Power Electronics Engineer

Ricardo Deutschland GmbH; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Ricardo Deutschland GmbH is seeking an experienced Power Electronics Engineer to design, develop, and validate advanced power electronics for electrified systems. You will work across cross‑functional teams to translate system requirements into component-level specifications and deliver robust, scalable solutions.

Applicants should have 5–6 years of HV power electronics experience, proficiency with Altium and CAD tools, and a strong record of collaboration and problem solving.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering required.
• 5–6 years of high‑voltage power electronics design, development and testing experience.
• Strong communication, client awareness and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to plan tasks, resources, effort, duration and costs.
• Experience developing and maintaining supplier relationships.
• Self‑starter who can work with others effectively.
• Experience with 48V, 400V, and >800V systems and component selections.
• Hands-on power electronics hardware development: design, debugging and validation.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and test power electronics for electrified systems (AC/DC chargers, DC/DC converters, inverters, EMI filters, etc).
• Perform PCBA circuit simulation, schematics, layout, and design reviews.
• Collaborate with Systems, Software/Controls, and Mechanical teams to ensure robust product development.
• Decompose system-level requirements to drive component-level specs.
• Develop modular, scalable architectures for LV and HV applications.
• Specify, design, develop, test, and validate power electronics for global applications.

Skills

Power electronics design

Communication skills

Problem solving

Planning and resource management

Supplier relationships

Self-starter

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering

Master's or PhD in relevant field

Tools

Altium

PLECS

CAD tools

Job description

Responsibilities

• Utilizing state of the art tools, design, develop, and test power electronics products for future electrified systems, including AC/DC chargers, DC/DC converters, inverters, EMI filters, bus bar specifications and all related internal components.
• PCBA Circuit Simulation, Schematics, Layout, and Design Review experience.
• Work collaboratively with the Systems, Software/Controls, and Mechanical teams to ensure successful product development.
• Decompose system level requirements to drive component level design requirements.
• Work on a modular and scalable architecture that can be applied across LV and HV electrified systems.
• Responsible for the specification, design, development, testing & validation of power electronics for global electrified applications. This role can include bespoke designs, upgrade of existing designs, and applications engineering.
• Utilize individual and group design, drawing, specification and code reviews to demonstrate and drive the application of robust technical fundamentals to optimize system performance, quality, DFM/DFA and cost.
• Conduct root cause analysis and support troubleshooting in multiple formats (8D, etc).
• Ability to review existing components and system designs to determine if they are adequate for use in multiple applications or if there is opportunity to improve on the existing design for upgraded performance.
• Creativity and innovative ideas for complex system and component challenges.
• Understanding of global industry standards and trends to provide the latest technology solutions.
• Leverage extensive product development assets including team members, test labs, and expert product development capabilities to deliver best-in‑class performance, usability and quality.
• Work collaboratively across the North American and Global Ricardo group for international clients.
• Recognized expertise, lead contributor.
• Provides guidance and support to others.
• Other duties as required.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical engineering.
• 5-6 years’ relevant experience in high‑voltage power electronics design, development and testing – DC/AC Inverters, DCDC Converters, On‑Board Chargers, Power Distribution in Automotive, On/Off‑Highway, Motorsports, Stationary etc.
• Strong communication, client awareness, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to plan tasks and resources effort, duration costs.
• Experienced in developing and maintaining supplier relationships.
• Highly motivated to succeed, a self‑starter who is driven and able to work with others effectively.
• Experience working with 48V, 400V, and >800V voltage levels and component selections.
• Hands on experience in power electronics hardware development including design, debugging and validation of:
  • Semiconductor switching waveforms, loss modeling and thermal management.
  • Magnetic components.
  • Protection devices and safety issues.
  • Printed circuit board layout, interconnection, packaging, EMC and EMI.
  • Circuit simulation and computer‑aided design tools (CAD).
  • PCB bring‑up, bench‑test & troubleshooting knowledge.

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters or PhD in relevant field.
• Fundamental understanding of switched‑mode power conversion as applied to DC and AC circuits and systems.
• Knowledgeable in IGBT, Si/SiC, and GaN MOSFET technology and selection.
• Working knowledge of IGBT/MOSFET gate drive circuits.
• Experience in analog, digital and mix signal hardware design.
• Knowledge of feedback control and stability. Experience with schematic capture (Altium preferred) and simulation tools (PLECS) for power electronics.
• Experience in PCB layout for power electronics (Altium preferred): minimal stray inductance, EMC/EMI optimization.
• Design for Manufacturing, Design for reliability, DFMEA and fault trees.

Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion Statement

We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, creed, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy or pregnancy‑related condition, marital or parental status (IL only), height, weight, national origin, citizenship status, age, domestic violence victim status, arrest record or conviction record (MI only), genetic information, military or veteran status or disability, or any other classification protected by applicable federal, state, or municipal law. VEVRAA Federal Contractor.