve technical issues and improve product reliability.

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of relevant engineering experience, including at least 5 years in test laboratory management.

• At least 5 years of hands-on experience in power electronics design validation, test engineering, or reliability engineering.

• Proven experience in power electronics validation and verification.

• Strong understanding of power electronics circuits, power conversion, and component- and system-level failure analysis.

• Demonstrated experience leading DFMEA activities and developing DVPs for power electronics products.

• Hands-on experience testing products such as VFDs, inverters, DC/DC converters, UPS systems, battery storage, solar inverters, EV charging equipment, or industrial drives.

• Experience conducting reliability, qualification, and environmental testing, including HALT/HASS or equivalent methodologies.

• Experience managing laboratory personnel, test resources, and laboratory safety.

• Excellent technical writing, troubleshooting, and communication skills.

Technical Skills

• Power Electronics: VFDs, inverters, converters, UPS systems, battery systems, motor controls, and power supplies.

• Test Equipment: Oscilloscopes, Yokogawa/Hioki power analyzers, FLIR thermal cameras, programmable AC/DC sources, electronic loads, high-voltage probes, and isolation amplifiers.

• Validation & Reliability: DFMEA, DVP, verification testing, failure analysis, reliability testing, and qualification t