Senior Direct Current Engineer

About the role

A senior individual-contributor engineering role that designs, builds, and validates direct current power-distribution hardware for AI and high-density data centers, reporting to the Director – High Power Solutions — R&D. Owns detailed design and lab validation of DC power blocks, DC switchgear and protection, bus distribution, and the rack power-shelf interface — turning architecture direction into tested, manufacturable hardware.

Key R&D Responsibilities

• Execute detailed design of 800 VDC (±400 VDC) central power blocks and DC distribution, scalable toward 1500 VDC.
• Design and simulate AC/DC and DC/DC conversion stages using silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) devices for high density and efficiency.
• Develop DC switchgear, solid-state and hybrid breakers, fusing, and selective-coordination schemes.
• Perform DC fault-current, short-circuit, arc-flash, and insulation-coordination analysis.
• Engineer downstream distribution — DC busway, PDU, RPP/RDP panelboards, and HVDC connectors to the rack DC-DC power shelf.
• Build, instrument, and test prototypes in the R&D lab — thermal, load, transient, and life-cycle testing.
• Integrate metering, controls, and telemetry with DCIM/SCADA; support ESS/BBU ride-through integration.
• Produce schematics, BOMs, test plans, and documentation; support UL/CSA/ETL certification, DVT, and manufacturing hand-off.
• Design to OCP, NEMA, IEEE, IEC 62443, UL 1778/2367 and NEC requirements; contribute to development partnerships (ORNL, etc.).

Requirements

• Bachelor's in electrical engineering, power-electronics emphasis (MS preferred).
• 8+ years designing DC or power-electronics systems for critical infrastructure.
• Depth in LVDC/HVDC distribution, converter topologies, and DC protection and coordination.
• Hands-on silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) converter design, magnetics, and thermal management.
• Simulation fluency — PLECS, Simulink/MATLAB, SPICE, and CFD thermal modeling or equal.
• Lab-forward: prototype build-up, power-analyzer and scope work, and test-plan authorship.

Preferred

• Data center power experience (PDU, STS, RPP, busway) at 30 kW–1 MW racks.
• UL/CSA/ETL certification testing and IEC 62443 security familiarity.
• ESS/BBU integration, DCIM/SCADA telemetry, and firmware/controls collaboration.
• Solid-state power converters and systems — solid-state transformers, solid-state and hybrid DC breakers, and rectifier/inverter power blocks, including their controls, switching and gate-drive design.

Why Join Us?

Our Benefits Make a Difference. We believe great employees deserve great benefits designed to support health, financial well-being, professional growth, and family needs. Most of our core benefits are provided at no cost, reflecting our commitment to investing in the well-being of our team.

Why You Will Love Working With Us

• Impact: Develop your skills and expertise in a rapidly growing industry, with your work directly influencing the success of mission-critical projects.
• Innovation: Immerse yourself in an environment that celebrates forward-thinking and continuous improvement.
• Collaborative spirit: Work closely with engineers, marketers, and other professionals to bring ideas to life.
• Grow with us: We are committed to your personal and professional development, offering endless opportunities to improve your skills and advance your career.

At LayerZero, we are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome and celebrate diversity, and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.