Chief Electrical Engineer

Join the team at Crown Electrokinetic and be at the forefront of revolutionizing the future of energy-efficient building technology! We seek talented engineers passionate about innovation and sustainability to help us launch our cutting-edge DynamicTint™ and Smart Window Inserts. DynamicTint™, a breakthrough technology, allows windows to dynamically adjust tinting, reducing energy waste and improving building comfort. As part of our development team, you will play a crucial role in advancing this pioneering technology, creating sustainable solutions that reduce carbon emissions and make a tangible impact on the environment.

If you’re ready to challenge the status quo and work on transformative projects…

If you want to be a part of our mission to make a meaningful impact on both people and the planet…

…we want to hear from you! 

About Crown

Crown is an innovative solutions provider focused on developing and delivering best-in-class products and services across three core businesses: Electrokinetic Film, Fiber Optics, and Water Improvement. These businesses are unified by Crown’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and positive societal impact.

Our Electrokinetic Film Division is transforming the future of buildings with our proprietary DynamicTint™ and Smart Window Inserts. Crown’s electrokinetic film technology empowers buildings to reduce energy waste by improving window efficiency, offering cost savings and environmental benefits.

Our Culture

At Crown, we foster a culture emphasizing freedom, responsibility, and high performance. We believe in empowering our team members by minimizing bureaucracy and giving them the autonomy to take initiative and drive results. In our fast-paced and collaborative environment, we expect individuals to act with leadership, think critically, be creative, and focus on results so that we consistently deliver top-tier performance. While we offer flexibility, we also maintain a high standard for accountability—team members are measured not by the hours they put in but by the quality and impact of their work. We embrace open communication, respect, honesty, and a shared commitment to excellence, encouraging a culture where everyone is expected to contribute ideas and challenge assumptions. We strive to build amazing teams by assembling individuals with the right expertise and diverse perspectives and experiences. If you thrive on collaboration, innovation, and the drive to achieve extraordinary outcomes, you’ll fit right in with our high-performance team.

Position Overview:

As part of the engineering team based in Michigan, near Ann Arbor, you will be key in accelerating product development, preparing our technology for large-scale manufacturing, and launching Crown Electrokinetic’s first full-scale production facility. This is a rare opportunity for someone who wants to be involved from the ground up in creating and commercializing cutting-edge technology. You will join a team responsible for bringing a groundbreaking product to market and establishing the systems that will shape our manufacturing process. 

During the initial phase of this role, you will spend 4-6 months at our roll-to-roll pilot manufacturing facility in Corvallis, Oregon. This will be a hands-on opportunity to shape the technology, support improvements in pilot operations, and accelerate the process of taking the product from development to manufacturing. Your time in Oregon will give you critical insights into the technology and its production requirements, allowing you to bring that knowledge back to Michigan, where you will help design and implement the systems that will drive the future success of Crown’s manufacturing operations. This transition period is crucial to ensuring the technology is ready for commercial testing, positioning it for broad market adoption.

Key Responsibilities:

• Define and oversee the electrical requirements, equipment, and controls for the manufacturing site, ensuring seamless integration between team members, equipment suppliers, and power distribution and control systems.
• Lead and mentor cross-functional teams and external partners in the development and production of control electronics, power supply systems, and user interface technologies.
• Conduct comprehensive electrical characterization of products, develop and validate specifications, and implement continuous value engineering and product improvements.
• Collaborate closely with project stakeholders to ensure the successful execution of initiatives, from concept through to implementation, maintaining a high standard of diligence and innovation.

The Chief Electrical Engineer will excel by:

• Leveraging their natural curiosity and engineering expertise to rapidly learn new concepts, innovate, and achieve meaningful results.
• Building and cultivating the necessary internal capabilities to drive long-term success for the organization.
• Identifying and integrating external expertise where beneficial to enhance project outcomes.
• Taking a hands-on approach when needed, ensuring effective operational execution.
• Diligently overseeing and contributing to critical project initiatives, ensuring timely and successful completion.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Electronic, or Systems Engineering (or related field).
• Deep knowledge of industrial power systems, controls, PLCs, device networks, and related equipment.
• Proficiency in interpreting electrical and electronic schematics, and designing PCBs and microprocessor systems.
• Foundational knowledge of firmware and software, with the ability to provide guidance in these areas.
• Strong collaborative and team-building skills, with the ability to lead effectively in a multidisciplinary environment.
• Proven track record of problem-solving and critical thinking in high-pressure situations involving risk, uncertainty, and ambiguity.
• US citizenship or permanent authorization to work in the United States.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in industrial R&D and manufacturing settings.
• Familiarity with statistical process control (SPC) and root cause analysis techniques.
• Proven experience in managing vendor relationships and ensuring high-quality deliverables.
• Successful track record of launching complex products from concept to market.
• Ability to align technical decisions with broader economic considerations and long-term business objectives.
• Experience with roll-to-roll R&D or manufacturing processes.
• Knowledge of scaling up manufacturing equipment and processes for mass production.