Senior Hardware Certification Design and Compliance Engineer

Senior Certification Engineer

We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Certification Engineer to lead regulatory compliance, product certification, and safety evaluation activities for our PLC-based industrial control products used in hazardous locations (Haz Loc). This role is responsible for ensuring products meet global electrical safety, intrinsic safety, and environmental compliance standards, including CSA C22.2, FM 3600/3610, IECEx/ATEX 60079-7, IACS E10, G3 environmental requirements, CCCEx, CE, RoHS, etc.

The ideal candidate has deep expertise in global conformity assessment, harmonization of standards, test plan development, certification body engagement including audits, and design-for-compliance for industrial automation equipment.

What will you do?

• Regulatory Compliance & Certification
• Lead global certification programs for PLC and industrial control products in Hazardous Locations.
• Interpret and apply standards including: CSA C22.2 for electrical safety in Canada, FM 3600, FM 3610 (Hazardous Location & Intrinsic Safety), IEC 60079-7 (Ex e) and related IECEx/ATEX directives, UL standards applicable to industrial control equipment, CCCEx (China) requirements, CE marking, including EMC, LVD, and ATEX, RoHS and environmental compliance, G3 (ISA-71.04) corrosion-resistant equipment requirements.
• Prepare, review, and manage technical documentation for submission to NRTLs, Notified Bodies, CBs, and regional authorities.
• Develop and execute certification plans, gap assessments, and design reviews.
• Product Development
• Provide design-for-compliance guidance to engineering teams early in the product lifecycle.
• Review schematics, PCB layouts, component selection, and mechanical design for compliance with electrical safety and Haz Loc requirements.
• Define test methods and validation strategies for intrinsic safety, increased safety, and protection against fire protection concepts.
• Drive changes to ensure compliance with evolving standards and regulatory updates.
• Testing & Validation
• Create and manage test plans, including safety, EMC, environmental, and reliability testing.
• Oversee internal and external testing for:
  Temperature rise, Dielectric strength, Creepage & clearance, Thermal aging, Intrinsic safety energy limits, Environmental tests (vibration, corrosion, humidity, G3 chemical exposure).
• Interpret test data and generate compliance reports and engineering justifications.
• Certification Agency Management
• Serve as primary contact for agencies such as CSA, FM Approvals, ATEX, IECEx, IACS E10, and CCCEx labs.
• Coordinate audits, technical meetings, factory inspections, and responses to NCRs / RFAs.
• Maintain valid listings, QAR/QAN documentation, and ongoing compliance requirements.
• Documentation & Quality Systems
• Prepare Hazardous Location test reports, risk assessments, control drawings, installation instructions, and product marking.
• Maintain certification records and revision control throughout the product lifecycle.
• Cross-Functional Leadership
• Work closely with hardware, firmware, mechanical engineering, manufacturing, and quality teams.
• Mentor junior engineers on standards, compliance strategy, and certification processes.
• Provide guidance during supplier selection, component obsolescence reviews, and design changes.

What skills and capabilities will make you successful?

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration
• Ability to manage multiple certification projects simultaneously
• Strong documentation, organizational, and technical writing skills
• Hands-on approach to testing and engineering validation

What qualifications will make you successful for this role?

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or related field.
• 8+ years of experience in product safety, certification engineering, or regulatory compliance.
• Deep understanding of Electrical and Hazardous Location concepts (Ex, Division/Zone systems).
• Hands-on experience with standards including: CSA C22.2, FM 3600/3610, IEC 60079-0/7/11, ATEX EN 60079 series, UL, RoHS, CE, EMC, G3 environmental, IACS E10.
• Strong experience interfacing with certification laboratories and Notified Bodies.
• Proficient in reading electronic schematics, performing safety calculations, and interpreting test data.
• Preferred requirements:
  Master's degree in Engineering or similar field. Experience with PLC or industrial automation products, medical or aerospace FMEDA/Functional Safety background (IEC 61508). Experience with corrosion-resistant design (ISA-71.04 G3/GX). Familiarity with ISO/IEC 17025 and ISO 9001/80079-34 processes. Professional certifications (e.g., Ex Competency / IECEx CoPC).