Principal Applications Engineer in NC

iDEAL Semiconductor Devices Inc; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

iDEAL Semiconductor Devices Inc. is seeking a Principal Applications Engineer with deep expertise in power MOSFETs and high-performance power converter design.

You will be the technical authority for customer designs using SuperQ MOSFETs up to 10 kW, engaging with tier-1 customers and providing reference designs. Reporting to the VP of Applications Engineering, you will drive product definitions, produce application notes, train customers, and collaborate with IC design, reliability, and

Qualifications

• MSEE or PhD in Power Electronics (or BSEE + 10+ years relevant experience).
• 8+ years of hands-on experience designing switched-mode power supplies or motor drives with HV MOSFETs / SiC/GaN devices.
• Proven track record of production designs: 3-phase motor drives/inverters up to 10 kW, phase-shifted full-bridge, totem-pole PFC.
• Strong knowledge of Si/SiC MOSFET switching, high-speed layout, transformer design, and lab/validation tools.
• Excellent communication and travel ~10–25%.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary technical interface for strategic customers designing with our SuperQ MOSFETs.
• Develop, document, and support high-efficiency reference designs (up to 10 kW) featuring Traction inverters and on-board chargers for EV/HEV.
• Industrial motor drives and servo drives (3-phase, up to 10 kW).
• Phase-shifted full-bridge topologies for isolated DC-DC conversion and LLC resonant converters.
• Totem-pole PFC and other high-frequency topologies; perform detailed power-loss modeling and thermal analysis.
• Design and validate gate-drive circuits optimized for fast switching; conduct customer training and design reviews.
• Generate application notes, white papers, evaluation board guides, and competitive teardowns.
• Collaborate with IC design, reliability, and marketing teams to define next-generation SuperQ MOSFETs.
• Support field applications engineers and distribution FAEs globally.

Skills

Power electronics

Customer-facing

Thermal analysis

SPICE modeling

High-frequency layout

Travel willingness

Education

MSEE or PhD in Power Electronics

Tools

PLECS

LTspice

SIMetrix

PSIM

Job description

We’re looking for an experienced Principal Applications Engineer with deep expertise in power MOSFETs and high-performance power converter design. This senior individual contributor role will serve as the technical authority for customer designs using our Super-\"Q\" MOSFETs in demanding applications up to 10 kW and beyond, with particular emphasis on motor drives, phase-shifted full-bridge (PSFB), and LLC resonant converter topologies. You will work directly with tier-1 customers, provide reference designs, drive new product definition, and act as the voice of the customer internally.

This role reports to the Vice President of Applications Engineering

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary technical interface for strategic customers designing with our 150-650V SuperQ MOSFETs
• Develop, document, and support high-efficiency reference designs (up to 10 kW) featuring:
• Traction inverters and on-board chargers for EV/HEV
• Industrial motor drives and servo drives (3-phase, up to 10 kW)
• Phase-shifted full-bridge (PSFB) topologies for isolated DC-DC conversion
• LLC resonant converters (half-bridge and full-bridge)
• Totem-pole PFC and other high-frequency topologies
• Perform detailed power-loss modeling, thermal analysis, and efficiency optimization using SiC-specific tools (PLECS, LTspice, Mathcad, etc.
• Design and validate gate-drive circuits optimized for fast switching (low inductance, negative-voltage turn-off, active Miller clamping, short-circuit protection, etc.)
• Conduct customer training, design reviews, and on-site debugging of applications.
• Generate application notes, white papers, evaluation board user guides, and competitive teardowns focused on SuperQ advantages.
• Collaborate with IC design, reliability, and marketing teams to define next-generation SuperQ MOSFETs based on real customer pain points.
• Support field applications engineers and distribution FAEs globally.

Required Qualifications:

• MSEE or PhD in Power Electronics (or BSEE + 10+ years relevant experience).
• 8+ years of hands-on experience designing switched-mode power supplies or motor drives using best in class HV MOSFETs and/or wide-bandgap devices (SiC MOSFETs or GaN HEMT experience a plus).
• Proven track record of successful production designs in the following:
• 3-phase motor drives/inverters (up to 10 kW or higher)
• Phase-shifted full-bridge converters
• Totem-pole bridgeless PFC
• Expert-level knowledge of:
• Si/SiC MOSFET switching behavior, body-diode characteristics, and third-quadrant operation
• High-speed, low-inductance layout techniques for High Performance SI/SiC
• Magnetic design for high-frequency transformers and resonant inductors
• Proficiency with simulation tools (PLECS, SIMetrix/SIMPLIS, LTspice, PSIM) and lab equipment (high-bandwidth scopes, double-pulse test rigs, calorimetric measurement). (Ability to create SPICE models and validate a plus)
• Strong customer-facing skills; ability to explain complex technical concepts clearly.
• Willingness to travel ~10-25% (domestic and international).

Nice to Have

• Prior experience at a Top Tier Power MOSFET, SiC or GaN semiconductor manufacturer.
• Published papers or patents in power electronics in aforementioned topologies.
• Familiarity with automotive (AEC-Q101) or industrial qualification requirements is a plus.

Experience with digital control (TI C2000, STM32, Microchip dsPIC) for motor drives and resonant converters is a plus.

Why Join iDEAL

• Work on next-generation silicon technology redefining performance limits
• Direct impact on products used in high-growth markets
• Collaborative, low-ego culture with high technical depth
• Opportunity to grow with a scaling semiconductor company
• Exposure to global customers and cutting-edge applications
• Opportunity to shape the future of next generation converters