Senior/Staff Power Electronics Engineer
Heron Power
- Scotts Valley, United States
- On-site
- Lead/Staff
- Posted
Responsibilities
- Own the full hardware development lifecycle—from requirements definition and modeling through schematic capture, PCB layout, prototyping, testing, validation, and manufacturing support.
- Develop detailed electrical models of converter circuits and topologies to support performance analysis and design optimization.
- Select power components, design protection circuitry, and ensure compliance with relevant safety and grid standards.
- Collaborate closely with systems, mechanical, layout, firmware, reliability, and manufacturing teams to bring designs from concept to production at scale.
Requirements
- Degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent practical experience.
- Minimum 3 years of hands-on experience in the design, prototyping, testing, and industrialization of power converters.
- Deep understanding of power electronics topologies, both theoretical and applied, including isolated and non-isolated architectures.
- Proven experience with high-voltage semiconductor devices such as IGBTs, Si/SiC MOSFETs, and diodes, as well as design of gate drivers and sensing circuits.
- Solid understanding of switching behavior, semiconductor loss mechanisms, and experience with power loss and thermal modeling.
- Working knowledge of product safety, reliability, and environmental standards for industrial applications.
- Basic understanding of control systems and experience working with embedded firmware; familiarity with UL, CE, and grid interconnection standards (such as IEEE 1547, UL347A, etc.) relevant to power converters.
- Work authorization in the United States
Preferred
- Experience designing or testing medium-voltage systems (e.g., 5kV–35kV), including insulation coordination, clearance/creepage, and partial discharge considerations.
- Familiarity with grid-tied hardware such as medium-voltage converters, switchgear, circuit breakers, or protective relays.
- Knowledge of insulation materials, shielding techniques, and arc flash mitigation for high-voltage systems.
- Background in reliability engineering and accelerated life testing (HALT, HASS, FMEA) for power electronics.
- Exposure to manufacturing processes for high-power assemblies (e.g., busbars, potting, conformal coating, HV connectors).
- Hands-on experience with test automation using Python, LabVIEW, or embedded scripting for power hardware validation.
- Participation in standards committees or familiarity with emerging grid codes and interconnect standards is a plus.
- If you are passionate about technology and enjoy working in a fast-paced environment, we would love to hear from you. Join us in accelerating the electrification of everything at Heron Power.
Job Overview
As a Senior Power Electronics Engineer, you will lead the design and development of high-power, grid-connected converter hardware. You will be part of a small, focused engineering team responsible for delivering robust and efficient power conversion systems from concept through production. Your work will span early-stage architecture, detailed circuit and system design, simulation, prototyping, validation, and product industrialization. You will collaborate cross-functionally with teams across firmware, mechanical, reliability, and manufacturing to ensure seamless integration and high performance. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, values ownership, and is passionate about advancing energy technology.
How You Will Contribute
- Architect, design, and deliver grid-tied power converters.
- Drive innovation in power converter architectures to achieve industry-leading performance in efficiency, power density, and reliability.
What You Will Bring
We have a short list of must-have requirements. We prioritize a strong grip on first principles, hands-on skills, and a sense of initiative. Domain-specific knowledge and experience will help determine the career level for each hire.
Must-Have Requirements
- Strong grasp of magnetic component design and selection—inductors, transformers—as well as capacitor types (film, ceramic, electrolytic) for high-voltage/high-frequency operation.
- Proficient in schematic capture, simulation tools (SPICE, PLECS, LTspice, Simulink etc.), and familiar with lab instrumentation such as oscilloscopes, network analyzers, and power analyzers.
- Experience in PCB layout for power electronics, including strategies to reduce parasitics, improve thermal management, and ensure manufacturability and EMC compliance.
Nice-to-Haves
Heron Power provides competitive compensation (salary and equity) and benefits. The salary for this role ranges from $120,000 to $200,000 per year.
