What are the responsibilities and job description for the Principal Applications Engineer position at Synectics?
Principal Applications Engineer - Power Electronics
Job Type: Full-Time
Work Arrangement: Full-Time (Travel Required)
About the Opportunity
Our client, an innovative semiconductor company, is seeking a Principal Applications Engineer with deep expertise in power MOSFETs and high-performance power converter design. This senior individual contributor will serve as the technical authority supporting strategic customer designs utilizing advanced 150V-650V MOSFET technology in demanding applications exceeding 10 kW.
The ideal candidate will work closely with key customers, develop reference designs, influence next-generation product development, and serve as the voice of the customer by collaborating across engineering, reliability, and product marketing teams.
Key Responsibilities
Serve as the primary technical advisor for strategic customers designing high-performance power electronics solutions.
Develop, document, and support high-efficiency reference designs for applications including:
Electric vehicle (EV/HEV) traction inverters and onboard chargers
Industrial motor drives and servo drives
Phase-Shifted Full-Bridge (PSFB) converters
LLC resonant converters (half-bridge and full-bridge)
Totem-pole Power Factor Correction (PFC) and other high-frequency converter topologies
Perform detailed power loss analysis, thermal modeling, and efficiency optimization using industry-standard simulation tools.
Design and validate advanced gate-drive circuits for fast-switching power devices, including protection and switching optimization techniques.
Conduct customer design reviews, technical training sessions, troubleshooting, and on-site application support.
Develop technical documentation including application notes, white papers, evaluation board guides, and competitive product analyses.
Collaborate with design engineering, reliability, and product management teams to define future semiconductor products based on customer requirements.
Provide technical support and mentoring to field applications engineers and distribution partners worldwide.
Required Qualifications
Master's degree or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering with a specialization in Power Electronics, or a Bachelor's degree with 10 years of directly related experience.
Minimum 8 years of hands-on experience designing switched-mode power supplies, motor drives, or high-power converter systems.
Proven experience designing production-level systems using high-voltage MOSFETs and/or wide-bandgap technologies such as SiC MOSFETs or GaN devices.
Demonstrated expertise with:
Three-phase motor drives and power inverters (10 kW or greater)
Phase-Shifted Full-Bridge (PSFB) converters
LLC resonant converter topologies
Totem-pole bridgeless PFC designs
Strong understanding of:
Silicon and Silicon Carbide (SiC) MOSFET switching characteristics
High-speed PCB layout and low-inductance design techniques
Advanced gate-driver design, including protection features
High-frequency magnetic component design
Proficiency with simulation tools such as PLECS, LTspice, PSIM, SIMPLIS, or SIMetrix.
Experience using advanced laboratory equipment for power electronics testing and validation.
Excellent customer-facing communication and presentation skills.
Willingness to travel approximately 10-25%, including domestic and international travel.
Preferred Qualifications
Previous experience with a leading semiconductor manufacturer specializing in power MOSFET, SiC, or GaN technologies.
Published technical papers, patents, or industry presentations in power electronics.
Familiarity with automotive and industrial qualification standards.
Experience with digital control platforms such as TI C2000, STM32, or Microchip dsPIC.
Compensation & Benefits
Competitive base salary.
Equity participation.
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
401(k) retirement plan.
Paid time off.
Opportunity to work on next-generation semiconductor technologies serving high-growth global markets.
Our client offers a collaborative, technically driven environment where engineers have the opportunity to influence cutting-edge semiconductor products, partner with leading global customers, and help shape the future of advanced power electronics solutions.
Salary : $175,000 - $185,000