Power Electronics Engineer - 1st Shift

Dayton Phoenix Group; Dayton (OH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Dayton-Phoenix Group seeks a Power Electronics Engineer to design high-power traction inverters, converters, and motor drives for heavy industry in mining and rail. You will develop robust, efficient power electronics capable of operating in harsh environments and demanding duty cycles.

The ideal candidate has hands-on experience with traction drives, propulsion systems, and high-voltage power electronics, along with strong debugging and documentation skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering, Power Electronics, or related field.
• 3+ years in high-power electronics design for transportation, heavy equipment, or industrial systems.
• Proven expertise with inverters, motor drives, and high-voltage converters (up to 3 kV).
• Familiarity with battery and hybrid energy storage systems for heavy-duty applications.
• Familiarity with electronic test equipment, procedures and international standards.

Responsibilities

• Own electronic and electrical aspects of new product development through production support.
• Design and optimize high-power traction inverters, converters, and power supplies.
• Develop cooling and thermal management solutions for harsh environments.
• Implement advanced control algorithms and embedded firmware for real-time controllers.
• Conduct hardware testing, dynamometer validation, and field trials on locomotives/mining equipment.

Skills

Power electronics design

Traction inverters

High voltage systems

DSP/FPGA real-time controllers

Testing and validation

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering

Power Electronics

Tools

Engineering Software Tools

Job description

Summary:

We are seeking a Power Electronics Engineer to design and develop high-power converters, inverters, and motor drive systems for heavy-duty applications in the mining and railroad industries. This role focuses on delivering robust, efficient, and reliable solutions capable of operating in harsh environments with demanding duty cycles. The ideal candidate has hands‑on experience with traction drives, propulsion systems, and high-voltage power electronics.

Job Functions:

• Responsible for all electronic and electrical aspects of new product development through production support.

System Design & Development

• Design and optimize high-power traction inverters (500 kW+), converters, and auxiliary power supplies for locomotives, haul trucks, and mining equipment.
• Specify and integrate high-voltage semiconductor devices (IGBT, SiC, IGCT, GTO) and power modules.
• Develop cooling and thermal management solutions suitable for harsh, high-vibration environments.

Motor Drives & Controls

• Implement advanced control algorithms for PMSM, and motors.
• Develop embedded firmware on DSP/FPGA/real-time controllers to ensure safe and efficient operation.
• Develop control system, with inverter, for PMSM (500kW plus)

Testing & Validation

• Conduct hardware testing, dynamometer validation, and field trials on locomotives and mining equipment.
• Ensure designs meet rail and mining safety standards.
• Troubleshoot and resolve field performance issues in rugged environments

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work with mechanical, thermal, and systems engineers to ensure integration of power electronics into complete propulsion systems.
• Provide technical support to operations, field service, and customer engineering teams.
• Prepare technical documentation, test reports, and compliance certifications.

Additional Responsibilities

• Analyze customer returns for root cause and develop corrective action response per DPG quality process.
• Provide support to internal and external customers in the use and application of both new and legacy product.
• Provide technical support to Sales Department for quotations, customer service and special design/price requests.
• Prototype building, testing and evaluation include specifying all instrumentation and setup required to perform these tasks.
• Interface with customers as necessary to clarify design objectives on projects and communicate updates to Sales Department.
• Adhere to DPG release to production protocols.
• Continue education to stay current on the latest technologies.
• Working with engineers and technicians to design and build test cells in support of technology development.

Specifications Required:

• Mindfulness and accuracy.
• Strong troubleshooting and critical thinking skills.
• Advanced computer skills.
• Proficient writing skills to produce concise and accurate test plans, reports, and presentations.
• Ability to apply knowledge effectively to new situations and opportunities.
• Ability to transition paper design into physical hardware.
• Effective communicator in both oral and written form of English.
• Initiative-taker with excellent time management skills.
• A contributor to team efforts.
• Always behaving ethically.
• Ability to read/interpret and create manufacturing and/or engineering documentation, test methods, and procedures.
• Ability to accurately direct and clearly summarize test results.

• Knowledge of PMSM and control.
• Proven ability providing leadership and ownership for product support to both the customer and manufacturing.

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering, Power Electronics, or related field
• 3+ years in high-power electronics design for transportation, heavy equipment, or industrial systems.
• Proven expertise with inverters, motor drives, and high-voltage converters (up to 3 kV DC/AC).
• Familiarity with battery and hybrid energy storage systems (BESS) for heavy-duty applications.
• Familiarity with electronic test equipment, procedures and international standards required.
• Demonstrated computer skills including working knowledge of Microsoft Office Tools and Engineering Software Tools required.
• Experience operating laboratory equipment required.

Disclaimer

Please note whether you can perform the functions of this job with or without accommodations. This job description indicates in general the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities and other essential functions (as covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act) expected of an incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of an incumbent. An incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as required.

Personal Protective Equipment Required (when on the factory floor):

• Eye protection (ANSI approved safety glasses)
• Steel-toe shoes
• Hearing (ear) protection (occasionally)

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, sit, walk, reach with hands or arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, talk or hear, and taste or smell and use hands to touch, handle, or feel
• The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• Travel – 0 to 15% typical.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Dayton-Phoenix Group (DPG) provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all associates and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, DPG complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, and training.