Power Electronics Engineer

Actalent; Wisconsin; On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent seeks a Hardware Power Electronics Engineer to design and develop next-generation power electronics for solar, energy storage, EV charging, and test systems. You will lead projects from concept through prototyping to production, focusing on high-frequency converters, digital control, and EMI/EMC/thermal performance.

Requirements include a Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering and at least 2 years in power electronics, with strong MATLAB/Simulink skills and experience with SiC/GaN

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering required.
• 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 physics and electronics fundamentals.
• Experience with structured product development processes and taking designs from concept to production.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop power electronics for solar, energy storage, EV charging, and testing using SiC and GaN MOSFETs.
• Develop high-frequency bidirectional DC-DC converters and AC-DC grid-tie inverters.
• Lead full product development lifecycle from concept to productization.
• Create and implement digital control algorithms for power converters.
• Design advanced magnetics including high-frequency inductors and transformers.
• Collaborate with PCB layout designers for high-density, high-voltage designs.
• Work with mechanical engineers on complete product designs including heatsinks and interfaces.
• Achieve UL/CE compliance by defining requirements and supporting testing.
• Lead EMC planning, testing, troubleshooting, and mitigation.
• Model and optimize power converter topologies using MATLAB/Simulink.
• Support selection of power semiconductor devices, cooling, sensing, and protection circuits.
• Ensure EMI/EMC, filtering, and thermal management are built-in.
• Follow structured product development processes with design reviews and validation.
• Demonstrate focus on customer satisfaction by delivering reliable, high-quality solutions.
• Assist team with budgets and schedules, and contribute to project planning.
• Promote cross-functional collaboration and continuous learning to improve manufacturability.
• Apply root-cause analysis and Six Sigma methods to resolve issues.
• Maintain safety and housekeeping standards in lab environments.

Skills

Power electronics design

DC-DC conversion

AC-DC conversion

High-frequency power electronics

EMI/EMC considerations

Thermal management

System modeling

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

MATLAB

Simulink

SimPower Systems

Job description

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Hardware Power Electronics Engineer

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.

Essential Skills

• 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.
• Demonstr