Power Electronic Engineer - PSSD

southernstatesllc; Hampton (GA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Southern States LLC is seeking a Power Electronics Engineer to lead design and optimization of multilevel converter systems for renewable energy, grid infrastructure, and high-voltage applications. You will prototype, validate, and integrate hardware while mentoring junior engineers in a fast-paced environment.

The role emphasizes topology design, efficiency improvements, and compliance with industry standards, with collaboration across controls, mechanical, and test teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering from an accredited program.
• Master's degree preferred with power electronics focus.
• Strong knowledge of multilevel converter topologies and high‑power systems.
• Experience with simulations and hardware prototyping.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop converter topologies, including multilevel circuits and switching devices selection.
• Prototype hardware, assemble components, troubleshoot designs in lab and field.
• Model and simulate performance using MATLAB/Simulink, LTSpice, or PLECS.
• Collaborate across control, mechanical, and test teams for system integration.
• Address fault protection, cooling, and scalability challenges.
• Analyze root causes and implement corrective actions for reliability.
• Produce documentation and support audits and quality procedures.
• Hands-on breadboarding and testing of new designs to resolve production issues.

Skills

Multilevel converters

Thermal management

Electronics design

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Master's degree in Electrical Engineering (preferred)

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

LTSpice

PLECS

SPICE-based software

Altium Designer

FPGA programming

Job description

Job Summary:

The Power Electronics Engineer will play a pivotal role in the design, development, and optimization of advanced power conversion systems, focusing on multilevel converter technologies for applications in renewable energy, grid infrastructure, and high-voltage systems. This position requires a seasoned expert to lead technical efforts in topology design, efficiency enhancement, and hardware integration, while collaborating with cross‑functional teams to deliver innovative solutions that meet stringent performance, reliability, and regulatory standards. The ideal candidate will drive prototyping initiatives, mentor junior engineers, and contribute to the overall success of power electronics projects in a dynamic engineering environment.

Essential Functions:

• Design and develop converter topologies, including multilevel circuits and selection of switching devices such as IGBTs, SiC MOSFETs, or GaN transistors, ensuring compatibility with high‑power applications
• Contribute to prototyping efforts, including hardware assembly, integration of components, and hands‑on troubleshooting to validate designs in lab and field environments
• Conduct detailed simulations and modeling using tools like MATLAB/Simulink, LTSpice, or PLECS to predict system performance, thermal behavior, and electromagnetic compatibility
• Collaborate with control systems, mechanical, and test engineers to integrate power electronics into larger systems, addressing challenges like fault protection, cooling, and scalability
• Perform root cause analysis on design issues, implement corrective actions, and ensure compliance with industry standards such as IEEE, IEC, and UL for safety and performance
• Manage component obsolescence issues of existing hardware platforms
• Prepare technical documentation, reports, and presentations for internal stakeholders and external partners
• Support internal audits and enforce adherence to documented policies and procedures to uphold quality of designs
• “Hands on” ability to breadboard and test new designs and troubleshoot production problems

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from an accredited university
• Knowledge of multilevel converter topologies and power conversion systems.
• Proficiency in simulation & design tools (e.g., MATLAB/Simulink, SPICE‑based software) and hardware prototyping techniques.
• Solid understanding of thermal management and power loss calculations.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with attention to technical detail
• Effective written and verbal communication skills for customer and internal technical discussions
• Willingness to travel occasionally for customer meetings, site visits, or training (typically <25%)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Electrical Engineering with a specialization in power systems or power electronics
• Five (5) years of professional experience in power electronic design of multilevel converters and high‑voltage systems
• Proven expertise in designing multilevel converters (e.g., MMC, CHB) and working with power semiconductors like Si IGBTs or wide‑bandgap semiconductors
• Familiarity with advanced control strategies, such as model predictive control or PWM techniques for multilevel converters
• Experience with embedded systems, FPGA/DSP programming, or real‑time control implementation
• Experience leading hardware integration and prototyping projects from concept to validation
• Demonstrated ability to optimize designs for efficiency, harmonics reduction, and high‑voltage performance
• Knowledge of regulatory compliance and certification processes for high‑power equipment
• Proficiency in CAD tools for PCB layout (e.g., Altium Designer) and mechanical integration software