Electrical Engineer - Motor Drives, Controls & Systems

Hunter Fan; Smyrna (TN); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Hunter Fan in Smyrna, TN is seeking an Electrical Engineer to design motor drives, control boards, VFD interfaces, wiring harnesses, and power modules for fan systems. You will define electrical architectures, create schematics and BOMs, lead design reviews with cross-functional teams, and ensure compliance with EMI/EMC and safety standards while mentoring junior engineers.

Strong emphasis on DFx, testing plans, and regulatory compliance across UL, IEC, and DOE standards; collaborate with

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering is required.
• 5–8+ years of electrical design experience.
• Proven track record taking complex electromechanical products from concept to production.

Responsibilities

• Own the design and specification of electrical components and subsystems, including motors, control boards, VFD interfaces, wiring harnesses, power supplies, and communication modules.
• Define and document electrical architectures for fan systems, including power distribution, control, protection, and communication topologies.
• Create schematics, wiring diagrams, PCB documentation, and BOMs; review PCB layouts for best practices in power electronics, EMC, creepage/clearance, and manufacturability.
• Apply sound engineering principles and DFx (DFM, DFT, DFA) to deliver designs that are reliable, safe, and compliant with regulatory standards.
• Lead and participate in formal design reviews with electrical, mechanical, firmware, manufacturing, and compliance teams.
• Lead integration and tuning of VFD-driven systems for HVLS and motor applications.
• Collaborate closely with embedded/firmware engineers on motor-control strategies and hardware interface requirements.
• Analyze and resolve complex issues related to inrush current, overcurrent faults, EMI/EMC interactions, harmonics, and thermal performance.
• Evaluate new drive technologies and components for performance, cost, and long-term reliability.
• Define and execute test plans for electrical performance, reliability, safety, environmental, and system-level behavior.
• Drive DOE airflow testing strategy, electrical efficiency validation, and regulatory compliance.
• Lead EMC/EMI pre-compliance and compliance efforts in collaboration with internal and external labs.
• Ensure designs meet UL, IEC, DOE, FCC, and internal quality standards; interpret data and drive corrective actions.
• Architect and implement robust industrial communication interfaces (Modbus RTU/TCP, BACnet, EtherCAT preferred).
• Specify and guide development of communication modules and translator PCBs.
• Support integration with HMIs, VFDs, and supervisory systems to ensure reliable system-level behavior.
• Serve as electrical engineering lead on assigned projects.
• Plan electrical tasks, provide updates, and assess risks.
• Work with suppliers and manufacturing to qualify components, resolve production issues, and support cost reduction initiatives.
• Mentor junior engineers and technicians.
• Lead root-cause analysis for issues in development, validation, or field environments.
• Define and refine test methods, fixtures, and automation.
• Maintain high standards for data integrity, documentation, and lab safety.
• Seek opportunities to simplify designs, reduce cost, and improve robustness.

Skills

Electrical engineering concepts

Power electronics

Motors & protection

Industrial protocols

EtherCAT

Schematic tools

OrCAD

Lab instrumentation

EMC/EMI design

Leadership & mentoring

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Altium

OrCAD

Job description

Electrical Engineer - Motor Drives, Controls & Systems

Job Category: Engineering

Requisition Number: ELECT003605

• Posted : September 9, 2026
• Full-Time
• On-site

Locations

Showing 1 location

Smyrna, TN 37167, USA

Electrical Design & System Architecture

• Own the design and specification of electrical components and subsystems, including motors, control boards, VFD interfaces, wiring harnesses, power supplies, and communication modules.
• Define and document electrical architectures for fan systems, including power distribution, control, protection, and communication topologies.
• Create and maintain schematics, wiring diagrams, PCB documentation, and BOMs; review PCB layouts for best practices in power electronics, EMC, creepage/clearance, and manufacturability.
• Apply sound engineering principles and DFx (DFM, DFT, DFA) to deliver designs that are reliable, safe, and compliant with regulatory standards.
• Lead and participate in formal design reviews with electrical, mechanical, firmware, manufacturing, and compliance teams.

Motor Drives, VFD-Integration & Control

• Lead integration and tuning of VFD-driven systems for HVLS and motor applications.
• Collaborate closely with embedded/firmware engineers on motor-control strategies and hardware interface requirements.
• Analyze and resolve complex issues related to inrush current, overcurrent faults, EMI/EMC interactions, harmonics, and thermal performance.
• Evaluate new drive technologies and components for performance, cost, and long-term reliability.

Testing, Validation & Compliance Leadership

• Define and execute test plans for electrical performance, reliability, safety, environmental, and system-level behavior.
• Drive DOE airflow testing strategy, electrical efficiency validation, and regulatory compliance.
• Lead EMC/EMI pre-compliance and compliance efforts in collaboration with internal and external labs.
• Ensure designs meet UL, IEC, DOE, FCC, and internal quality standards; interpret data and drive corrective actions.

Networking, Communications & Systems Integration

• Architect and implement robust industrial communication interfaces (Modbus RTU/TCP, BACnet, EtherCAT preferred).
• Specify and guide development of communication modules and translator PCBs.
• Support integration with HMIs, VFDs, and supervisory systems to ensure reliable system-level behavior.

Product Development, Ownership & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Serve as electrical engineering lead on assigned projects.
• Plan electrical tasks, provide updates, and assess risks.
• Work with suppliers and manufacturing to qualify components, resolve production issues, and support cost reduction initiatives.
• Mentor junior engineers and technicians.

Troubleshooting, Lab Work & Continuous Improvement

• Lead root-cause analysis for issues in development, validation, or field environments.
• Define and refine test methods, fixtures, and automation.
• Maintain high standards for data integrity, documentation, and lab safety.
• Seek opportunities to simplify designs, reduce cost, and improve robustness.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Deep understanding of electrical engineering concepts, including AC/DC power conversion, motors, and protection.
• Strong experience with industrial communication protocols (Modbus, BACnet, EtherCAT).
• Proficiency with schematic/PCB tools (Altium, OrCAD).
• Hands-on skills with lab instrumentation (oscilloscopes, analyzers, DAQ).
• Experience with EMC/EMI design and compliance.
• Strong analytical, communication, and leadership skills.
• Self-driven, organized, and capable of owning deliverables.
• Experience mentoring junior engineers is a plus.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering required;
• Typically 5–8+ years of electrical design experience.
• Proven track record taking complex electromechanical products from concept to production.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in lab/manufacturing environments and lift up to 50 lbs.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
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