Principal Applications Engineer

Synectics Inc.; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Synectics Inc. is seeking a Principal Applications Engineer to serve as the technical authority for strategic customer designs in high-performance power electronics.

You will develop, document, and support reference designs for 150V–650V MOSFET technology, including EV traction inverters, industrial motor drives, and PSFB/LLC topologies. You will collaborate across engineering, reliability, and product marketing while mentoring field applications engineers and partners.

Qualifications

• Master’s or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering with specialization in Power Electronics or 10+ years of related experience.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary technical advisor for strategic customers designing high-performance power electronics solutions.

Skills

Power electronics design

High-voltage MOSFETs

GaN/SiC technologies

Gate-drive circuits

Thermal modeling

EMI/EMC and PCB layout

Power converter design tools

Education

Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering (Power Electronics)

Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering (Power Electronics)

Bachelor’s degree + 10+ years related experience

Tools

PLECS

LTspice

PSIM

SIMPLIS

SIMetrix

Job description

Principal Applications Engineer - Power Electronics

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Arrangement: Full-Time (Travel Required)

About The Opportunity

Our client, an innovative semiconductor company, is seeking a Principal Applications Engineer with deep expertise in power MOSFETs and high-performance power converter design. This senior individual contributor will serve as the technical authority supporting strategic customer designs utilizing advanced 150V-650V MOSFET technology in demanding applications exceeding 10 kW.

The ideal candidate will work closely with key customers, develop reference designs, influence next-generation product development, and serve as the voice of the customer by collaborating across engineering, reliability, and product marketing teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary technical advisor for strategic customers designing high-performance power electronics solutions.
• Develop, document, and support high-efficiency reference designs for applications including:
• Electric vehicle (EV/HEV) traction inverters and onboard chargers
• Industrial motor drives and servo drives
• Phase-Shifted Full-Bridge (PSFB) converters
• LLC resonant converters (half-bridge and full-bridge)
• Totem-pole Power Factor Correction (PFC) and other high-frequency converter topologies
• Perform detailed power loss analysis, thermal modeling, and efficiency optimization using industry-standard simulation tools.
• Design and validate advanced gate-drive circuits for fast-switching power devices, including protection and switching optimization techniques.
• Conduct customer design reviews, technical training sessions, troubleshooting, and on-site application support.
• Develop technical documentation including application notes, white papers, evaluation board guides, and competitive product analyses.
• Collaborate with design engineering, reliability, and product management teams to define future semiconductor products based on customer requirements.
• Provide technical support and mentoring to field applications engineers and distribution partners worldwide.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering with a specialization in Power Electronics, or a Bachelor's degree with 10+ years of directly related experience.
• Minimum 8 years of hands-on experience designing switched-mode power supplies, motor drives, or high-power converter systems.
• Proven experience designing production-level systems using high-voltage MOSFETs and/or wide-bandgap technologies such as SiC MOSFETs or GaN devices.
• Demonstrated expertise with:
• Three-phase motor drives and power inverters (10 kW or greater)
• Phase-Shifted Full-Bridge (PSFB) converters
• LLC resonant converter topologies
• Totem-pole bridgeless PFC designs
• Strong understanding of:
• Silicon and Silicon Carbide (SiC) MOSFET switching characteristics
• High-speed PCB layout and low-inductance design techniques
• Advanced gate-driver design, including protection features
• High-frequency magnetic component design
• Proficiency with simulation tools such as PLECS, LTspice, PSIM, SIMPLIS, or SIMetrix.
• Experience using advanced laboratory equipment for power electronics testing and validation.
• Excellent customer-facing communication and presentation skills.
• Willingness to travel approximately 10-25%, including domestic and international travel.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience with a leading semiconductor manufacturer specializing in power MOSFET, SiC, or GaN technologies.
• Published technical papers, patents, or industry presentations in power electronics.
• Familiarity with automotive and industrial qualification standards.
• Experience with digital control platforms such as TI C2000, STM32, or Microchip dsPIC.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive base salary.
• Equity participation.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• Paid time off.
• Opportunity to work on next-generation semiconductor technologies serving high-growth global markets.

Our client offers a collaborative, technically driven environment where engineers have the opportunity to influence cutting-edge semiconductor products, partner with leading global customers, and help shape the future of advanced power electronics solutions.