Senior Sustaining Controls Engineer

About the role

You will diagnose and resolve issues in Mainspring Energy's Linear Generator product line to ensure automatic and reliable fulfillment of customer electricity demand. You will work closely with cross-functional teams to differentiate between mechanical, electrical, and software-related problems during investigations. You will document solutions to increase product reliability and reduce maintenance needs across the fleet. You will apply a multidisciplinary approach to analyze system behavior and validate corrective actions in both development and field environments. You will contribute to a culture of pragmatic optimism by maintaining composure and focusing on solutions under operational pressure. You will uphold excellence without ego by challenging assumptions and seeking data-driven clarity on complex failures. You will practice proactive collaboration by partnering with engineering, operations, and customer teams to implement durable fixes. You will help refine product requirements and testing procedures to prevent recurring issues and improve long-term system robustness.

Key facts

What you'll do

Investigate and validate root causes of field and factory incidents using data from sensors, logs, and customer reports.

Perform detailed system analysis to distinguish software control faults, electrical anomalies, and mechanical defects in generator assemblies.

Develop and execute test procedures that replicate field conditions to confirm issue resolution and prevent regression.

Create and maintain clear documentation of failure modes, diagnostic steps, and remediation actions for internal knowledge bases.

Support field operations by guiding technicians through diagnostic checks and repair procedures for on-site problem resolution.

Collaborate with hardware and software teams to translate field observations into design improvements and control logic updates.

Monitor fleet performance metrics to identify trends, highlight recurring issues, and prioritize sustaining activities.

Assist in the creation of troubleshooting guides, standard work procedures, and training materials for internal and external audiences.

Partner with customer success and project management to communicate status updates and align on resolution timelines.

Implement automated diagnostics and health monitoring features that simplify issue detection and improve response times.

Drive continuous improvement initiatives to streamline sustainment processes and reduce mean time to repair.

Apply statistical methods to analyze incident data, verify fix effectiveness, and support product reliability decisions.

Support compliance and audit activities by providing clear technical records and justifications for design or process changes.

Lead cross-functional reviews of complex failures and present findings and recommended actions to engineering leadership.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a closely related technical field.

You must have demonstrated experience in troubleshooting complex electromechanical systems or industrial equipment.

You must possess strong written and verbal communication skills to convey technical information to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

You must be comfortable working with software tools, data logs, and configuration systems that support generator control and monitoring.

You must have a methodical approach to problem solving, including the ability to form hypotheses, design tests, and interpret results.

You must be able to read and interpret technical documentation, schematics, and software or firmware logs during investigations.

You must have experience collaborating with cross-functional teams in a fast-paced, matrixed engineering environment.

You must be eligible to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship for this position at this time.

Nice to have

Experience with power electronics, embedded control systems, or energy storage technologies.

Familiarity with industrial communication protocols, data historians, and remote monitoring platforms.

Background in safety-critical systems or compliance-driven environments.

Experience using version control, issue tracking tools, and automated testing frameworks.

Practical notes

This role is based in Menlo Park, California, and requires availability during standard business hours for onsite work.

Travel is not currently required for this position, and candidates must be eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship at this time.