Lead Mechanical Designer – Medium-Voltage Power Electronics

Amperesand; Reno (NV); On-site; Full time

Job description

Company Overview

Amperesand is reinventing how the world powers its most critical systems. We are facing a once-in-a-generation opportunity for infrastructure disruption. Electricity demand is skyrocketing, driven by AI factories, electric vehicles, and modern industrial growth. Energy supply is shifting to incorporate a more diverse mix of resources – including solar, gas, and batteries – at a massive scale.

And yet the power infrastructure behind our latest mega-projects hasn’t meaningfully changed in nearly 100 years. Supply chains for today’s infrastructure equipment can’t match the pace and sophistication of critical energy projects. Amperesand is building hardware and software that rewrites this broken power infrastructure playbook to support a new era of energy abundance.

We’ve built a new class of intelligent, software‑defined power infrastructure products leveraging a decade of advanced medium voltage solid state transformer research that’s now ready for commercial deployment.

Our products and solutions go far beyond the capabilities of traditional electrical equipment. We make power systems that are faster to deploy, dramatically smaller and more efficient, and capable of supporting modern, dynamic energy needs for tomorrow’s most demanding energy consumers.

Scalable in‑house advanced manufacturing capability is our foundation for meeting timeline and quality expectation to serve infrastructure customers around the world.

Amperesand is led by breakthrough energy hardware development veterans and funded by top tier investors who share our vision of building a category‑defining energy technology company.

With hubs in San Francisco, Reno, and Singapore, our global team is laser focused on building foundational technology to solve the most pressing problems in power infrastructure at scale.

Join us in building the power foundation of the future!

Responsibilities

• Utilize CAD software (3D EXPERIENCE (3DX), CATIA, NX, SolidWorks, Creo) to create detailed mechanical designs
• Lead the mechanical architecture and design of medium‑voltage power electronics converter assemblies and complex electro‑mechanical parts including plastics, sheet metal, insulators, magnetic components, and high‑voltage connectors
• Perform structural FEA, thermal CFD, vibration, and fatigue assessments
• Solve packaging challenges involving electrical isolation, sealing, thermal dissipation, EMI/EMC shielding, and mechanical shock/vibration
• Define and execute structural, thermal, and environmental validation test plans
• Create 2D drawings with GD&T, engineering documentation, tolerance stacks, BOMs, and release packages through PLM systems
• Collaborate with electrical, thermal, firmware and controls, manufacturing, test, industrial design, and suppliers to optimize DFM, DFA, and tooling strategies for high‑volume production
• Lead prototype development, fabrication, assembly, and mechanical testing of new designs
• Support root‑cause analysis of pilot or production issues and lead iterative improvements
• Drive trade studies on design architecture, materials, and manufacturing processes
• Guide selection for structural, thermal, and electrical compatibility in high‑voltage environments
• Contribute to cooling system layouts including cold plates, thermal interfaces, and airflow paths
• Develop assembly procedures and manufacturing instructions to support scalable production
• Participate in mechanical FMEA and DVP&R activities
• Work with quality and reliability teams to meet performance, lifecycle, and safety targets
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical leadership across product programs
• Contribute to technology development for future‑generation SST products and enclosures

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in mechanical design for power electronics, automotive, industrial, or energy products
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field
• Expertise in CAD modeling using 3DEXPERIENCE (CATIA V6/V5), SolidWorks, NX, or Creo
• Deep understanding of statics, dynamics, heat transfer, and materials
• Proficiency in GD&T, tolerance analysis, and DFM/DFA principles
• Experience designing enclosures for IP‑rated or outdoor‑rated power equipment
• Experience with injection molding, die casting, extrusion, and sheet metal forming
• Working knowledge of metals (aluminum, steel), plastics, ceramics, gaskets, and potting compounds
• Hands‑on experience taking designs from prototype through production deployment
• Familiarity with PLM systems (3DEXPERIENCE, Windchill, etc.) and engineering change workflows
• Comfortable with root‑cause analysis, failure mode resolution, and mechanical reliability testing
• Strong communication skills and ability to lead cross‑functional design reviews and technical deep‑dives
• Prior experience collaborating with suppliers on tooling development, DFM feedback, and tolerance negotiations
• Familiarity with PCBAs, connectors, and mechanical integration of high‑density electronic assemblies
• Experience with design and test documentation for regulatory standards (UL, IEC, NEC)
• Ability to drive concurrent engineering initiatives across product timelines
• Passion for product innovation, sustainability, and electrification
• Willingness and ability to travel 15%–20%, including internationally

Bonus Qualifications

• Experience working in Agile development environments using Scrum methodologies and tools like Jira
• Strong background in structural, thermal, and vibration analysis using Ansys Mechanical, Fluent, and Maxwell
• Familiarity with electronics packaging and PCB interface considerations
• Experience with medium‑to‑high‑voltage systems and insulation coordination (creepage, clearance, potting, sealing)

Please note: This role requires working on‑site 5 days a week. We do not offer hybrid or remote options.

Pay Range

SF Pay Range: $180,000—$230,000 USD

Reno Pay Range: $180,000—$230,000 USD

Pay Disclosure & Benefits

Compensation will be determined based on experience, location, and other factors permitted by law.

The benefits outlined below apply exclusively to employees located in the United States.

• Competitive Salary + Incentive Stock Options
• Medical, vision, and dental benefits for employees and their dependents, effective from the start of hire
• Company paid Basic Life, AD&D, short‑term and long‑term disability insurance
• 401k retirement savings plan through Empower
• Employees receive paid time off (PTO), paid sick days, and paid company holidays
• Commuter Benefits
• 100% paid maternal leave (12 weeks) and paternal leave (6 weeks)

Singapore‑based employees receive benefits in accordance with local government provisions.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Amperesand is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information or characteristics, physical or mental disability, marital/domestic partner status, age, military/veteran status, medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Amperesand is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Please let your recruiter know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process.