Full-Time Product Engineer
Job Description
This is a full-time position as a product development engineer working at the Otherlab facility in San Francisco. This person would take the product at its early stage and work with a small team to bring it through the technical development process, helping design the product and guide the technology as it evolves.
This project aims to reduce the cost of residential battery storage by integrating battery storage into household appliances (see coverage https://www.energy.gov/eere/buildings/articles/bto-announces-its-buildings-energy-efficiency-frontiers-innovation). The result will lower soft costs of storage, provide opportunities for bill arbitrage and demand response, and lower installation costs of the appliances themselves. The final product should be safe, intuitive to use, robust, and performant.
Otherlab Overview:
Otherlab is an independent research & development lab pairing creativity with rigor to bring new solutions in renewable energy and decarbonization to market.
Similar to an accelerator or incubator, but with a focus on internally developed ideas, we nurture projects through the initial R&D phase. From here we form internal entities, further develop the technology, and eventually fundraise and spin these ideas out into independently operating companies.
Over the past 12 years, we’ve raised over $100MM in research and design contracts, amassed over $400MM in follow-on capital and spun-out >20 companies.
Today there are about 10 projects ongoing at Otherlab at various stages of technical and business development. This job opportunity would be working on one of these projects to mature the technology and the product itself.
The person hired for this role will have access to a 2500 sq. ft. modern prototyping shop equipped with a waterjet cutter, high-power laser cutter, 3-axis mill, CNC table router, and any of the general shop tools one would need.
Requirements
The ideal candidate for this position:
- Has direct experience designing consumer electronics hardware and has previously helped bring a consumer product to market, from early prototype to shipping.
- Can confidently take ownership over the design of an electromechanical assembly that carefully considers compliance to a written certification, manufacturability, assembly, and overall project cost.
- Has experience with assemblies that include: power electronics, battery packs, and mechanical housings.
- Has experience managing suppliers and contract manufacturers.
As one of the first team members brought on to nurture this idea, this candidate is poised to define how this product will look and function, and how it will impact the market.
Further Requirements:
- BS or higher in engineering or physics with 3+ years of experience in product development
- Skills in electrical engineering, with experience in bringing up and developing early stage prototypes
- Ability to speak physics and engineering fluently, and communicate effectively across disciplines
- Experience with hardware product development, power electronics, and battery systems
- Ability to work at the Otherlab San Francisco office
- Ability to work well in small teams
- US Citizen or permanent resident
Desired
- 5+ years of experience designing and developing hardware products
- Mechanical engineering experience
- History of successfully bringing products through their regulatory certification phase
- Home appliance, and/or consumer electronics experience
- Design for reliability experience
- Experience with product acceptance and validation testing with national labs
Benefits
We offer an inclusive working atmosphere where ideas are respected and developed. Our pet-friendly offices are located in two historic buildings in San Francisco’s vibrant Mission district and are close to public transit, great restaurants, nightlife, and gyms. We have a multitude of exciting ongoing projects – there is never a dull day at Otherlab. Our team leads give monthly presentations at catered company lunches to give us a chance to keep up to date on projects and learn from other teams. You will have access to a 2500 sq. ft. modern prototyping shop equipped with a waterjet cutter, high-power laser cutter, 3-axis mill, CNC table router, and any of the general shop tools you could need. Below is a list of our company perks:
- Competitive health, dental, and vision benefits
- Family-friendly + paid family bonding leave policy
- Flexible and open vacation policy
- Employee contributed 401k
- Access to our 2500 sq. ft. modern prototyping shop
Otherlab is committed to creating a diverse workplace and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
How to Apply
Please apply by using this link: https://apply.workable.com/otherlab/j/781164ECC7/209 total views, 0 today