Pacific Crest Labs

Current posting as of Feb 2023

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Director of Technology and Operations (Portland, OR)

Please join our team and make a significant contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions abatement.

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What we do:

Globally, televisions use the equivalent energy output of about 150 coal power plants. Pacific Crest Labs is working with leading TV manufacturers and global policymakers to reduce that by more than a third (i.e. > 50 coal power plants). We have developed the TV policy approach used by ENERGY STAR and soon the Department of Energy. We have also developed a computer-automated, camera-based energy efficiency test system to support this new policy approach. Our TV policy approach is on the road to international adoption, and our test kits are used worldwide by leading TV manufacturers and test labs.

 

About the founder:

Gregg has served as a vice president of Ecos Consulting and Ecova’s research and policy and retail utility services teams. He has also gained decades of experience in product development, marketing, operations, and general management in leading organizations including General Electric, the U.S. Air Force, Intel, and Electro Scientific Industries. At Intel, Gregg led mid-range server and performance motherboard businesses that won major awards from PC Magazine, PC World, PC Gamer and the Consumer Electronics Show Awards Committee. Gregg holds an aerospace degree from Princeton University and an MBA from MIT.

 

Who we are looking for:

Right now, we are a two person team supported by technical advisors. Our software developer is heading to grad school this summer, and we need to replace him with someone who has coding and problem solving skills and a willingness to wear multiple hats per the task breakdown shown below. Given the amount of training required, we are looking for someone who is likely to stay with the company for 3-5 years. We encourage diversity. 

We are open to a range of experience levels; however, the successful candidate will be able to cite specific examples of where they have demonstrated the following abilities essential to achieving operational excellence at PCL:

• to solve complex technical problems that require collaboration with external vendors and customers

• to organize, track, and communicate operational data and R&D status

• to make and meet commitments in the presence of uncertainty

• to proactively identify and mitigate risk

• to achieve breakthrough results

A successful candidate might be:

• a mid or late career hi-tech manager or scientific professional with coding skills who is looking for an impact-focused second act in a small business setting, or 

• an early career coder with a desire to learn, contribute, and achieve a high level of responsibility at an early stage of their career. 

We do not expect to find a candidate who has performed exactly these job functions. 

 

What you will do:

Below we provide a rough work breakdown. The percentages shown below are a rough estimate. Test system R&D is the most critical for this hiring process.​

• Test System R&D (50% of your time)

  • Develop and support python and LabVIEW code with guidance from contracted experts

  • Keep documentation up to date

  • Resolve hardware and software technical problems

• Test System Operations (30% of your time)

  • Test kit sales, support, procurement, component inspection, inventory, assembly, invoicing, and accounting

• Lab (20% of your time)

  • Test equipment maintenance and ISO 17025 accreditation status renewal

  • Camera calibration

  • Device research and testing

    • Research features of electronic devices

    • Conduct energy efficiency tests

    • Organize results in spreadsheets

    • Keep a detailed lab notebook

    • Prepare charts and reports that describe the test results and methodology

    • Buy and sell devices to test

 

​You will need:

• BS, BSE, MS, MEng and/or MBA preferred

• The coding experience necessary to quickly learn python and LabVIEW Vision Development Module with the help of support videos, documentation, a couple months of training, and ongoing access to senior software development advisors who are familiar with the code.

• An understanding of electronic devices, components (e.g. processors), features, and how people use these devices.

• An understanding of energy, power, and unit conversion.

• Effective written and oral communications skills.

• The ability to interact with customers.

• Commitment to continuous improvement.

• The ability to achieve results, work independently, tolerate ambiguity, manage uncertainty, learn, solve problems, and keep others informed and aligned.

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​​Work and Compensation:

We split work time between the lab and home as needed. In general, we offer and expect flexibility. Pay is commensurate with experience. 

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​To Apply: 

Submit cover letter and resume/CV by email to ghardy@pacificcrestlabs.com.