Hardware Power Electronics Engineer

Pentangle Tech Services | P5 Group; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

unico is seeking a Hardware Power Electronics Engineer in Milwaukee to design leading-edge power electronics for solar, energy storage, EV charging, and test systems.

You will lead projects from concept through productization, focusing on high-frequency converters, advanced digital control, and manufacturability while ensuring customer satisfaction.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering is required.
• Master's degree in power electronics is a strong plus.
• Experience in power converter development is essential.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop power electronics for solar, energy storage, EV charging, and test systems.
• Lead full product development lifecycle from concept to production.
• Develop high-frequency DC-DC and AC-DC converters using SiC/GaN devices.

Skills

Power electronics design

DC-DC conversion

AC-DC conversion

High-frequency design

EMI/EMC

Thermal management

MATLAB/Simulink

PCB layout collaboration

UL1741 standards

Vendor coordination

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering

Master's in Power Electronics

Tools

PCB layout tools

Job description

Job Title: Hardware Power Electronics Engineer

Duration: Long term

Client: unico

Job Description:

This role focuses on designing and developing next-generation power electronics solutions for applications such as solar, energy storage, electric vehicle charging, and test systems. The engineer will lead projects from concept through productization, with a strong emphasis on high-frequency power conversion using SiC and GaN devices, robust digital control, and compliance with industry standards. The position offers the opportunity to work in a collaborative, cross-functional environment while driving innovation, manufacturability, and customer satisfaction.

Responsibilities

Design and develop next-generation power electronics for solar, energy storage, electric vehicle charging, and test applications using Silicon Carbide (SiC) and Gallium Nitride (GaN) MOSFETs.

Develop high-frequency bidirectional DC-DC converters, AC-DC grid-tie inverters, and resonant converters for medium- to high-power applications.

Lead the full product development lifecycle from concept, architecture, and design through prototyping, validation, and productization.

Create and implement innovative digital control algorithms for power converter systems.

Design and develop advanced magnetics, including high-frequency inductors and transformers.

Collaborate closely with PCB layout designers to implement high-density, high-voltage power designs with careful consideration of EMI/EMC and thermal performance.

Work closely with mechanical designers to develop complete product designs, including sheet metal, heat sinks, bus bars, and related mechanical interfaces.

Achieve UL and CE compliance for power electronic products by defining requirements, supporting testing, and implementing design improvements.

Lead EMC compliance activities, including planning, testing, troubleshooting, and mitigation of EMI issues.

Use simulation tools such as MATLAB, Simulink, and SimPower Systems to model, analyze, and optimize power converter topologies and control strategies.

Support the design and selection of power semiconductor devices, cooling mechanisms, passive components, protection circuits, and sensing circuits.

Ensure designs incorporate appropriate filtering, circuit protection, thermal management, and EMI/EMC considerations.

Contribute to and follow a structured product development process, including design reviews, documentation, and verification and validation activities.

Demonstrate a strong focus on customer satisfaction by understanding application requirements and delivering reliable, high-quality solutions.

Assist team members in meeting project budgets and schedules, and contribute to effective project planning and execution.

Foster open communication and collaboration across technical and business functions, including sales, operations, and quality.

Participate actively in an environment of continuous learning, driving standardization and high-quality design practices with a focus on manufacturability.

Apply structured problem-solving tools such as root cause analysis, 5-Why, 8D, or Six Sigma methodologies to resolve technical issues.

Ensure compliance with all safety and work rules and maintain high standards of housekeeping within the engineering and lab environments.

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering.

Minimum 2 years of related experience in power electronics and control systems design.

Strong background in power electronics design, including DC-DC and AC-DC conversion.

Solid understanding of basic physics and electronics fundamentals.

Strong understanding of high-frequency power stages, filtering, circuit protection, thermal management, and EMI/EMC considerations.

Proficiency with MATLAB, Simulink, and SimPower Systems for modeling and analysis.

Hands-on experience with hardware design and power electronics circuits.

Experience with PCB design concepts and collaboration with PCB layout engineers.

Familiarity with EMI/EMC principles and practical mitigation techniques.

Experience with structured product development processes and taking designs from concept to production.

Excellent oral, written, and listening communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.

Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities.

Ability to work independently, take ownership of tasks, and consistently meet deadlines.

Strong process orientation and discipline, including demonstrated use of problem-solving tools such as root cause analysis, 5-Why Analysis, 8D, or Six Sigma.

Demonstrated commitment to customer service, teamwork, and cross-functional collaboration.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

Master’s degree in power electronics or a closely related field.

More than 5 years of industry experience in power converter development as a new product development (NPD) or research and development (R&D) engineer.

At least 5 years of experience in design, testing, and debugging of DC-DC or three-phase AC-DC converters with voltage ranges from 400 V to 900 V and power levels greater than 2 kW.

Experience in the design and selection of power semiconductor devices, cooling mechanisms, passive components, protection circuits, and sensing circuits.

Understanding of PCB layout design requirements for high-voltage and high-density power converters.

Familiarity with UL1741 standards for power conversion equipment.

Familiarity with typical safety and EMI standards applicable to power converter systems.

Experience with EMC requirements and the design of input and output filters.

Understanding of hardware–mechanical interfaces, including integration with enclosures, heat sinks, and bus bars.

Understanding of hardware–software interfaces, including digital control implementation and firmware interaction with power stages.

Knowledge of fundamental analytical equations and design methods for high-frequency inductors and transformers.

Experience communicating and coordinating with multiple vendors and cross-functional teams.

Experience working in a power electronics laboratory or test environment, including safe operation of high-voltage and high-power equipment.