What are the responsibilities and job description for the Sr. Power Electronics Engineer - High Power AC/DC - PhD Reqd position at HenPen?
Location: Fremont (On-site only)
Employment Type: Full-time
Team: Advanced Development / Platform R&D (High Power)
Role SummaryWe are hiring a Power Electronics Engineer to support advanced development and platform-level R&D for high-power AC/DC power conversion systems spanning single-phase and three-phase solutions from several kW up to MW-class.
This role is based onsite in Fremont and includes frequent interaction with U.S. customers to understand application needs, support technical evaluations, and provide engineering input to R&D priorities. You will also support complex customer escalations requiring design-level troubleshooting beyond standard Field Application Engineering (FAE) processes.
Note: This role is focused on R&D, prototyping, and reference design work. It does not include production ramp, manufacturing support, or sustaining engineering.
Prototype & Advanced Development (No Production Ownership)
- Support development of high-power AC/DC prototypes and reference designs (single-phase and three-phase; kW to MW) through circuit evaluation, lab testing, and iterative improvements
- Execute technical investigations including topology comparisons, efficiency optimization, protection methods, and thermal/EMI mitigation
- Perform hands-on bring-up, characterization, and debugging using lab equipment (oscilloscopes, power analyzers, electronic loads, etc.)
- Analyze test data, document findings, and implement design adjustments to meet performance targets
Customer Engagement & Technical Support (U.S.-based customers)
- Participate in technical discussions to understand customer requirements and constraints
- Communicate trade-offs and recommend engineering solutions clearly
- Support customer evaluations with test data, design insights, and technical follow-up
- Translate customer feedback into actionable engineering tasks
Escalation Support (Beyond FAE)
- Lead structured debug efforts for complex or ambiguous technical issues
- Perform root cause analysis and hypothesis-driven troubleshooting
- Collaborate with global R&D teams to develop containment and resolution strategies
Global Collaboration
- Work with global engineering teams to share results and standardize best practices
- Produce high-quality engineering documentation including test plans, reports, and design recommendations
- Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Power Electronics, Power Conversion, or closely related field (REQUIRED)
- Strong foundation in power electronics with hands-on lab experience
- Experience designing, testing, or debugging high-power converters (AC/DC, DC/DC, inverters, rectifiers)
- Ability to engage in technical discussions with customers
- Self-motivated, collaborative, and able to work across global teams
- Experience in high-power applications (renewables, EV charging, UPS, industrial power systems, PCS)
- Familiarity with IGBT, MOSFET, SiC, or GaN technologies
- Understanding of EMI/EMC mitigation in high-power systems
- Experience with simulation tools (SPICE, MATLAB/Simulink, PLECS)
- DSP/MCU-based digital control experience
- On-site in Fremont with hands-on lab work
- Frequent collaboration with U.S.-based customers
- Occasional travel may be required
- U.S. Citizens and Green Card holders are encouraged to apply
- H-1B visa transfer candidates are supported
- TN visa candidates (Canada/Mexico) are supported
- Candidates currently authorized to work in the U.S. (including OPT/STEM OPT) are encouraged to apply
- New H-1B sponsorship is not available at this time
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and value diversity at our company.