Current Job Openings

Control Systems Software Engineer

Makani Power, Inc. is seeking a control systems software engineer to develop the flight controller and simulation environment for a utility scale airborne wind turbine.

Key Responsibilities

  • Develop and maintain airborne wind turbine simulation environment
  • Develop fault-tolerant flight software architecture
  • Implement control system algorithms
  • Write automated diagnostic tools for flight critical sensors and actuators
  • Write unit tests for key flight controller and simulation components
  • Work with close-knit team to develop the software that controls the future of wind power

REQUIRED SKILLS

  • BS or MS in computer science or related field (Ph.D. is a plus)
  • Extensive experience with C/C++
  • Knowledge of control theory and digital signal processing
  • Experience developing high-reliability embedded software

HIGHLY DESIRED

  • Experience with autonomous aerial vehicles or other robotic systems
  • Experience with C programming for real-time, embedded systems
  • Knowledge of MISRA-C, JPL, or equivalent coding standards for high-reliability software
  • Experience with real-time Linux or VxWorks
  • Experience with DO-178B software certification
  • Knowledge of aerodynamics and dynamic simulation
  • Python and Bash scripting

Prototyping Engineer

Makani Power is seeking a prototyping engineer with both an analytical foundation (BS) and significant hands-on prototyping experience. The ideal candidate would have experience building and testing weight-constrained systems on a short turnaround time.

Key Responsibilities

  • Design and fabrication of composite and metal airframe components
  • Support of flight testing operations including offsite travel
  • Mechanically integrate electrical components into test vehicle
  • Perform packaging of electrical components

Required Skills and Experience

  • Proficiency in Siemens NX, Solidworks, Catia, or any other CAD suite (NX preferred)
  • Structural statics and good sense of sufficient strength
  • Able to fabricate a metal part from a technical drawing

Highly Desired

  • CNC mill tool pathing and operation.
  • Soldering and circuit board and other electromechanical assemblies
  • Experience with composite construction and/or design
  • RC aircraft enthusiast or private pilot

Most importantly, the applicant must have a positive attitude, a passion for renewable energy, and willingness to work at a startup pace to help advance an innovative and challenging field. While the majority of this job will occur on site at our Alameda location, the applicant should expect to spend 20% of days at testing locations around the San Francisco Bay Area. Please submit a resume and a brief description of the work that best meets your interests to jobs+mech[at]makanipower.com.

To apply please send a resume and a brief description of the work that best meets your interests to: jobs [at] makanipower.com

 

  • AWT

    A wind based energy generation device with at least one airborne element. The Makani AWT consists of a rigid wing with mounted turbines that flies in circles across the wind at 300 meters (1,000 feet) above ground level.x

    Airborne Wind Turbine

    A wind based energy generation device with at least one airborne element. The Makani AWT consists of a rigid wing with mounted turbines that flies in circles across the wind at 300 meters (1,000 feet) above ground level.x

    Airborne Wind Turbines

    A wind based energy generation device with at least one airborne element. The Makani AWT consists of a rigid wing with mounted turbines that flies in circles across the wind at 300 meters (1,000 feet) above ground level.x

    Autonomous Controller

    An on-board computer that controls the flight path of the wing by changing the position of the control flaps.x

    Avionics

    The electronic backbone of the AWT. Avionics include the sensors, actuators, controllers and communication systems that keep the wing flying on its desired path.x

    Capacity factor

    The average power output divided by the name plate power output of a power plant. Capacity factor demonstrates the frequency with which a power plant is running at its name plate capacity.x

    COE

    Cost of Energy or the total cost to generate energy that is fed into the grid.

    Firming Power

    The outside power generation needed to stabilize the flow of electricity to the grid when an inconsistent resource, like wind or solar, creates less electricity than needed.x

    Ground Station

    The base station for the AWT, includes a winch for retrieval of the wing and storage of the tether.x

    Car vs. AWT

    A typical compact car weighs about 1.2 tons and produces about 30 kW during the 10 seconds it takes to slow from 25 m/s (50 mph) to a stop. Each cubic meter (~1.2 cubic yards) of air weighs only .0012 tons and a good wind day might be traveling at 25 mph (11 m/s), so Wing 7 would have to to interact with 350 cubic meters of air (about 23 dump trucks worth) every second to extract an equal amount of power. In reality it is not as efficient to design an AWT to completely halt the air it interacts with, so we design our AWTs to exert a smaller force on an even larger body of air.x

    Material efficiency

    Material efficiency refers to how much power is output in relation to the raw material needed for construction of the generator.x

    Rated power

    The amount of power a plant delivers when operating at full capacity.x

    Rated capacity

    The amount of power a plant delivers when operating at full capacity.x

    Rotors

    The rotors capture the accelerated wind as it rushes across the wing and convert it into electrical power with small, direct drive generators. The hybrid rotors can act as propellers as well as turbines, allowing the wing to stay aloft if the wind dies.x

    Turbines

    The rotors capture the accelerated wind as it rushes across the wing and convert it into electrical power with small, direct drive generators. The hybrid rotors can act as propellers as well as turbines, allowing the wing to stay aloft if the wind dies.x

    Tether

    The tether is made of high strength fibers surrounding a conductive core. The tether carries the traction force of the wing and transmits the electrical power to the ground station.x

    Tethered

    The tether is made of high strength fibers surrounding a conductive core. The tether carries the traction force of the wing and transmits the electrical power to the ground station.x

    Usable land

    Factors that influence whether land is usable include site geography, ecology, and wind patterns, for example. x