Power Electronics Lead, Battery System

About the role

As Power Electronics Lead, you will own the complete power conversion architecture - from AC mains or 48V DC bus input through regulated output rails, including the bidirectional charge/discharge path for the integrated solid-state battery pack. You are the chief engineer for the power stage and the technical decision-maker whose topology choices cascade to every other discipline on the team. Why this role matters: Your architecture decisions define the entire product. Whether the battery sits in-line or on a sidecar bus, whether you go GaN at 48V or Si at 12V, whether the hold-up transfer is sub-millisecond or requires a brief interruption - every downstream engineer builds on top of your choices. This is a rare opportunity to design a power platform from a blank sheet with a technology (solid-state batteries) that fundamentally changes what's possible at rack level.

Responsibilities

• Architect the end-to-end power conversion topology (AC-DC front end, intermediate bus, DC-DC output stage, bidirectional battery converter path)
• Lead topology trade-off analysis: LLC resonant, phase-shifted full bridge, hybrid approaches, in-line vs. parallel sidecar battery integration
• Design magnetics (planar transformers, coupled inductors) and select power semiconductors (GaN/SiC FETs, diodes) with thermal derating analysis
• Define and drive efficiency targets (97%+ titanium-class at rack load) and power density goals within a 1U or 20U shelf envelope
• Collaborate closely with the firmware/embedded engineer on digital control loop implementation (voltage/current mode compensation, loop bandwidth, phase margin)
• Work with the battery systems engineer to define the charge/discharge power path, voltage window, and current limits for solid-state cells
• Design protection circuits (OCP, OVP, OTP, short-circuit) and define fault response behavior
• Bring up and validate prototype power stages on the bench, iterating through bringup, thermal characterization, and efficiency optimization
• Interface with the PCB layout contractor to ensure EMI-conscious layout, proper creepage/clearance, and power plane integrity

Requirements

Required:

• 10+ years designing multi-kW AC-DC or DC-DC power converters that shipped in volume
• Relevant Bachelor’s degree plus a minimum of 12+ years of experience or a relevant Master’s degree and 10+ years of experience or a relevant Ph.D. and a minimum of 8+ years
• Deep expertise in at least two converter topologies (LLC, PSFB, DAB, CLLC, or equivalent)
• Hands-on magnetics design experience (core selection, winding strategy, loss modeling)
• Experience with digital power control (working with DSP/MCU-based compensators, not just analog)
• Track record in server PSU, telecom rectifier, EV onboard charger, or comparable high-density power product
• Proficiency with simulation tools (PLECS, LTspice, Simplis, PSIM, or equivalent)
• Comfortable leading technical direction and mentoring a small cross-functional team

Nice to have:

• GaN or SiC wide-bandgap device design experience
• Familiarity with 48V or high-voltage DC bus architectures
• Experience with bidirectional power converters (critical for integrated battery path)
• Knowledge of OCP Open Rack/ORv3 power delivery specs
• Prior exposure to battery charging systems (CC-CV profiles, temperature-dependent rate limits)
• Experience with hardware-in-the-loop testing (Typhoon HIL, PLECS RT Box)

Schedule

ONSITE: This position is required to work onsite 5 days per week to meet the minimum essential duties and requirements of this position. As an on-site R&D and manufacturing operations organization, in-person face to face interaction is essential to building authentic relationships, trust, teamwork, and collaboration.