Electro-Mechanical & Controls Engineer MER Equipment - 3.9 Seattle, WA Job Details Full-time $80,000 - $180,000 a year 11 hours ago Qualifications Control panels Field service engineer experience Ship electrical systems maintenance Marine mechanics Field service Electrical control panels Water transportation equipment maintenance Troubleshooting electrical systems PLC networking Mechanical knowledge Full Job Description Electro-Mechanical & Controls Engineer (Marine Power Systems)
Location:
Seattle, WA (Ballard/Interbay area)
Position Type:
Full-Time, On-Site & Field Commissioning About MER Equipment MER Equipment designs, manufactures, and supports premium marine power generation and custom control systems for the commercial fishing, workboat, and yachting industries. We build and sell both rugged, traditional diesel generator sets and highly customized paralleling power systems and controls. Often these are sold with integrated switchgear and paralleling control We would like to expand our in-house capabilities to design and build vessel switchboards, as well as develop new solutions for the next generation of marine power infrastructure—focusing on variable speed axial flux alternators, advanced power electronics, high-voltage DC vessel architectures, and integrated lithium battery systems. We are looking for an engineer to help us design, build, and deploy these platforms.
The Role:
Design, Build, and Deploy This is not a pure desk job, nor is it a basic field service role. You will bridge the gap between high-level engineering and physical execution. You will spend roughly half your time at a design desk or in our testing lab programming controllers and designing architectures, and the other half in the shop or onboard commissioning advanced equipment and troubleshooting complex systems.
Key Responsibilities System Automation & Programming:
Design, configure, and program PLC architectures (CoDeSys, Siemens, or similar) and advanced generator controllers (ComAp, Deif, DeepSea, Woodward, etc,) for complex paralleling, load-sharing, and seamless shore-power transfer systems.
Next-Gen Power R D:
Develop and integrate power electronics topologies for our variable speed generator line, including high-voltage DC buses, silicon carbide inverters, and Battery Management System (BMS) integrations.
Enclosure & Harness Design:
Collaborate with our drafting team to layout electrical enclosures, specify components, and design custom engine and control harnesses that withstand harsh marine environments.
Prototyping & Internal Assembly:
Work closely with production technicians to guide the build of main switchboards (MSBs) and custom control panels from your schematics.
Field Commissioning & Elite Support:
Partner with senior field personnel to handle complex system commissioning on vessels. Participate in a structured, shared after-hours technical support rotation to provide high-level troubleshooting for custom deployed systems. What We Are Looking For We are seeking a builder with an automation, mechatronics, or industrial integration mindset. You must be someone who treats software, electricity, and iron as a single system.
Core Qualifications Education:
B.S. in Mechatronics Engineering, Electrical/Mechanical Engineering Technology (BSEET/BSMET), Automation Engineering, or a highly related technical field. Equivalent practical experience (such as 3-5 years with an industrial systems integrator) will be heavily considered.
Controls Expertise:
Proven experience programming PLCs and configuring industrial or marine networks. Deep familiarity with communication protocols like CAN bus (J1939), Modbus, or
NMEA 2000
is required.
Power Electronics Exposure:
Hands-on experience working with Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), motor controllers, inverters, or heavy DC battery storage banks.
Mechanical Aptitude:
Comfortable around engines and machinery. You know how to layout a physical control panel for serviceability and can use tools, multimeters, and oscilloscopes without hesitation.
Problem-Solving Grit:
Strong field diagnostics capability. You enjoy the challenge of diagnosing a complex communication or power fault under tight timelines on a commercial vessel. What Will Make You Stand Out (Preferred but Not Required) Experience working with industrial automation integrators, heavy equipment electrification startups, or advanced e-mobility/grid-storage platforms. Familiarity with marine electrical standards (IEEE 45, USCG CFRs) or marine classification society rules (ABS, DNV). What We Offer The opportunity to shape the future of marine hybrid propulsion and high-density power generation from the ground up. A collaborative, technically rigorous environment where you see your designs built in-house and running on the water within months, not years. A structured operational framework designed to protect your time, including a predictable on-call rotation backed by premium after-hours customer billing policies to prevent support burnout. Candidate Note If available, please attach a link to a projects portfolio, or describe a physical project you designed, built, and programmed yourself (can be professional or a personal hobby project).
