Intern, Hardware Test Engineering

Job Overview

You will build and operate the test infrastructure we use to validate grid-tied converters. This role owns a meaningful slice of the development loop: test bench design and build, test execution, data analysis, failure isolation, and verified fixes. You will uncover real design and process failures by running physical tests and building automated equipment and data workflows. We prioritize a strong foundation in first principles, practical skill, and a bias toward getting things done.

We care as much about how you work as what you already know.

• Design and build electrical reliability test benches for power electronics hardware—inverters, DC/DC converters, bi-directional power stages.

• Specify, procure, and integrate lab equipment: programmable power supplies, electronic loads, DAQ systems, sensors, protection hardware, interlocks, and cabling.

• Own the bench system design: grounding, measurement integrity, EMI-aware instrumentation, protection strategy, safe operating procedures, and maintainability.

• Build Python-based automation for instrument control and data logging; define calibration practices that keep measurements trustworthy over time.

• Translate test goals and suspected failure mechanisms into test plans, stress profiles, instrumentation plans, and pass/fail criteria.

• Execute reliability campaigns—burn-in, power cycling, thermal stress, and abuse tests—and evolve them as we learn where the real failure cliffs are.

• Drive fast debug loops during excursions: isolate, instrument deeper, reproduce, and verify that corrective actions eliminate the failure.

• Build data workflows that make results actionable: structured logs, automated plots and summaries, clear pass/fail reporting.

• Partner with design, controls/firmware, and mechanical/thermal engineering to drive improvements and prevent regressions.

• Create and maintain test stand documentation: schematics, wiring diagrams, BOMs, calibration records, and procedures.

• Pursuing a BS or MS in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field.

• Hands-on experience designing, building, or operating electrical test setups for complex hardware—power electronics strongly preferred.

• Comfort with bench power equipment and measurement methods: scopes, DMMs, power analyzers, electronic loads, DAQ, and sensors.

• Ability to design safe test systems for high-power hardware: interlocks, protection, grounding, and safe operating procedures.

• Strong debugging instincts and ability to drive root-cause closure with engineering partners.

• Programming experience in Python—including instrument control or data automation.

• Experience with accelerated or environmental stress testing (HALT/HASS, thermal/humidity cycling, power cycling).

• Familiarity with failure mechanisms in power electronics and structured root cause/corrective action loops.

• Experience designing repeatable test cells with drawings and instructions to turn scrappy setups into production-quality ones.

If you are passionate about technology and enjoy working in a fast-paced environment, we would love to hear from you. Join us in accelerating the electrification of everything at Heron Power.