Senior Principal Electrical Engineer- Power Systems

Epirus; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 175,000 - 245,000; Full time

Job summary

Epirus is seeking a senior engineer who will own power distribution and integration for High Power Microwave phased arrays. You will drive design from concept through prototyping to production, collaborating with a multidisciplinary engineering team in a fast-paced environment.

You will architect power systems, define safety standards, and mentor engineers while coordinating with internal groups and external suppliers on complex subsystems.

Qualifications

• Requires degree in Electrical, Aerospace or Systems Engineering.
• 12+ years of industry experience across the product lifecycle.
• Strong communication and clear documentation skills.
• Knowledge of Jira and Scrum practices.

Responsibilities

• Prototyping and design of critical power electronics subsystems for prime power distribution.
• Develop system-level power budgets and coordinate with subsystem teams.
• Perform analyses and simulations including EPLAs, short‑circuit calculations, and power studies.
• Lead the design and integration of power electronics for large-scale phased arrays.
• Define safety standards and lead reviews at key milestones.
• Refine specifications for High Power Microwave subsystems and distribution architectures.
• Hands-on development: wiring, testing, and debugging high power arrays.
• Architect power distribution through trade studies and diagram reviews.
• Coordinate with suppliers and internal teams to meet system requirements.
• Mentor junior engineers in power fundamentals and ruggedization techniques.

Skills

Experience 12+ years

Communication skills

Jira/Scrum

Education

Electrical/Aerospace/Systems Eng degree

Tools

Jira

Scrum

Job description

About Epirus

Epirus is a high-growth technology company developing software-defined high-power microwave (HPM) systems with devastating counter-electronics effects on modern drone threats. The Epirus Leonidas HPM family of products, empowered by innovations in AI and microelectronics, is human safe and cost-effective. Distinguishing itself from lasers, Leonidas excels against drone swarms while also bending the cost curve back in DoD's favor — taking drone defeat costs from millions of dollars per drone to pennies on the dollar.

About Epirus

Epirus is a high-growth technology company developing software-defined high-power microwave (HPM) systems with devastating counter-electronics effects on modern drone threats. The Epirus Leonidas HPM family of products, empowered by innovations in AI and microelectronics, is human safe and cost-effective. Distinguishing itself from lasers, Leonidas excels against drone swarms while also bending the cost curve back in DoD's favor — taking drone defeat costs from millions of dollars per drone to pennies on the dollar.

Job Summary:

The ideal candidate for the position is someone who has mastered power distribution for electrification and can own product development through all stages of conception, prototype, and productization. In this role, you will work closely with a talented engineering team in a fast-paced environment to apply emerging technologies in innovative ways to rapidly produce new products. Own systems integration efforts on High Power Microwave Phased Array Power system. Architect and implement designs for power distribution, communications, safety, and other system electrical needs. This position will report to the Senior Manager of Electrical Engineering.

Responsibilities

• Prototyping and Design: Design and prototype critical power electronics subsystems, with an emphasis on prime power distribution and conversion.
• Power Budgets: Develop system-level power budgets, and coordinate requirements with subsystem design teams.
• Analyses and Simulation: Create and review engineering analyses such as electric power load analyses (EPLAs), short‑circuit hand calculations, power systems studies, voltage drop calculations, lighting calculations, harmonic analyses, and similar.
• System Integration: Lead the design and integration of the power electronics subsystems of large-scale phased arrays from prototype development to full-scale production.
• Standards and Best Practices: Define the organizational standards for high voltage safety and best practices and lead the team through safety checks at key integration milestones.
• Technical Specifications: Define and refine technical requirements and specifications for High Power Microwave power subsystems and power distribution and conversion architecture.
• Hands‑On Development: Engage in hands‑on activities such as wiring, testing, and debugging high power phased array systems.
• Architecture: Lead architecture of power distribution systems by performing trade studies, single line diagram, benchmarking, and architecture reviews.
• Supplier Coordination: Collaborate with internal teams and external suppliers on component design, testing, and evaluation to meet system requirements.
• Leadership: Mentor junior engineers in power system fundamentals, general design principles, and ruggedization techniques.

Basic Qualifications

• Degree in one of the following: Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering
• 12+ years of industry experience, preferably spanning the entire product lifecycle (concept to field deployment). Advanced degrees might be used in place of years of experience.
• Communication Skills: Ability to articulate and defend technical decisions, with clear written and verbal communication skills.
• Knowledgeable with Jira/scrum best practices

Preferred Skills And Experience

• Battery: Experience implementing high-voltage power distribution and battery systems (up to 800V).
• Prime Power: Experience designing and implementing both three-phase AC (120V/208V/240V/480V) and high-voltage DC power subsystems for directed energy systems.
• Communication Protocols: Familiarity with fieldbus and other communication protocols relevant to power subsystems and industrial automation (e.g., RS485, RS232, CAN, EtherCAT, Ethernet, etc.).
• Standards Knowledge: Knowledge of applicable industry standards (e.g., MIL-STD, IEC standards).
• Harness Design: Proficiency in standard practices and design rules for high voltage/high power wiring and harness design.
• DFMEA Process: Experience with Design Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (DFMEA) for identifying and mitigating potential system failures.
• Aerospace/Defense experience and/or military experience preferred, or experience in Directed Energy or a similar industry (e.g., Aircraft Power, Radar Power Systems, Laser Systems, Automotive / Electric Vehicle Power).
• Ability to obtain and maintain a US Clearance, US citizenship is required to obtain a US Clearance

Additional Requirements

• Ability to travel on an occasional basis

Itar Requirements

• To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

People are the most important part of Epirus – and always come first. We don’t believe in the word impossible and are always asking “why not” as work to usher in a new paradigm of power efficiency. Our fast-growing team is agile, creative, and innovative. We support a culture of constant learning and sense of belonging among our team members and know that mentorship matters. We embrace diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and beyond. To deliver on our mission, we are always looking for problem solvers, changemakers and innovators to join our fast-growing team.

As required by the Equal Pay Transparency Act, Epirus provides a reasonable range of minimum compensation for roles that may be hired. Actual compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, and specific office location.

For the state of California only, the range of starting pay for this role is:

$175,000—$245,000 USD