Principal Engineer - Power Electronics

TXM Recruit; Gateshead; On-site; GBP 56,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

TXM Recruit seeks a Principal Engineer in Gateshead to lead the design and delivery of advanced power electronics systems across rail, EV, renewables and defence sectors. You will manage technical execution, coordinate a multi-disciplinary team and maintain key customer interfaces.

The role requires a strong background in AC/DC, DC/DC converters and experience with SPICE, MATLAB/Simulink or PLECS. You will chair design reviews and oversee testing and compliance prior to delivery.

Qualifications

• Essential: strong background in power electronics design (AC/DC, DC/DC, DC/AC converters).
• Experience with low voltage systems (?1000Vac / 1500Vdc) above 10kW.
• Industry exposure: Rail, EV, Renewables, Defence, or Industrial.
• Experience with simulation tools SPICE, MATLAB/Simulink, PLECS.
• Experience with testing, validation, and system modelling.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and delivery of power electronics projects.
• Own the technical design lifecycle (concept → design → validation → delivery).
• Act as the main technical point of contact for customers.
• Define system architecture, functional specs, and design models.
• Chair design reviews ensuring compliance, safety, cost, and manufacturability.
• Oversee technical work packages, documentation, and engineering standards.
• Ensure product compliance and testing prior to delivery.
• Identify and manage scope changes and technical risks.

Skills

Power electronics design

Control systems

EMC design

Thermal management

Fault finding

Education

BEng in Electronic Engineering (2:1+)

MEng/PhD, Chartered Engineer, IET membership

Tools

SPICE

MATLAB/Simulink

PLECS

Job description

Location Gateshead, England Sector Engineering Salary £62,500.00 per annum

Principal Engineer

Our client is a UK-based engineering business specialising in the design and manufacture of advanced power electronics systems. They operate across a range of high-tech sectors including rail, electric vehicles (EV), renewable energy, defence, and industrial applications.

Lead the design and delivery of power electronics products, managing technical execution, team coordination, and customer interface.

Top Responsibilities

• Lead a multi-disciplinary engineering team delivering power electronics projects on time and within budget
• Own the technical design lifecycle (concept ? design ? validation ? delivery)
• Act as the main technical point of contact for customers
• Define system architecture, functional specs, and design models
• Chair design reviews, ensuring compliance, safety, cost, and manufacturability
• Oversee technical work packages, documentation, and engineering standards
• Ensure product compliance and testing prior to delivery
• Identify and manage scope changes and technical risks

Essential Experience

• Strong background in power electronics design (AC/DC, DC/DC, DC/AC converters)
• Experience with low voltage systems (?1000Vac / 1500Vdc) above 10kW
• Industry exposure: Rail, EV, Renewables, Defence, or Industrial
• Simulation tools: SPICE, MATLAB/Simulink, PLECS
• Experience with testing, validation, and system modelling

Key Technical Skills

• Power electronics, analogue & digital circuit design
• Control systems (high-level understanding required)
• EMC design and mitigation
• Thermal management & component selection (magnetics, capacitors)
• Strong fault finding, testing, and lab experience

Nice to Have

• Embedded systems / microprocessor control
• Product certification (IEC, UL, etc.)
• Medium voltage systems
• Experience supporting technical bids
• Prior team leadership (2–4 engineers)

Qualifications

• Essential: BEng in Electronic Engineering (2:1+)
• Desirable: MEng/PhD, Chartered Engineer, IET membership

Soft Skills

• Strong communication & presentation skills
• Comfortable working with customers and cross-functional teams
• Organised, proactive, and commercially aware