Power Electronics Engineer (Hardware Design, Testing) - 981

Position’s Contributions to Work Group:

The Power Electronics Engineer will be a key contributor to the MPCS (Modular Power Conversion System) product development team, supporting the design, validation, and continuous improvement of power electronics hardware used in utility-scale energy storage and power conversion applications.

This position will provide hands-on technical expertise in Gate Driver Board (GDB), Power Board, and power module development, helping accelerate design maturity, prototype validation, and issue resolution throughout the product development cycle. The engineer will work closely with electrical design, controls, validation, manufacturing, and supplier teams to improve product performance, reliability, and manufacturability.

The role is expected to contribute directly to:

· Development and validation of power electronics hardware for next-generation MPCS products.

· Design improvements to gate drive and power board circuitry to enhance system reliability and robustness.

· Execution of laboratory testing, including switching characterization, double-pulse testing (DPT), thermal validation, and fault-condition testing.

· Investigation and root-cause analysis of inverter, gate drive, and power module failures.

· Support of product releases by identifying risks, validating corrective actions, and improving design quality.

· Technical collaboration with suppliers and contract manufacturers to ensure successful prototype and production builds.

· Achievement of project milestones by providing timely technical solutions to complex power electronics challenges.

This position plays a critical role in helping the team deliver safe, reliable, and high-performance power conversion products while supporting schedule commitments and long-term product quality objectives.

Typical task breakdown:

Design and development of Gate Driver Boards (GDB), Power Boards, protection circuits, and supporting electronics - 35%

Laboratory testing and validation including DPT, switching characterization, thermal testing, fault testing, and hardware bring-up - 25%

Root cause investigation and troubleshooting of inverter, gate drive, and power module issues - 15%

Schematic review, PCB layout review, design updates, and documentation release activities - 10%

Cross-functional collaboration with controls, validation, mechanical, manufacturing, suppliers, and contract manufacturers - 10%

Technical reporting, design reviews, and project support activities - 5%

Day-to-Day Activities

· Design and debug gate driver and power board circuits for high-power inverter applications.

Review schematics, simulations, and PCB layouts for performance, reliability,· and manufacturability.

· Perform bench testing using oscilloscopes, current probes, differential probes, thermal cameras, and power analyzers.

· Execute switching characterization and Double Pulse Testing (DPT) on IGBT and SiC power devices.

· Analyze switching waveforms, gate signals, current sharing, voltage overshoot, and protection responses.

· Investigate hardware failures and support root cause analysis activities.

· Develop and execute validation plans, test procedures, and engineering reports.

· Support prototype builds and production issue resolution with suppliers and contract manufacturers.

· Participate in technical reviews and provide recommendations to improve product reliability and performance.

· Collaborate with system, controls, validation, and manufacturing engineers to resolve technical issues and meet project milestones.

Interaction with team:

- Control team

- Validation team

- Cooling team

Team Structure

- Chief Engineer -> Tech Lead -> PE Engineer

Work environment:

- Office and Lab , Occasionally may travel to Tucson Proving Ground or Field for support

- Will need PPE gear

It fluctuates. But office work can be 25%-75% the rest is lab.

Education & Experience Required:

- Years of experience: BS with 5 years work, or MS with 3 years of work

- Degree requirement: BS

- Open to 2 year degree with 10 years of experience

- Do you accept internships as job experience: yes

Top 3 Skills

· Gate Driver Board (GDB) Design and Validation

· Design and debug gate driver circuits for IGBT and SiC power modules.

Gate drive optimization, protection circuits, desaturation protection, active · clamping, and switching performance validation.

· Power Electronics Hardware Design

· Design and troubleshooting of power boards, sensing circuits, protection circuits, and high-power inverter hardware.

· Schematic development, PCB review, component selection, and hardware bring-up.

· Power Electronics Testing & Root Cause Analysis

· Hands-on experience with Double Pulse Testing (DPT), switching characterization, thermal testing, fault testing, and inverter troubleshooting.

· Proficient with oscilloscopes, current probes, thermal cameras, and failure analysis techniques.

Additional Technical Skills

· Experience with IGBT and SiC power module applications, including switching behavior, SOA, thermal performance, and protection design.

· Hands-on experience with Double Pulse Testing (DPT) and switching characterization.

· Knowledge of gate drive circuits, desaturation protection, soft shutdown, active Miller clamp, and false turn-on mitigation.

· Experience designing and debugging.

· Schematic capture and PCB design review experience using Altium Designer or equivalent ECAD tools.

· Familiarity with MATLAB/Simulink, PLECS, LTspice, or similar simulation tools.

· Experience with power electronics laboratory equipment:

o Oscilloscopes

o Differential probes

o High-current probes

o Power analyzers

o Thermal imaging cameras

o Data acquisition systems

· Knowledge of:

o EMI/EMC design practices

o Creepage and clearance requirements

o Electrical safety and insulation coordination

o Thermal management and cooling systems

· Experience with root cause analysis and failure investigation of power electronic systems.

· Understanding of reliability engineering tools such as DFMEA, fault tree analysis, and design validation methodologies.

· Experience supporting prototype builds, manufacturing, and supplier technical reviews.

· Familiarity with utility-scale energy storage systems (BESS), grid-tied inverters, motor drives, UPS, or renewable energy conversion systems.

· Knowledge of industry standards such as UL 1741, IEEE 1547, IEC 61800, IEC 62477, or related power conversion standards.

Preferred (MPCS-Specific)

· Experience with multi-level inverter topologies (NPC/T-Type).

· Experience with medium-voltage power conversion systems.

· Experience with power module failure analysis, IGBT reliability testing, and thermal characterization.

· Familiarity with grid-forming and grid-following inverter applications.

· Experience developing and validating power electronics products from prototype through production release.

Soft Skills

Required:

- Strong Communication Skills – Ability to clearly convey technical concepts to cross-functional teams and stakeholders.

- Problem-Solving & Analytical Thinking – Skilled at diagnosing complex system issues and proposing effective solutions.

- Collaboration & Teamwork – Comfortable working in multidisciplinary teams and coordinating with mechanical, electrical, and software engineers.

- Attention to Detail – Ensures accuracy in design reviews, documentation, and compliance with standards.

- Adaptability – Can manage changing priorities and work effectively in a fast-paced development environment.

Desired:

- Leadership & Mentoring – Experience guiding junior engineers or leading small technical teams.

- Conflict Resolution – Ability to navigate differing viewpoints and drive consensus.

- Project Management Awareness – Understanding timelines, resource allocation, and risk mitigation.

- Customer-Focused Mindset – Ability to translate customer requirements into technical solutions.

Continuous Learning – Proactive in staying updated with emerging technologies - and industry trends.