Intern, Hardware Test Engineering
Heron Power · Scotts Valley
- On site
- Fulltime
- Scotts Valley
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Subject: Interested in the Intern, Hardware Test Engineering role at Heron Power
Hi Sam — I came across the Intern, Hardware Test Engineering opening and wanted to reach out directly. I've spent the last few years doing exactly this kind of work, and Heron Power stood out because…
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About the role
What to Expect
Heron Power is a startup company building cutting-edge power electronics for the 21st-century grid. We aim to de-bottleneck the growth of electricity generation and consumption with scalable, innovative, and less costly hardware solutions, accelerating the electrification of everything.
Our first goal is to build better converters (inverters & rectifiers) to connect large-scale renewables, storage, and loads to the grid. Heron’s leadership team is made up of seasoned veterans who have designed and shipped gigawatts of power conversion products over the past decade.
We understand that no one individual knows everything. We will all learn a lot together and from each other. We strive to build a collaborative, enriching environment conducive to personal, technical, and career growth. You can expect to work in a dynamic environment, driven by first principles engineering, solving difficult problems—with a strong bias toward hands-on execution and learning by doing.
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.
How You Will Contribute
Test Bench Architecture & Build
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.
Test Execution & Reliability Campaigns
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.
Data, Automation & Closing the Loop
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.
What You Will Bring
We prioritize a strong foundation in first principles, practical skill, an inquisitive mindset, and a proactive attitude. We care as much—or more—about how you work as what you already know.
Must-Have Requirements
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.
Nice-to-Haves
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.