Senior Electronics Engineer Jobs in Houston, TX

INTRODUCTION

Quaise Energy is unlocking Earth's deep heat to deliver clean, reliable, baseload energy at scale – almost anywhere in the world. As both a technology innovator and project developer, Quaise builds and operates solutions that harness superhot geothermal energy far below the surface, enabling power generation that can rival the output of today's most efficient fossil fuel and nuclear plants. Leveraging millimeter wave drilling, developed after more than a decade of research at MIT, Quaise's mission is to make superhot geothermal a backbone of the modern energy system, offering affordable, zero-carbon power and true energy independence for communities and nations everywhere. Quaise is seeking a self-driven, energetic, and experienced Electrical or Electronics Engineer to join our team in pursuing the world's most abundant source of clean energy by developing cutting-edge high temperature electronics for downhole logging and measurement telemetry tools. The ideal candidate will have the ability to identify requirements from a simple set of end objectives, lead and participate in electrical design and integration efforts, and contribute to technology development for geothermal applications, which involves researching, designing downhole circuits, collaborating, learning, sourcing, integrating, implementing, performing design-of-experiments, analyzing results, and building on lessons learned.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

(Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.)

• Design, simulation, development, implementation, verification and validation of analog, digital, and power electronics-based systems & components used in downhole applications where the systems must withstand harsh environments and exhibit high reliability.
• Apply traditional downhole tool practices for innovative MMW (millimeter wave) drilled well and SHR (Super-Hot Rock) geothermal products. This monitoring may be done while drilling with MMW or after drilling, in the thermal well's media for support of geothermal plant operations.
• Work with a multidisciplinary team of mechanical engineers, RF scientists, and drilling operators to deliver effective tools for drilling activities.
• Coordinate fabrication, installation and testing activities to ensure products and systems conform to engineering design and specification.
• Provide technical support to field operators, scientists, and engineering as it relates to electrical systems.
• Conduct lab experiments, design test plans and procedures, execute tests, and write detailed reports.
• Lead high temperature electronics tests and experiments, contributing to the development of downhole tool technology.
• Design and develop custom electronic circuits, including analog, digital, mixed signal systems and downhole power generation, with a focus on signal conditioning, filtering, control logic, digital signal processing, and power supplies.
• Utilize software tools to design circuits, create schematics, design PCB layouts, and run simulations.
• Fabricate and test working prototypes by wiring, soldering, and assembling electrical components, and develop packaging for finished designs.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

ADDITIONAL RELATED FIELDS

- Experience working within high voltage safety environments
- Experience with design of high voltage assemblies (air, solid, and oil dielectrics)
- HV modulation protection circuits, high voltage/power sensors and interfaces, high isolation designs, opto-sensors, optical communication devices.
- Analog circuit design (power supplies, amplifiers, signal conditioning, filters, transistor and op-amp circuits).
- Digital circuit design (logic circuits, communications protocols such as CAN, UART, I2C, LVDS etc.)
- Control system design (Simulink, PLC, etc.)
- Proficient in CAD and modelling software (HFSS, MATLAB, ORCAD, PSPICE, etc.)
- Microcontrollers, DSPs, and FPGAs. Development, programming, and deployment of embedded systems.

COMPETENCIES

- Expertise with downhole electronics, challenges, and troubleshooting
- Experience with downhole tool design, specifically high temperature.
- Familiarity with SOI, SIC, and other high temperature electronics manufacturing.
- High temperature electronic testing practices at 350C and beyond.
- Experience in specifying, assembling, and testing electronics for surface and downhole equipment.
- Experience in developing electronics for harsh environments such as high temperature, high shock/vibration, etc.
- Experience with development, programming, and deployment of embedded systems (MCU, DSP, FPGA, etc.)
- Proficiency with electronic schematic capture and PCB layout software, preferably Altium Designer.
- Proficiency in designing experiments, obtaining results, and writing detailed reports.
- Experience with programming languages (Python, MATLAB, LabView, VHDL, C).
- Experience with operating data acquisition system in a lab environment
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to identify issues and develop practical solutions.
- Commitment to delivering quality results with a meticulous and conscientious approach to their responsibilities. This includes accountability for the outcomes of their tasks and showing dedication to continuous improvement and excellence in their role.
- Ability to interact well with customers and co-workers, in the field and the office.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
- Ability to troubleshoot and recover from issues effectively.
- Proficient in data acquisition and data logging techniques.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

May supervise the work of junior engineers, technicians or contractors to ensure work is completed in accordance with project requirements.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

- Master's degree in Electrical/Electronics Engineering is preferred.
- Bachelor's degree will be considered with suitable experience.
- Minimum 8 years' experience in a position of engineering and with direct input or technical leadership in electronic design or architecture.
- Strong knowledge of electrical design principles and circuit analysis.

Physical Requirements

- The employee is regularly required to stand, sit, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, as well as use hands to feel, reach, grasp, handle, or operate objects, tools and/or controls.
- The employee must be able to lift, push, pull, transfer, or move items up 40 pounds at times for departmental needs.
- Ability to move from one worksite to another or travel to various job sites and locations to complete tasks.
- The vision requirement includes reviewing written and electronic materials in digital and physical format.
- The employee must be able to adjust to changing work hours and locations as needed considering the strong focus on external communications and relationships.

OTHER DUTIES

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Management reserves the right to change, rescind, add, or delete the duties and responsibilities of positions within this job classification at any time.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EEO STATEMENT

Quaise Energy is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, genetic information, disability, military status or age.