Power Electronics Engineer, DC/DC Converters
$124,400–$160,000 year
On-siteSan Carlos, California, United States
Job Summary
Develop and refine analytical models of power converters to predict performance, losses, and thermal behavior. Participate in system-level trade studies to evaluate converter topologies, voltage levels, and architectures alongside other powertrain subsystems. Perform hands-on bring-up and debug of power converter hardware in the lab, creating clear schematics for power electronics boards. Collaborate with mechanical engineers to optimize placement of high-power modules and bus bars, while writing requirements and executing test and validation plans. Support manufacturing by troubleshooting critical production issues and designing test procedures. This role focuses on designing DC/DC converters from 0.5-200 kW for piloted air taxis, optimizing designs for reliability, weight, and efficiency. Engineers will see projects through from concept design to delivery and support of hardware.
Required Qualifications
- B.S. or M.S. in electrical engineering or related discipline with 2–4 years of relevant experience, or Ph.D. with 1-2 years
- Strong EE fundamentals
- Experience designing and developing power converters in the 10 kW to hundreds of kilowatts range
- Magnetics design experience (inductors, transformers) for power conversion applications
- Schematic capture and PCB design
- Completed (designed/built/tested) high-voltage, high-power designs
- Great communication skills
- Ability to be onsite regularly in San Carlos, CA
Desired Qualifications
- Ph.D. in relevant discipline with a focus in power electronics
- Expertise with optimization of DC/DC converters for high volumetric and gravimetric power density
- Expertise in isolated and bidirectional power converter topologies
- Experience using simulation tools for hardware and magnetics design (e.g. Ansys, PLECS, Simulink, LTSpice)
- Experience in system-level analysis of aircraft or EV powertrains, including co-design of power converters along with system optimization
- Experience designing with wide-bandgap semiconductors (SiC, GaN)
- Familiarity with Altium Designer
- Exposure to AEH design lifecycle and certification (e.g., DO-254, DO-160, aerospace standards)
- Experience with model-based design software development for high power, high frequency DC-DC converters
- Experience developing embedded software a plus
- Experience with HDL development in Verilog and/or VHDL also a plus
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