Senior Root Cause Analysis Engineer

Power the future. Build your career at SMA America.

As the U.S. subsidiary of SMA Solar Technology AG, we have been at the forefront of solar inverter technology since 1981, developing solutions that make photovoltaic power plants simpler, more reliable, safer, and more cost effective. Headquartered in Rocklin, California, SMA America has spent more than two decades helping homes, businesses, and utilities across the country generate clean, reliable power. We are the only inverter manufacturer in the world offering solutions for every system size, from residential rooftops to large scale utility plants, backed by more than 1,500 patents and a presence in over 190 countries.

Innovation is only part of the story. We invest in our people, create room to grow, challenge conventional thinking, and protect a culture where teammates genuinely care about each other and the work. We hire capable people and give them the space to do the job, with clear expectations, open door leadership, and real autonomy.

If you are passionate about driving positive change and want a career where you can take ownership of your work, we would love to meet you. Together, we are not just part of the energy transition, we are helping drive it forward.

Senior Root Cause Analysis Engineer

PURPOSE OF POSITION

The Senior Root Cause Analysis Engineer ensures customer satisfaction and protects SMA's brand quality through evidence based root cause analysis and collaboration with internal and external experts. Working with cross functional and international teams, including SMA's global headquarters in Germany, this role drives sustainable corrective and preventive actions across the product lifecycle of SMA's medium voltage solutions, including transformers, switch gear, and converters.

PRIMARY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensure analyses are evidence based, documented in compliance with standards and global processes, and aligned with the requirements of internal and external stakeholders.
• Perform and participate in technical failure and data analyses.
• Apply the 8D method for systematic root cause identification.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary and international teams to implement sustainable corrective and preventive actions.
• Conduct initial site analyses and on site technical evaluations, and provide technical consultation.
• Create detailed failure descriptions and collaborate with headquarters to advise and support other functions.
• Recognize and document known failure patterns and provide technical expertise to resolve them.
• Collaborate closely with Customer Quality, Supplier Quality, and regional functions.
• Maintain close collaboration with the analysis unit at SMA headquarters and the application engineering team in the U.S.
• Execute, monitor, and evaluate corrective actions implemented by service teams and suppliers.
• Travel approximately 20 to 30% to customer sites for failure investigation and fact gathering, and to the Rocklin, CA office and trade shows as needed.
• Other duties as may be required or assigned.

REQUIRED RELEVANT PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, electrical engineering, or a related field, or equivalent education. Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in research and development, technical failure analysis, and quality management, with a background in customer relations.
• Technical expertise in medium voltage systems, including transformers and switch gear, electrical systems, and converters.
• Expertise in the 8D method for corrective action and quality tools including 5 Why, Ishikawa diagramming, and Pareto analysis.
• Experience in solar, automotive, aerospace, electronics, or a similar regulated industry.
• Ability to present quality findings and corrective actions to senior leadership.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills across cross functional and international teams.
• Ability to travel approximately 20 to 30%, including to customer sites and the Rocklin, CA office.
• Availability for occasional early morning meetings with headquarters in Germany.
• Proficiency in written and verbal English is required. Proficiency in German is a plus.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, is required.
• Experience with hermetically sealed equipment is a plus.
• Working knowledge of SAP, Salesforce, and JIRA is a plus.
• Extent of responsibility:
  Regional.

WE OFFER

• Compensation: $106,000 to $138,000 per year, dependent on experience and qualifications.
• Eligibility for a discretionary annual profit…