Technical Leader - Principal Engineer (Electronics Projects) - Rain Bird Corporation

The Technical Leader oversees the initiation, planning, detailed design implementation, and tracking of technical aspects on multiple New Product Development projects. The work will tend towards leading projects that are heavy on software/firmware. The Technical Leader may also focus on projects with significant involvement from external design companies that are remotely located. Project examples may include controller interfaces and devices with a high dependence on radio protocol firmware for connected ecosystems. The candidate is highly self-motivated, will possess a strong knowledge of electronics and microprocessor technologies and be able to work with marketing and engineering management to help identify the most appropriate technical approaches and technologies, drive early conceptual designs and prototypes, and ensure solutions will fit within company goals and guidelines. He/she has sufficient business acumen to understand the importance of BOM costs and design/development costs.  Day-to-day activities include guiding the technical architecture of new product designs, selecting and driving technical solutions, managing a project design team, ensuring the design team is making solid engineering decisions, project planning, monitoring progress, developing and tracking budgets, controlling expenses, facilitating team meetings, reviewing design work, mentoring other engineers, etc. The Technical Leader will also be expected to seek out external design companies, evaluate their capabilities, and propose project opportunities. They will then manage these external design companies as a part of project execution.

This position is eligible for remote work arrangements. Some travel is required to Design Centers in Tucson and San Diego, manufacturing facilities in Tijuana, and occasional travel to external design companies.

• Serve as the technical lead on projects with complex software and firmware and/or external design contractors
• Support code-related debug efforts, including engaging with developers to find and fix the root cause
• Seek out and build relationships with external design firms to compliment internal capabilities
• Deliver expected results associated with assigned design and development projects
• Be proficient in driving new robust product designs using electronics and embedded firmware
• Skilled at identifying and recommending viable technical approaches to solve new product needs
• Collaborate with employees in multiple Rain Bird Design & Manufacturing facilities in US and Mexico
• Prepare RFQ (Request For Quotation) and work with external vendors on SOW (Statement of Work) documents
• Participate heavily in all phases of product conceptualization, justification, requirements definition, development, implementation, and launch
• Lead multi-discipline project teams to complete projects on-time and on-budget
• Set team priorities, develop work schedules, and regularly assess progress
• Anticipate and solve technical problems by identifying and assessing risks, identifying possible solutions, and driving appropriate mitigation and corrective actions
• Provide progress reports and recommendations to stakeholders
• Develop appropriate documentation per Rain Bird procedures

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• B.S. in Electrical, Electronic or Computer Engineering or other related technical degree
• Experience in developing electronic products for robust applications and high production volumes
• Exceptional knowledge of electronic design and embedded firmware development processes
• Experience with embedded microprocessors, and associated circuitry
• Strong interpersonal, influencing and leadership skills
• Evidence of innovative and creative thinking used to create effective solutions to both engineering and customer problems
• Excellent technical, conceptual, and budgeting skills
• Excellent English communication (verbal and written)
• Five years of team supervisory experience in an engineering related environment
• Track record of achieving results individually and through team leadership
• Prior experience with Design for Manufacturability and Design for Testability
• Knowledge of regulatory certification processes
• High energy and an enthusiastic attitude, desire for continued learning, and a willingness to take on difficult challenges in a variety of disciplines

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience in the irrigation industry
• Knowledge/experience with IoT products

Rain Bird is an Equal Opportunity Employer