Currently we are looking for:

Hardware and PCB Development Engineer (m/k)

Location:Modlniczka, nearby Kraków

If you are keen to have your own contribution to fast changing world of renewable energy and electrical power conversion systems, the SMA Group is the place to be. The available mid-senior position is located at SMA Magnetics Sp. z o.o. in Modlniczka, Poland. Successful candidate will benefit of working in the interdisciplinary and flexible team of skilled professionals and reporting to the respective Manager within the R&D Department. Due to its nature, work is carried with close contact to the customer and thus flexibility and availability for travel is expected.

As a Hardware and PCB Development Engineer, you will be responsible for designing and optimizing complex solutions used in modern power electronics energy conversion systems and communication devices. Working within international development teams, you will highly contribute to the whole product development cycle, from early concept, through a prototype validation, up to product industrialization level.

Desired Competencies, Qualifications & Experience

Candidates should have proven experience in hardware and PCB design process of power electronics converters or electronic devices. At least Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering with relevant professional background are expected.

Positive attitude, openness to acquiring new skills and willingness to work in an international engineering environment are important. Therefore, good communication in English language both in written and spoken (minimum B2 level) are the way to go.

Knowledge and experience in majority of the following areas are expected:

• Any of the PCB design tooling: Altium Designer (fundamental tooling), Zuken CR8000 PCB Design Software (as advantage), Siemens EDA tools, or comparable professional PCB design platforms.
• Understanding of sensitive signal routing in proximity of high current switching paths – optimizing a design to mitigate undesired effects like e.g. voltage overshoots, ringing, switching losses, ground bouncing, unstable gate driving behaviour, common-mode noise effects etc.
• Isolation coordination (creepage and clearance distances, functional and reinforced insulation).
• Principles for EMC/EMI compliant measures.
• Design for testing and manufacturing concerning environmental protection.
• Manufacturability requirements (layer stack design, via structures and design rules).
• Thermal simulations and measurement result analysis.
• Design and manufacturing standards (e.g. IPC, IEC 62109, IEC 61000 Series).
• Electronic simulation tools like e.g. Ltspice (additional PLECS, PSIM, SIMetrix).
• Ability to make computations via scripting languages Matlab or Python.
• Being familiar with electronic laboratory test equipment.

Key Responsibilities in HW and PCB Design Process

• Create complex analog, digital and mixed-signal PCBs.
• Design multilayer boards for power electronic converters, control and communication systems.
• Transfer electrical and mechanical requirements into optimized production-ready layouts.
• Ensure compliance with internal design guidelines, industry standards, and manufacturing constraints.
• Apply Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Design for Testing (DFT), and Design for Lifetime (DFL) principles.

Technical Collaboration

• Work closely with members of hardware team, simulation specialists, EMC and mechanical engineers as well as manufacturing and assembly representatives.
• Participate in schematic and design reviews (component placement, layout, EMS technology and assembly).
• Cooperate with international project teams across multiple development disciplines.

Prototype Support and Validation

• Conduct commissioning and extended laboratory tests of prepared new hardware versions.
• Verify system performance to meet design requirements.
• Support root-cause analysis and troubleshooting of hardware issues.
• Cooperate with laboratory technicians during comprehensive validation and testing activities.

Process Improvement

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of PCB design methodologies, workflows, and standards.
• Help establish new design guidelines and best practices.
• Support the integration of new design tools and engineering processes.

Marcin Wszolek | SMA Magnetics Sp. z o.o.