Power Electronics Lead, Battery System

QuantumScape; San Jose (CA); Presencial; USD 180 000 - 260 000; Tempo integral

Resumo da oferta

QuantumScape is seeking a Power Electronics Lead to own the complete power conversion architecture for its solid-state battery platform. You will lead topology choices, magnetics design, and the bidirectional battery path, acting as chief engineer for the power stage.

You'll collaborate with firmware and battery systems teams to meet high efficiency, density, and safety targets, while guiding a small cross-functional team on a blank-sheet design at rack-level scale.

Qualificações

• 10+ years designing multi-kW AC-DC or DC-DC power converters that shipped in volume.
• Deep expertise in at least two converter topologies (LLC, PSFB, DAB, CLLC, or equivalent).
• Hands-on magnetics design experience (core selection, winding strategy, loss modeling).
• Experience with digital power control (DSP/MCU-based compensators).
• Track record in high-density power products (server PSU/telecom EV charger).
• Proficiency with simulation tools (PLECS, LTspice, Simplis, PSIM).
• Comfortable leading technical direction and mentoring a small cross-functional team.

Responsabilidades

• Architect end-to-end power conversion topology (AC-DC front end, intermediate bus, DC-DC output, battery path).
• Lead topology trade-off analysis (LLC, phase-shifted full bridge, hybrids).
• Design magnetics and select power semiconductors with thermal derating analysis.
• Define and drive efficiency targets and power density goals for rack-level architecture.
• Collaborate with firmware/embedded on digital control loop implementation.
• Define charge/discharge power path, voltage window, and current limits with battery team.
• Design protection circuits and fault response behavior.
• Bring up and validate prototype power stages on bench; optimize efficiency.
• Interface with PCB layout for EMI-conscious layout and power-plane integrity.

Conhecimentos

Power converters

Converter topologies

Magnetics design

Digital power control

Power systems domains

Circuit simulation

Technical leadership

Formação académica

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Ph.D.

Ferramentas

PLECS

LTspice

PSIM

Simplis

Descrição da oferta de emprego

QuantumScape is on a mission to transform energy storage with solid-state lithium-metal battery technology. The company’s next-generation batteries are designed to enable greater energy density, faster charging and enhanced safety to support the transition away from legacy energy sources toward a lower carbon future.

About the role:

As Power Electronics Lead, you will own the complete power conversion architecture - from AC mains or 48V DC bus input through regulated output rails, including the bidirectional charge/discharge path for the integrated solid-state battery pack. You are the chief engineer for the power stage and the technical decision-maker whose topology choices cascade to every other discipline on the team.

Why this role matters:

Your architecture decisions define the entire product. Whether the battery sits in-line or on a sidecar bus, whether you go GaN at 48V or Si at 12V, whether the hold‑up transfer is sub‑millisecond or requires a brief interruption - every downstream engineer builds on top of your choices. This is a rare opportunity to design a power platform from a blank sheet with a technology (solid‑state batteries) that fundamentally changes what’s possible at rack level.

What you'll do:

• Architect the end‑to‑end power conversion topology (AC-DC front end, intermediate bus, DC-DC output stage, bidirectional battery converter path)
• Lead topology trade‑off analysis: LLC resonant, phase‑shifted full bridge, hybrid approaches, in-line vs. parallel sidecar battery integration
• Design magnetics (planar transformers, coupled inductors) and select power semiconductors (GaN/SiC FETs, diodes) with thermal derating analysis
• Define and drive efficiency targets (97%+ titanium-class at rack load) and power density goals within a lOU or 20U shelf envelope
• Collaborate closely with the firmware/embedded engineer on digital control loop implementation (voltage/current mode compensation, loop bandwidth, phase margin)
• Work with the battery systems engineer to define the charge/discharge power path, voltage window, and current limits for solid‑state cells
• Design protection circuits (OCP, OVP, OTP, short‑circuit) and define fault response behavior
• Bring up and validate prototype power stages on the bench, iterating through bringup, thermal characterization,and efficiency optimization
• Interface with the PCB layout contractor to ensure EMI-conscious layout, proper creepage/clearance,and power plane integrity

Skills you’ll need:

• 10+ years designing multi-kW AC-DC or DC-DC power converters that shipped in volume
• Relevant Bachelor’s degree plus a minimum of 12+ years of experience or a relevant Master’s degree and 10+ years of experience or a relevant Ph.D. and a minimum of 8+ years
• Deep expertise in at least two converter topologies (LLC, PSFB, DAB, CLLC, or equivalent)
• Hands‑on magnetics design experience (core selection, winding strategy, loss modeling)
• Experience with digital power control (working with DSP/MCU‑based compensators, not just analog)
• Track record in server PSU, telecom rectifier, EVonboard charger, or comparable high‑density power product
• Proficiency with simulation tools (PLECS, LTspice, Simplis, PSIM, or equivalent)
• Comfortable leading technical direction and mentoring a small cross‑functional team

Nice to have:

• Familiarity with 48V or high‑voltage DC bus architectures
• Experience with bidirectional power converters (critical for integrated battery path)
• Knowledge of OCP Open Rack/ ORv3 power delivery specs
• Prior exposure to battery charging systems (CC‑CV profiles, temperature‑dependent rate limits)
• Experience with hardware‑in‑the‑loop testing (Typhoon HIL, PLECS RT Box)

ONSITE:

This position is required to work onsite 5 days per week to meet the minimum essential duties and requirements of this position. As an on‑site R&D and manufacturing operations organization, in‑person face to face interaction is essential to building authentic relationships, trust, teamwork, and collaboration.