Sr Staff System Engineer

Job Description

Applicants for this position must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Renesas is unable to sponsor applicants for work visas for this position now or in the future.

Hybrid - This role may sit in San Jose, CA; Phoenix, AZ; or Chandler, AZ (local candidates to these cities preferred - no relocation)

This role sits within our Low-Voltage GaN Marketing & Systems Group, acting as a Sr Staff System Engineer to define the future of our power semiconductor portfolio. In this strategic role, you will not simply support existing products—you will be the technical authority responsible for driving next-generation IC product definition, silicon architectures, and long-term roadmap strategy.

By leveraging deep expertise in low-voltage (<400V) BLDC and PMSM motor control, you will identify market gaps across high-growth applications (robotics, humanoids, e- mobility, power tools) and translate complex system-level challenges into actionable silicon-level requirements to deliver highly differentiated, system-optimized products.

Key Responsibilities

• Product Definition & Specs: Translate system-level application requirements into detailed IC specifications (e.g., Rds-on targets, gate drive source/sink strength, dead-time control, protection features like OCP/OTP, packaging thermal constraints, and monolithically integrated features).

• Architecture & Strategy: Develop and influence future chip architectures based on system-level understanding of GaN-based power stage and driver IP and and sensing topologies. Drive the multi-year technology roadmap aligned with emerging market trends.

• Silicon & Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate closely with IC Design, R&D, and Marketing teams to ensure silicon implementation matches application realities. Balance system performance, silicon die area, cost targets, and time-to- market.

• Prototype & Reference Design Development: Design, schematic-capture, layout, and validate high-power-density system-level prototypes and evaluation

boards (EVBs) to showcase GaN's superior switching performance under real- world operating conditions.

• System Analysis: Perform rigorous technical trade-off analyses, worst-case circuit simulations, and competitive benchmarking to quantify GaN’s value proposition at the system level.

• Customer & Ecosystem Engagement: Support key tier-1 customer engagements at the architecture level, co-designing and influencing their future system topologies rather than merely troubleshooting legacy designs.

· Control & Modulation Architecting: Design and implement robust Field-Oriented Control (FOC) frameworks.

Required Hardware, Software & Technical Domain Expertise

1. Control Topologies & Architectures

• Deep theoretical and practical knowledge of Field-Oriented Control (FOC) using Clark/Park/Inverse transforms to control current/torque, velocity/position; and Space Vector Modulation (SVM) to translate the vectors calculated by the FOC algorithms into precise PWM control signals.

• Experience with sensors and algorithms used for rotor angle acquisition and calibration.

2. Simulation & Software Tools

• Proficiency with model-based design using Mathworks (Matlab, Simulink, Simscape), Saber, PLECS, or PSIM to simulate motor dive system. Alternatively experience with co-simulation of the mechanical and electrical system using a combination like Simplis for the power inverter and Simulink for the motor mechanics and control.

3. Hardware Requirements

· Experience selecting and designing motor driver systems using integrated gate drivers and discrete power stages (MOSFETs, IGBTs, or Wide-Bandgap SiC/GaN devices)

· Experience designing integrated circuits with focused drivers and related circuitry like slew rate control, current sensing, short circuit protection, high voltage level shifting, bootstrap, and charge pump supplies. Strong knowledge basic infrastructure and communications blocks like current/voltage references, level shifters, SPI, I2C, registers, e-fuse, amplifiers, and comparators.

· Experience designing motor control systems with focus on managing thermal dissipation, optimizing efficiency, and managing EMC.

· Experience designing motor control hardware that can withstand fault conditions like short-circuit, open-circuit, over/under voltage, sudden loss of power, and over temperature.

· Advanced knowledge of PCB layout optimization for high-power switching, including minimizing parasitic inductance, mitigating EMI/EMC, and managing thermal dissipation (via thermal vias, or heatsinks).

4. Lab Equipment

· Experience characterizing motors and optimizing motor control and protection utilizing motor control hardware and software together with standard lab equipment and a motor test stand

Qualifications

• Applicants for this position must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Renesas is unable to sponsor applicants for work visas for this position now or in the future.

• Experience: 5-7 years of experience in power electronics, semiconductor systems, or motor drive design, with a proven track record of successfully defining and launching motor control ICs or discrete power solutions to market.

• Semiconductor Knowledge: Solid understanding of power semiconductor physics, specifically comparing Wide Bandgap (WBG) materials like GaN against silicon MOSFETs, including gate charge (Qg), reverse recovery (Qrr), and parasitic inductances.

• Education: BS in Electrical Engineering, Power Electronics, or a related field required; MS or PhD preferred.

• Soft Skills: Exceptional cross-functional collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to confidently present complex architectural concepts to both internal executive stakeholders and external customer engineering teams.

Additional Information

The expected annual pay range for this position is $160,000 - $235,000. This position is also eligible for bonus opportunities and commission pay.  Please note that the final offer amount will be dependent on geographic location, applicable experience, and skillset of the candidate. 

Renesas offers a full range of elective benefits including medical, health savings account (with applicable medical plan), dental, vision, health and/or dependent care flexible spending accounts, pre-tax commuter benefits, life insurance, AD&D, and pet insurance. In addition to elective benefit options, benefited employees receive company-paid life insurance and AD&D, LTD, short term medical benefits as well as paid sick time, paid holidays, and accrued paid vacation. New employees will attend a detailed benefit orientation to learn more about our many benefits and resources. 

Renesas is an embedded semiconductor solution provider driven by its Purpose, To Make Our Lives Easier. With a global team of over 21,000 engineers and problem solvers in more than 30 countries, we offer the opportunity to work on world‑leading technology for Automotive, Industrial, Infrastructure, and IoT, shaping a safer, healthier, greener, and smarter future.

At Renesas, TAGIE is our culture, grounded in being Transparent, Agile, Global, Innovative, and Entrepreneurial. It shapes how we work, grow and deliver on our purpose together. This collaborative spirit and mindset drive our semiconductor technology to transform industries and impact millions of lives.

We believe in rewarding our employees with a competitive benefits package alongside their salary. More information will be provided during the hiring process.

Are you ready to join our team and shape the future with us?

Renesas Electronics is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, committed to supporting diversity and fostering a work environment free of discrimination on the basis of sex, race, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, military status, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. For more information, please read our Diversity & Inclusion Statement.

Renesas Electronics deals with dual-use technology that is subject to U.S. export controls regulations. Under these regulations it may be necessary for Renesas to obtain U.S. government export license prior to release of technology to certain persons. The decision whether or not to file or pursue an export license application is at the sole discretion of Renesas.