Principal Field Applications Engineer

Sterling Engineering; Milpitas (CA); Hybrid; USD 170,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Sterling Engineering is seeking a Principal Applications Engineer with deep expertise in low‑voltage DC‑DC converters to support advanced power modules for HPC, networking and storage. This senior, customer‑facing role blends hands‑on lab work with post‑sales design‑in support and close cross‑functional collaboration.

The ideal candidate has designed DC‑DC converters, enjoys solving complex lab problems, and communicates clearly with customers and internal teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering required; Master's preferred.
• 8+ years in design/Applications/verification in power electronics.
• Strong hands-on DC-DC converter design, validation, and support.
• Ability to work with customers and explain complex topics clearly.

Responsibilities

• Act as SME for DC-DC converter and buck products.
• Provide post-sales guidance and design‑in support to customer teams.
• Perform qualification/verification testing in local labs and at customer sites (50–75% onsite).
• Support field engineers by resolving advanced technical questions.
• Verify products against specifications and requirements.
• Coordinate with design, validation, manufacturing and BD to deliver results.

Skills

DC-DC design

Lab testing

Customer-facing

Post-sales support

Design-in support

Power electronics

Buck converters

Thermal management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Principal Applications Engineer – Power Electronics (DC-DC Converters)

Location: San Jose / Milpitas, CA (hybrid)

Compensation: $170,000 - $220,000 base + 15% or higher annual bonus (historically higher)

Relocation: Available assistance if needed, preference for local candidates

Overvie

wWe are seeking a senior-level Principal Applications Engineer with deep expertise in low-voltage DC-DC converters (Buck conversion products) to support advanced power module products used in high-performance computing, networking, storage, and other demanding applications

.This role is highly technical and customer-facing, combining hands-on lab work, post-sales design-in support, and close collaboration with internal design, validation, and field engineering teams. The position is based in the San Jose / Milpitas area and supports a major local customer

.The ideal candidate is a former design engineer or verification engineer who has worked directly on DC-DC converter designs and enjoys solving complex technical problems in lab environments while working closely with customers

.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the technical subject matter expert for DC-DC converter and buck conversion products
• Provide post-sales technical guidance and design-in support to customer engineering team
• Conduct complex qualification and verification testing in local labs and at customer sites (approximately 50-75% onsite depending on project phase)
• Support field engineers by resolving advanced technical questions and system-level issues
• Verify products against customer specifications and application requirement
• Collaborate closely with internal design engineering, validation, manufacturing, and business development teams to resolve issues and deliver results on schedule
• Translate customer technical needs into product recommendations, specifications, and development feedback
• Identify potential design or integration risks early and communicate clearly with both customers and internal teams
• Coordinate product integration efforts between component suppliers, internal teams, and customers
• Develop and deliver technical presentations and seminars for customers and field engineering teams
• Define initial project scope, prepare project plans, and maintain technical documentation
• May sit onsite with customers locally for extended periods during critical project phases

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering (Master's preferred
• 8+ years of experience in design engineering, applications engineering, or verification engineering within power electronics
• Strong hands-on experience with low-voltage DC-DC converter design, validation, and application support
• Deep understanding of power conversion topologies, power integrity, thermal considerations, and system-level performance tradeoff
• Extensive comfort working in lab environments performing qualification and validation testing
• Proven ability to support mid-to-large customers in complex technical environments
• Strong communication skills and the ability to explain complex technical topics clearly to customers and internal teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Background in power modules used for data centers, networking, computing, or industrial systems
• Experience supporting field application engineering teams
• Mandarin language skills are a plus
• Hybrid role based in the San Jose area
• Work from home option when not performing lab or customer-site
• Significant hands-on lab exposure using advanced power electronics platforms
• Close collaboration with global engineering and manufacturing teams