RESEARCH ENGINEER - SR. RESEARCH ENGINEER - Power Electronics Engineer

About the Role

The Rotating Machinery Section within the Mechanical Engineering Division develops novel turbomachinery, components, and test rigs to support a wide variety of clients.

Objectives

• Design, specify, and integrate power electronic systems (including VFDs, drives, and related controls) to support advanced test rigs and turbomachinery applications, ensuring safe and reliable operation of motors and auxiliary equipment.
• Collaborate with mechanical and rotordynamics engineers to tightly couple electrical drive systems with rotating machinery, enabling precise speed/torque control, advanced diagnostics, and safe operation through critical and off-design conditions.
• Analyze and mitigate electrical and electromagnetic interaction issues (harmonics, power quality, motor heating, EMI/EMC) to protect equipment, improve system efficiency, and ensure robust operation over a wide operating envelope.
• Develop laboratory and test facility electrical architectures (power distribution, protection, grounding, and controls) that meet applicable codes and standards while enabling flexible, high-performance experimental configurations.
• Document designs, test results, and system performance in formal reports and presentations, clearly communicating technical findings and recommendations to clients, project teams, and industry partners.

Responsibilities

• Design, specify, and model power electronic systems (VFDs, drives, motor controls, and protection schemes) for laboratory and test facility applications.
• Develop one-line diagrams, wiring schematics, and panel layouts, and generate detailed documentation and bills of material for procurement and fabrication.
• Perform electrical analyses (load flow, short-circuit, coordination, harmonics, grounding, and power quality) to validate designs and ensure safe, reliable operation.
• Support installation, commissioning, troubleshooting, and upgrades of motors, drives, and lab electrical systems in collaboration with mechanical, controls, and test engineers.
• Prepare brief technical updates and periodic reports for internal teams and clients.
• Contribute to publications and presentations to grow SwRI’s capabilities in power electronics and electrical systems.

Requirements

• Requires a Bachelors, Masters or a PhD in Mechanical Engineering or Electrical Engineering. PhD with graduate experience in electronics design and analysis is highly desired.
• Those with a Masters degree require 1 year of related professional experience; those with a PhD do not require any industry experience.
• 2+ years of experience in power electronics design and analysis, with an interest or academic experience in design and development of radial and axial turbomachinery.
• Strong communication skills, ability to work successfully in a team setting, and creative problem-solving as a team.
• A valid/clear driver's license is required.

Special Requirements

Must be a U.S. person (i.e., U.S. citizen, non-U.S. citizen national, lawful permanent resident, asylee, or refugee) due to ITAR work in section.

Location

San Antonio, Texas