Senior Director of Power Systems Engineering

Wolfspeed; Santa Barbara (CA); On-site; USD 250,000 - 385,000; Full time

Job summary

Wolfspeed in Santa Clara, CA, is seeking a Senior Power Electronics Engineer to design and validate high‑power AC/DC and DC/DC converters for next‑generation data center architectures, from kilowatt racks to hundreds of kilowatts.

You will work with a stellar team across Systems, Applications, Packaging and Device Engineering to deliver high‑density power solutions, leveraging SiC/GaN devices and advanced digital control.

Qualifications

• Master’s or PhD in Electrical Engineering with a power electronics specialization.
• 5+ years in high‑power SMPS design or grid‑tied conversion.
• Hands-on design experience with SiC and GaN wide‑bandgap devices, gate‑drivers, isolators and sensing circuits.
• Experience programming microcontrollers or FPGAs for power electronics (e.g., TI C2000, STM32, or FPGA).
• Experience with PLECS, Simulink, MATLAB/Simulink or LTspice for system‑level analysis.
• Knowledge of 48 V and 800 V/± 400 V DC bus distributions in hyperscale environments.
• Familiarity with OCP power specifications and 80 Plus Titanium efficiency requirements.

Responsibilities

• Architect and build AC/DC front‑ends and DC/DC converters from kilowatt to hundreds of kilowatt power blocks.
• Design high‑efficiency, high‑density topologies to meet data center specifications.
• Component selection, thermal‑conscious schematic capture, and multi‑layer PCB layout optimization.
• Design and model discrete and planar in‑PCB magnetics; collaborate with magnetics vendors.
• Develop, code and tune digital control loops for real‑time power conversion.
• Direct EMI/EMC mitigation strategies and validate systems against grid and safety standards.

Skills

Power electronics

SMPS design

GaN/SiC devices

Digital control concepts

System-level simulation

DC bus architectures

Education

Master’s or PhD in Electrical Engineering

Tools

TI C2000

STM32

FPGA

Job description

Location: Santa Clara, CA (On-site / Lab-focused)

Role Overview

This hands‑on role involves the design, implementation and validation of high‑efficiency AC/DC and DC/DC converters for next‑generation data center architectures, working with a stellar team of systems and applications engineers. This position focuses on delivering high‑power density solutions ranging from kilowatt rack‑level systems to hundreds of kilowatt cluster‑level architectures. The ideal candidate blends hardware topology design/architecture with advanced digital control implementation to power cutting‑edge AI, GPU, and CPU hardware. It is a senior role with high visibility that involves extensive interaction with management and cross‑functional teams, such as Device Engineering, System Applications, and Packaging.

Core Responsibilities

• High‑Power Design: Architect and build AC/DC front‑ends and DC/DC converters handling kilowatt to hundreds of kilowatt power blocks.
• Topology Innovation: Design high‑efficiency, high‑density topologies (e.g., interleaved PFC, LLC, dual active bridge, phase‑shifted full bridge, ISoP converters) to meet stringent specifications for next‑generation data center power delivery.
• Hardware Development: Component selection, thermal‑conscious schematic capture, and multi‑layer PCB layout optimization. Interaction with applications engineering for debug, simulation, and validation of converter specs.
• Custom Magnetics Engineering: Design and model discrete and planar in‑PCB magnetics for high‑frequency operation. Partner with magnetics vendors to specify, iterate, and manufacture custom magnetic components.
• Digital Control Implementation: Develop, code, and tune digital control loops for real‑time power conversion and telemetry.
• Compliance & Validation: Direct EMI/EMC mitigation strategies and validate systems against grid and safety standards.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Master’s or PhD in Electrical Engineering with a power electronics specialization.
• Experience: 5+ years in high‑power SMPS design or grid‑tied conversion.
• Semiconductor Expertise: Deep hands‑on design experience with SiC and GaN wide‑bandgap devices, gate‑drivers, isolators and sensing circuits.
• Digital Control Platforms: Proven experience programming microcontrollers for power electronics (e.g., TI C2000, STM32, or FPGA).
• Simulation Tools: Expert use of PLECS, Simulink, MATLAB/Simulink or LTspice for system‑level analysis of AC/DC and DC/DC converters.
• Advanced Architecture: Knowledge of 48 V and 800 V/± 400 V DC bus distribution frameworks common in hyperscale environments.
• Standards: Familiarity with OCP power specifications and 80 Plus Titanium efficiency requirements.

Compensation Range

$250,000 - $385,000

Wolfspeed is an equal‑opportunity employer. We recruit, employ, train, compensate and promote regardless of race, sex, religion, color, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation and other protected status as required by law.