Job Title:  Mechanical Engineer

We are looking for a well-rounded new graduate that has demonstrated a high level of achievement and initiative throughout college to join the Sunpower team. Ambition demonstrated by cooperative education, internships or other informal work experience is valued. This position offers the opportunity to experience a wide variety of engineering disciplines throughout the product lifecycle. The engineering staff is lean and agile and can be asked to take on any type of technical task.

CORE DUTIES:

• Component, subassembly and top-level conceptual design, detail design, thermal and stress analysis (Finite Element Analysis)

• Evaluate, understand, and document FEA results.  Provide supporting information and recommend modifications to more senior engineering staff

• Working with Drafting/Design in the creation of models and drawings, using proper application of Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing as required

• Working with Sunpower Machine Shop, Purchasing and/or external vendors to procure components and subassemblies to documented specifications

• Working with Technicians to test and evaluate new hardware and modifications

• Understanding of materials, material characteristics and selection, and mechanics of materials

• Process development of manufacturing methods such as welding and brazing

• Detailed task planning to conduct activities across all project phases from design through process development to build and testing

• Participate in prototype and subsequent developmental testing to assess performance of new products, evaluate against target and troubleshoot activities to address any issues

• Create process documentation as necessary for new manufacturing processes

• Creation and maintenance of Bills of Materials

• Report activities to team members and Engineering Manager

• Participate in technical discussions with existing and potential customers regarding product requirements

ROUTINE FUNCTIONS:

• Attend routine technical and programmatic meetings

• Continuously develop skills through education, observation and mentoring

• Provide input and documentation for communication with customers

EDUCATION:

• Minimum Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering

REQUIRED SKILLS:

• Breadth of knowledge of engineering disciplines, including thermodynamics, heat transfer, stress analysis, dynamics, mechanics of materials and machine design

• Experience with Microsoft Office products (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) a must

• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

• Ability to organize, prioritize, and complete responsibilities in a timely manner 

• Experience with engineering computational software such as Mathcad and/or Matlab preferred

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

• This is an entry level position, however preference will be given to any experience such as cooperative education

• Experience with ANSYS and/or Solidworks preferred

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use fingers or hands to manipulate objects; and talk or hear.  The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles.  The noise level in the work environment is usually minimal.

ABOUT SUNPOWER

Sunpower, based in Athens, OH, is looking for an early career mechanical engineer. Under the direction of more senior engineering staff members, this position will support daily activities in the new product development, product support and application engineering of Sunpower Stirling cryocoolers and engines.  This involves participation from concept to delivered hardware and includes effort in design, procurement, fabrication, testing, and reporting.  

Since our founding in 1974, Sunpower has been the world leader in free-piston Stirling technology. Sunpower has implemented free-piston technology in our commercial line of CryoTel cryocoolers and our aerospace Stirling cryocoolers and Stirling engines. Sunpower’s Engineering services include production of spaceflight cryocoolers and design, development, and fabrication of prototype free-piston Stirling machines. Sunpower’s has strong ties to the local community including a long history of connections and collaboration with Ohio University.  Our founder and the inventor of our technology is a former OHIO professor, and ~25% of our current staff are OHIO graduates. Including graduates from Hocking College and local high schools, more than half of our staff can be traced to the Southeast Ohio community. Learn more about us at www.sunpowerinc.com.