Senior Validation Engineer Power Electronics

Actalent; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 100,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401K

Job summary

Actalent seeks a Validation Engineer Power Electronics to lead verification, validation, and certification activities for power conversion equipment, industrial drives, and renewable systems. Design strategies, execute qualification programs, and mentor technicians in the lab.

This role blends hands-on testing (~25% in lab) with engineering analysis, collaborating across Product Development, Compliance, Manufacturing, and Quality to ensure compliance with UL/ISO standards and robust test

Qualifications

• ABET-accredited electrical engineering degree is required/preferred.
• 5+ years in product validation, test engineering, or power electronics.
• Experience with high-power AC/DC systems is essential.
• Strong technical writing and test documentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop verification and validation plans and reports.
• Design and execute electrical, thermal, and reliability tests.
• Collaborate with Product Development to define criteria.
• Support regulatory and certification submissions.
• Mentor Validation Lab Technicians and write procedures.
• Lead data analysis and root-cause investigations.

Skills

Validation planning

Test program design

Root cause analysis

Technical writing

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Laboratory safety

Laboratory analysis

Education

B.S. in Electrical Engineering (ABET)

M.S. in Electrical Engineering

Tools

LabVIEW

Python

MATLAB

NI test systems

Automated test development tools

Oscilloscopes

Power supplies

Job description

Job Title: Validation Engineer Power Electronics

Job Description

The Validation Engineer Power Electronics leads verification, validation, compliance, and certification activities for advanced power conversion equipment, industrial drives, motor controls, renewable energy systems, and electrical test platforms. This hands-on role develops validation strategies, designs test methods, executes complex qualification programs, analyzes results, and provides technical leadership within the Engineering Validation Lab. The position combines laboratory work with engineering analysis and cross-functional collaboration with Product Development, Compliance Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, and Operations.

Responsibilities

• Develop comprehensive verification and validation plans, detailed test procedures, qualification reports, and clear engineering recommendations.
• Design, execute, and analyze electrical, thermal, environmental, reliability, and compliance test programs for new and existing products.
• Collaborate closely with Product Development engineers to define validation strategies and acceptance criteria throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Work with Compliance Engineering to support regulatory, certification, and standards compliance activities, including report writing for compliance submittals to various agencies.
• Partner with Quality and Manufacturing Engineering to ensure validation activities support product quality objectives and robust manufacturing processes.
• Develop production test requirements, acceptance criteria, and manufacturing verification methods for new products.
• Analyze test results, identify performance issues, and provide data-driven recommendations to engineering teams.
• Conduct root cause investigations, failure analysis, and corrective action verification to resolve product and test issues.
• Support continuous improvement of laboratory capabilities, test methods, equipment utilization, and test automation.
• Support maintenance of laboratory compliance with UL DAP, ISO/IEC standards, and ISO 9001 quality system requirements.
• Serve as a technical subject matter expert for power electronics testing, instrumentation, and measurement techniques.
• Provide technical guidance, coaching, and mentoring to Validation Lab Technicians to support skill development and consistent execution of test methods.
• Support laboratory planning and prioritization activities in coordination with Engineering Lab leadership.
• Act as an individual contributor who writes procedures based on compliance requirements and provides technical mentorship to technicians.
• Spend approximately 25% of time working hands-on in the lab and perform testing activities safely and confidently.

Essential Skills

• B.S. in Electrical Engineering (EE) or Electrical Engineering Technology (EET) from an ABET-accredited institution.
• Minimum 5+ years of experience in product validation, test engineering, power electronics, or related engineering roles.
• Demonstrated experience working safely with high-power electrical systems, including three-phase AC systems up to 690 Vac and DC systems up to 2000 V.
• Strong understanding of power electronics, electrical measurements, and core engineering fundamentals.
• Ability to independently plan, execute, analyze, and document complex engineering test programs.
• Strong technical writing skills for procedures, test reports, and compliance documentation.
• Proficient troubleshooting skills for complex electrical and power electronics systems.
• Effective project management and communication skills in cross-functional engineering environments.
• Hands-on experience using oscilloscopes, high-voltage differential probes, current probes, and digital multimeters (DMMs).
• Hands-on experience with AC/DC power supplies, electronic loads, and regenerative four-quadrant systems.
• Hands-on experience with data acquisition systems, thermocouples, RTDs, and automated switching systems.
• Hands-on experience with logic analyzers and communication or protocol analyzers.
• Hands-on experience with spectrum analyzers, dynamic signal analyzers, and vector network analyzers (VNAs).
• Experience with statistical data analysis, reliability methods, and root cause investigation techniques.
• Comfort working in a laboratory environment approximately 25% of the time and willingness to perform hands-on testing.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• M.S. in Electrical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Experience with industrial drives, motor controls, renewable energy systems, battery systems, EV propulsion testing, or industrial automation.
• Experience with product safety, EMC/EMI, and certification testing.
• Experience developing manufacturing, qualification, and end-of-line production test methods.
• Familiarity with LabVIEW, Python, MATLAB, NI test systems, or automated test development tools.
• Experience working within accredited laboratory environments and regulated product development processes.
• Experience writing test procedures and validation documentation based on compliance engineer requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to provide technical mentorship and guidance to technicians and junior staff.

Work Environment

This role is based in Franksville, WI, with the primary job location planned to move to the Milwaukee area in early 2027. The position operates on a first-shift schedule, typically from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Work is performed in an Engineering Validation Lab equipped with advanced test and measurement instrumentation, including oscilloscopes, high-voltage probes, power supplies, electronic loads, data acquisition systems, analyzers, and automated test systems. The environment emphasizes safe work practices around high-power electrical systems and adherence to UL DAP, ISO/IEC, and ISO 9001 quality system requirements. The role involves approximately 25% hands-on laboratory work and the remainder focused on engineering analysis, documentation, and collaboration with cross-functional teams. Dress is appropriate for a professional engineering and laboratory setting, with any required personal protective equipment provided in accordance with safety procedures.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Milwaukee, WI.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $100000.00 - $180000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

full benefits- health, dental, vision, 401K

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Milwaukee,WI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 16, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.