Power Electronics - Electrical Engineer I

InvestedintheMission; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 81,000 - 122,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Equity

Benefits

Job summary

Shield AI is seeking an entry-level Power Electronics Engineer to own a key power architecture path for the X-BAT program and receive mentorship from senior engineers. You will contribute across the hardware lifecycle from concept to bring-up, with emphasis on reliability and test.

The role emphasizes hands-on design, analysis, and collaboration with cross-functional teams in a fast-paced defense-tech environment.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Electrical Engineering or equivalent.
• Strong fundamentals in circuits, electronics, and power systems.
• Hands-on experience with power electronics (converters, motor drivers, batteries).
• Familiarity with electrical design tools (Altium, KiCad).
• Experience using oscilloscopes, power supplies, e-loads, and multimeters.
• Participation in an engineering team/club or hands-on project experience.
• Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance desired.

Responsibilities

• Own a power electronics design impacting X-BAT system performance and flight test milestones.
• Contribute to full hardware lifecycle from concept to flight test support.
• Design and analyze low- and high-voltage systems including DC-DC converters, inverters, motor controllers, batteries, PDUs, protections.
• Coordinate with ECAD on PCB layout for power density and EMI mitigation.
• Perform hands-on board bring-up, debugging, and root-cause analysis.
• Support environmental, HALT, vibration, and temperature cycling testing.

Skills

Power electronics

Converters

Motor drivers

Batteries

ECAD tools

Lab instrumentation

Team project experience

Security clearance

Education

B.S. in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Altium

KiCad

Job description

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.

Job Description:

Shield AI is redefining autonomous aviation with cutting-edge AI and GPS/RF-denied navigation technologies. Now, we're building our next-generation aircraft, XBAT, like no other—one that will push the boundaries of innovation and performance.

We are looking for an entry-level Power Electronics Engineer who is excited to help bring X-BAT's next-generation power systems to first flight. In this role, you will own a meaningful project directly tied to our power architecture critical path, while receiving direct mentorship from senior power and electrical engineers. We value first-principles thinking, hands-on engineering, and extreme ownership.

What you'll do:

• Own a power electronics design that directly impacts X-BAT system performance and major flight test milestones, supported by a senior engineer who provides technical guidance and review.
• Contribute to the full hardware lifecycle including concept development, modeling, worst-case analysis, schematic capture, simulation, prototyping, bring-up, verification, integration, and flight test support.
• Design and analyze low-voltage and high-voltage power systems including DC-DC converters, inverters, motor controllers, battery systems, power distribution, and protection circuits.
• Design systems across power ranges from <1 kW low-power loads to >10 kW high-power applications while balancing efficiency, thermal constraints, EMI/EMC performance, and reliability.
• Partner with ECAD engineers on PCB layout for power density, thermal performance, EMI mitigation, and manufacturability.
• Execute hands-on board bring-up, debug, root-cause analysis, and validation using oscilloscopes, power supplies, electronic loads, and other test equipment.
• Support environmental, stress, and qualification testing (HALT, vibration, temperature cycling) for aerospace-grade reliability.
• Collaborate closely with Mechanical, Embedded, Software, Production, and Aircraft teams to ensure robust system integration and clear interface ownership.
• Drive disciplined engineering practices including documentation, risk reduction, and closing the loop between analysis and test results.

Required qualifications:

• B.S. in Electrical Engineering or equivalent.
• Strong technical fundamentals in circuits, electronics, and power systems.
• Hands-on experience (coursework, labs, clubs, or internships) with power electronics such as converters, motor drivers, batteries, or high-power systems.
• Familiarity with electrical design tools (Altium, KiCad, etc.).
• Experience using lab equipment such as oscilloscopes, power supplies, e-loads, and multimeters.
• Participation in an engineering team/club or hands-on project experience.
• Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance desired.

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Full-time regular employee offer package:

Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity

Temporary employee offer package:

Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)

Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.

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Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.

81456 - 122184 USD a year