By Brett Bumeter - 17.04.2008

Description:
Working knowledge of mechanical and electrical engineering principles; able to perform analyses using 3D modeling and FEA software. Ability to plan and carry out experiments, including assembly of special purpose test equipment as needed. Proficient at creating and manipulating engineering drawings using most recent versions of AutoCAD, Cosmos, and Solidworks. Ability to read and interpret documents such as product and component specifications, bills of materials, and test reports. Must be able to work and liase with Universities and other 3rd party design institutions. A key part of this will be to ensure that information is properly understood and acted upon. Good oral and written communication skills including Excel, Word and PowerPoint skills. Ability to work and perform according to BP Solar HSE rules and guidlelines. Will be ASA trained.
Responsibilities
Develop new products for BP Solar. To design their electrical and mechanical aspects of the products to work closely with the BP Solar Performance units in all three regions to design-in required product attributes.
To research and develop new materials which in turn offers new concepts. To be innovative in the application of these new materials. Coordinate with Lab and production personnel as needed for processing of samples for tests and trial runs.
Set up test apparatus, including measuring and recording devices. Conduct experiments to obtain required data. Maintain complete and accurate records pertaining to experiments, and present data in a graphical, tabular or written form as required.
Analyze data to check accuracy, ensure validity, and interpret results. Use this data for predictive analysis and also perform failure mode effect analysis (FMEA) to help determine potential break down mechanisms. The results of which will be used to influence design for better than six sigma reliability.
Generate all documentation for new designs including MoC such as EPA and ECO. Follow either TCVP (Technology Common Value Process) or NPA (New Product Authorization) project management protocol to initiate and justify design spend. Must be able to create business cases.

Requirements
B.S degree in engineering with mechanical or electrical emphasis preferred.
Must be experienced in the use of AutoCAD and have a good general knowledge of MS Office package programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). A working knowledge of MS Project is important. Experience with SolidWorks and COSMOS software is highly preferred.
Must be fluent in spoken and written English. Spanish or German as a second language would be valuable.
Health, Safety, and Environment.
This job requires responsibility for your own personal safety, the safety of co-workers, the safe operation of equipment, and proper maintenance of the company’s property. Individual must comply with all applicable HSE rules and regulations. To be successful, an individual must perform all work in a safe manner, report all unsafe conditions through Yellow Card system. The individual must be ASA trained and have HSE targets in their annual performance contract.

Company
The Solar Business Unit is a large, global organization involved in the design, manufacturing, marketing and sales of photovoltaic solar panels and systems. BP Solar is part of the BP Alternative Energy portfolio. The business currently has marketing operations in over twenty countries in North America, Europe and Asia with a strong presence of both business assets and human resources in the USA, Spain and Australia. Additional manufacturing and sales operations are conducted through joint ventures and/or subsidiaries in India, China, France and Hong Kong.
BP plans to invest $8bln in Alternative Energy over the next 10 years. BP Solar expects to more than double the size of its current business over the next 24 months.

Relocation:
Within USA

Location:
Frederick, MD

Compensation:
70-95k w/additional variable pay component

*This would definitely be a great job with a great company looking to grow into new areas of energy production and management.  Consider that unlike some solar power start up companies BP has a very long history and very good funding.  This is not going to be one of those operations that requires you to fund your own laptop computers.

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