Product Safety Engineer

at  Electrical Safety Authority

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) is entrusted with a clear mandate from the Ontario government to enhance electrical safety for the public. Our unwavering commitment drives everything we do as we strive to anticipate, understand, and prevent electrical-related harms. If you share our passion for ensuring the safety and well-being of consumers, we invite you to join us in our mission.

ABOUT US

The ESA is one of Ontario’s leading employers. If you choose to join our team, you will be entering a safety and development focused environment where we will care about YOU as a member of our team and as an individual. We take care of members of our team with an industry-leading benefits package and a defined-benefit pension plan, not to mention our competitive salaries.

EDUCATION:

• Requires a knowledge of electrical engineering theory to appreciate the factors involved in design, layout, electrical engineering requirements and specifications, to understand the problems dealing with the selection, installation and manufacture of electrical components and assemblies in relation to requirements and interpretations of the product safety standards governed by the Ontario Electrical Safety Code. Requires a knowledge of electrical and electronic theory as well as related mathematics, circuits, physics and such, as these might apply to electrical equipment. Requires a strong knowledge of English language, written and verbal, in order to be able to respond to enquiries, prepare written reports, memoranda in order to effectively communicate with a wide range of internal and external clients.
• This knowledge is considered to be normally acquired through the successful completion of a four year university education in electrical, electromechanical or mechanical engineering.

EXPERIENCE:

• Requires experience with the design of electrical installations to be familiar with the selection and application of electrical equipment for suitability and the design and installation characteristics of numerous types.
• Requires experience to become completely familiar with the preparation, intent, meaning and application of the electrical codes and product standards, the function and operation of Certification Organizations and their associated Testing Laboratories and how they affect ESA product safety activities. Some (3-5 years) experience working in electrical product design and familiarity with the approval process acquired at a manufacturing design or production facility or through a certification organization is a definite asset.
• Requires experience with electrical product approvals work to be knowledgeable of the regulations and standards applicable to electrical product and equipment to provide technical and procedural advice to inspection staff.
• A period of over 6 years and up to and including 8 years is considered necessary to gain this experience.
  Please be advised that in relation to all job postings on this webpage, accommodation for persons with disabilities is available throughout the recruitment process upon request in accordance with requirements under the Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act

• Provide an operational consultation service to General Managers, Technical Advisors, Electrical Inspectors and Senior Inspectors. Assist and advise ESA technical, regulatory and Electrical inspection personnel on the interpretation and application of the product safety regulation, and electrical product standards as they relate to equipment, product approvals and product safety issues. Respond to external and internal enquiries including liaison with all parties who submit a report of an electrical product incident or accident, and provide verbal or written advice on interpreting the product safety regulation and standards as they relate to equipment and product approvals and product safety issues.
• Conduct engineering and technical analysis to resolve field problems or reports of suspected unsafe electrical products and produce memoranda, reports, recall notices, safety alerts and ensure that manufacturers, wholesalers, importers, product distributors, retailers, Certification Bodies and Field Evaluation Agencies are able to resolve product safety issues in accordance with the product safety regulation and guidelines. Attend meetings, maintain awareness of regional inspection needs, provide recommendations and advice on regulation and product standard changes needed and assist supervisor in developing proposals for standards changes. Work with Code and Technical Department staff to propose code changes. Represent ESA on various standards development subcommittees, and Technical committees.
• Respond to external and internal reports of electrical product incident or accident submitted to ESA through its product safety database or via other communications means. Act as liaison with reporting party and/or organization who submit product safety report. Through active listening and questioning, ensure there is a thorough understanding of issues and needs.
• Conduct engineering/technical analysis of problems, conduct risk assessment in accordance with product safety operational procedures and produce documents and reports in consultation with supervisor to resolve field problems or recommend corrective action related to product incident issues. Receive requests from supervisor to examine particular aspects of electrical equipment through engineering and technical analysis of problems. Consult with other advisors, managers, Certification Organizations, Field Evaluation agencies, equipment manufacturers, retailers, distributors, consultants, utility staff, provincial and other organizations as needed. Consult the Electrical Safety Code, other codes and regulations, product standards, safety records and technical literature. Prepare reports, recalls, safety alerts bulletins and other documents for use by field staff and external organizations and the general public.
• Assist and advise ESA Inspection personnel on the interpretation and application of electrical product standards, and safety regulation and the electrical code as it pertains to product safety to achieve greater consistency of interpretation, proper inspection performance and procedures with respect to product safety.
• Attend meetings at regional offices, inspection offices, testing labs and external sites as necessary, to understand problems and recommend workable corrective action solutions.
• Maintain an awareness of product safety needs, inspection issues, emerging trends in product safety concerns, opportunities for new programs and make suggestions for improving processes as appropriate.
• Provide recommendations and advice to product standards revisions and amendments as needed. Assist Code and Technical department staff in preparing proposals to the subcommittees on amendments to the Canadian Electrical Code and prepare proposals for product standards technical committees and subcommittees as they relate to product safety issues.
• Assist supervisor in developing proposals for product standards, preparing guidance on accepting equipment certifications to non-Canadian standards, reviewing reports of electrical fires and reports of suspected product incidents and suspected product defects.
• Respond to external and internal inquiries and provide verbal or written advice on interpreting electrical safety standards as it pertains to product safety requirements and the product safety regulation and guideline and manage the requests to consulting engineers, contractors, manufacturers, distributors and others.
• Provide an operational consultation service to Managers, Advisors, Product Safety Specialists, Electrical Inspectors and Senior Inspectors by responding to their enquiries. Carry out liaison with other regional and inspection offices, other department staff, internal and external contacts as needed to provide the information and advice needed in a timely manner. May also act as liaison with other Authorities having jurisdiction.
• Liaise with the Codes and Technical department for interpretation to the Ontario Electrical Safety Code as it pertains to product safety requirements
• Perform other duties as required.