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Verterra Energy

Electrical Engineer

Verterra Energy, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, 55400

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At Verterra Energy, we're on a mission to harness the power in the world's rivers, canals and oceans. To accomplish this, we are commercializing our first device called VOLTURNUS, a pioneering water‑power technology that deploys in harmony with the current to capture baseline, zero emission electricity.

Backed by top‑tier investors and a multi‑year government contract, we are growing our founding team to help achieve key milestones. Partners and collaborators include: NIRON, DoD, DoE, University of Minnesota, WEG Group, Beckhoff, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and the US Army Corp of Engineers.

Link:

https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/verterraenergy/jobs/4002591009

About the role Verterra Energy is seeking a Lead Electrical Engineer with deep expertise in magnetics, power electronics, and new product design. The ideal candidate is fully conversant with electric motor and generator technologies and has hands‑on experience designing, modeling, and validating complex electro‑mechanical systems.

In this position, the Lead Electrical Engineer will be responsible for the design, modeling, and validation of novel energy conversion assemblies, including generators and power conversion modules. The role will also support the design of devices to be controlled by industrial SCADA systems, with EtherCAT device interface design highly desired.

This position will be a mix of technical leadership and individual contribution and will evolve as the team grows. The successful candidate will be comfortable working across disciplines and serving as the glue between electrical, controls, mechanical engineering, and operations to move concepts through prototyping and into production.

Key responsibilities

Lead the design, modeling, and validation of generators, power conversion modules, and associated energy conversion hardware

Own the electrical architecture of key subsystems, including interfaces to mechanical and controls systems

Develop and maintain schematics and PCB layouts in Altium for power and control electronics

Model and analyze complex electronic circuits using simulation tools (e.g., PSPICE, LTSPICE, QSPICE)

Specify, design, and oversee the build of custom test equipment required for novel power and magnetics applications

Plan and execute benchtop and system‑level tests using lab equipment such as power supplies, function generators, oscilloscopes, electronic loads, and related instruments

Collaborate with firmware and controls engineers to define requirements and support embedded software implementation

Support integration of devices into SCADA environments, with an emphasis on EtherCAT‑based systems and Beckhoff hardware where applicable

Work with external suppliers, fabrication shops, and service providers to source components, resolve technical issues, and qualify new designs

Report progress, risks, and opportunities to the Program Manager and Leadership Team and contribute to technical road‑mapping

Provide technical mentorship, feedback, and collaboration support to other engineering team members

Must have

U.S. citizen or a Green Card

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Engineering Physics, or a closely related field

10+ years of professional experience in electrical engineering

Industry experience with electric motors, generators, and magnetic machinery

Experience modeling complex electronic circuits with tools such as PSPICE, LTSPICE, or QSPICE

Ability to perform schematic capture and PCB layout in Altium

Extensive experience designing and working with custom test equipment for novel applications

Hands‑on experience with benchtop test equipment, including power supplies, function generators, oscilloscopes, and electronic loads

Ability to work independently and as part of a multi‑disciplinary team

Comfort splitting time between electrical and mechanical domains and pursuing solutions that integrate both appropriately

Ability to analyze complex technical problems, interpret design data, and develop creative, practical solutions

Experience designing and fabricating physical assemblies of conceptual devices for testing and validation

Ability to interact effectively with outside suppliers, vendors, and service providers

Nice to have

Intermediate or stronger experience in embedded firmware development, especially using Microchip devices and MPLAB IDE

Experience developing simple to medium complexity scripts in MATLAB, Python, C#, or comparable languages to automate analysis and testing

Familiarity and formal experience with Beckhoff equipment, including programming in TwinCAT IDE

Experience integrating devices into industrial SCADA systems and EtherCAT networks

Background in power electronics for energy conversion or grid‑tied systems

Experience working on Government or DoD programs

Experience in a startup or small‑company environment with demonstrated flexibility to wear multiple hats

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Company‑paid life, disability, and basic protections

401(k) with employer match

4 weeks paid time off + 2 weeks sick and safe leave

7 company‑paid holidays: New Year’s Day (January 1), Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, the Friday after Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day

Equal opportunity

Verterra Energy does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, age, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other reason prohibited by law in provision of employment opportunities and benefits.

Seniority level

Mid‑Senior level

Employment type

Full‑time

Renewable Energy Semiconductor Manufacturing

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