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.
Job Overview
As a Thermal Systems Test & Validation Engineer , you will architect, design, build and operate the test infrastructure that lets us validate thermal systems for grid-tied converters that will become part of the electrical infrastructure ahead.
If you thrive on building capability from scratch, love lab work, and want your work to directly set the pace of iteration, this role will feel like home.
How You Will Contribute
Thermal & Fluids Testing (Component → System)
Execute thermal and fluids testing from component-level characterization (e.g., valves, pumps, fans, heat exchangers, insulation materials) through full thermal-system validation.
Develop test plans and Design-of-Experiments (DoE) in partnership with thermal analysis and mechanical design teams-turning hypotheses into crisp pass/fail criteria and learning goals.
Define instrumentation plans to ensure we're measuring what matters (temperatures, pressures, flows, ΔP, thermal resistances, transients).
Test Stand Architecture & Build
Design fixtures and rigs; procure and integrate test equipment including thermocouples/RTDs, pressure sensors, flowmeters, anemometers, DAQs.
Size and integrate plumbing for support equipment (chillers, pumps, fans, reservoirs, filters, fittings, hoses, quick disconnects) to enable safe, repeatable testing.
Own end-to-end bench build quality: layout, plumbing, grounding/EMI considerations near power electronics, safety interlocks, and maintainability.
Automation, Data, and Reporting
Automate test execution, data logging, and post-processing to enable repeatable test campaigns and fast iteration loops.
Build data analysis workflows that produce actionable outputs (not just raw logs): clear plots, summaries, and "what changed / why it matters" reporting.
Root Cause, Failure Analysis, and Feedback Loops
Drive root cause and failure analysis when tests go sideways: reproduce, instrument deeper, isolate failure mechanisms, and validate corrective actions.
Close the loop with design engineering-ensuring fixes are verified and regression-proof.
Requirements
We prioritize a strong foundation in first principles, practical skills, an inquisitive mindset, and a proactive attitude. We care as much (or more) about how you work as what you already know. We will calibrate seniority based on demonstrated results, depth and ownership, not keywords.
Must-Have Requirements
A degree in Mechanical Engineering or related fields, with background in thermodynamics or fluids engineering
>2 years of industry or research experience in a lab environment with proven hands-on experience in testing and developing test fixtures
Sound knowledge and fundamental understanding of flow physics, hydraulics, thermal / heat transfer
Experience with scripting in Python / Matlab and comfortable using source control like Github / Bitbucket
Experience using different types of DAQs and equipment from thermocouples, flow sensors, pressure sensors, anemometers etc.
Strong communication skills in terms of presentations and writing detailed technical reports
Heron-power · Scotts Valley