Mechanical Design Engineer — Temp
Description
About the Role
The Enphase Power Systems Innovation team in the office of the CTO is responsible for defining, prototyping, and supporting Enphase’s Solid State Transformer product line. We are seeking a temporary Mechanical Design Engineer (Senior or Staff level) to build and iterate on prototype systems for medium-voltage power conversion platforms, including solid-state transformers (SSTs) and associated enclosure and skid-level packaging.
This is a hands-on prototyping, design and execution role. The contractor will translate engineers’ design concepts into physical prototype assemblies, working under the direction of the mechanical engineering lead. The primary focus is building, assembling, and iterating on prototype hardware—not originating design concepts. This is a contractor position, not a full-time employment offer.
What You Will Do
- Build and assemble prototype systems from engineers’ design concepts—translate sketches, 3D models, and specifications into physical hardware, delivering assembled prototype units ready for test
- Hands-on fabrication, assembly, and rework—work directly on electromechanical prototype assemblies including enclosures, busbars, heatsinks, wiring harnesses, and mounting structures
- Rapid prototype iteration—identify fit and assembly issues during builds, propose practical fixes, and implement changes on the bench to keep development moving
- Execute engineers’ design ideas end-to-end—source parts, coordinate with vendors, fabricate components, and deliver completed assemblies on schedule
- Vendor and shop interface—work with sheet metal vendors, machine shops, and contract manufacturers to procure prototype parts on tight timelines
- Wire harness builds—connector termination, cable routing, strain relief, labeling, and point-to-point verification per harness drawings
- Busbar fabrication—cutting, bending, drilling, insulating, and installing busbar assemblies per engineering drawings
- Test fixture design and build—create fixtures for Hi-Pot, partial discharge, corona, vibration, and ingress protection testing
- CAD support for prototype builds—create and modify 3D models and detailed manufacturing drawings (SolidWorks preferred) as needed to support fabrication
- BOM and parts tracking—generate BOMs, track prototype parts, and coordinate with supply chain for component specifications and vendor drawings
- Documentation—complete as-built records, build logs, test reports, and design file maintenance in the company PDM/PLM system
Who You Are and What You Bring
- A demonstrated track record of excellence in hands-on prototype building and mechanical fabrication
- BS/MS Mechanical Engineering or closely related discipline
- Experience: Senior (5+ years) or Staff (10+ years) of hands-on mechanical design and prototyping in power electronics, power conversion, or analogous high-power electrical products
- Minimum Skills, Knowledge, and Special Attributes
- Prototype builder at heart—you are as comfortable on the shop floor building assemblies as you are behind a screen reviewing drawings; hands-on fabrication is your primary mode of work
- Independent problem solver—ability to work effectively on early-stage product development efforts with ambiguous requirements and tasks
- Electromechanical assembly expertise—significant experience building and integrating electrical support equipment for power electronics, power conversion, or analogous high-power electrical products
- Busbar fabrication proficiency—hands-on experience with conductor sizing, laminated busbar stack-ups, insulation systems, and mechanical mounting methods
- Wire harness build experience—routing, connector and terminal crimping, wire gauge selection, and point-to-point verification
- Mechanical packaging for electronics—experience assembling packaging for electronic boards, including shock and vibration isolation, EMI shielding, and board-level interconnects
- Connector systems knowledge—power and signal connectors, contact ratings, environmental sealing, keying, and mating cycle durability
- Manufacturing-savvy builder—you understand sheet metal fabrication, CNC machining, injection molding, stamping, and die casting well enough to flag issues and work effectively with manufacturing partners
Work Location
Austin, TX
The hourly rate range for this position is $43 to $65 and may vary based on experience, skills, and location. This position final compensation determined in accordance with applicable laws and internal equity.