Staff Power Electronics Engineer

Rivian; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) Plan

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Paid vacation and sick leave

Job summary

Rivian in Torrance, CA seeks an experienced Power Electronics Engineer to design and develop high‑power electrical circuits and converters for off‑board charging products. You will lead PCB layout, simulations, and component selection while collaborating with Mechanical, Software and Controls teams.

Requirements include an MS in Electrical Engineering with 5+ years in power electronics or a PhD with 3+ years. Proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink, PLECS, LTSpice, and Altium is preferred.

Qualifications

• MS in Electrical Engineering with 5+ years of related experience or PhD with 3+ years in power electronics.
• Experience with AC-DC PFC rectifiers and isolated DC-DC converters.
• Strong understanding of power semiconductor devices and switching characteristics.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of high-power electrical circuits and power converters.
• Perform design analysis, PCB layout, and component selection.
• Simulate converters using MATLAB/Simulink, PLECS, and LTSpice.
• Engage with cross-functional teams across Mechanical, Software, and Controls.

Skills

Power electronics

Digital control

PWM modulation

Gate drivers

Power semiconductor devices

Spice

MATLAB/Simulink

Bidirectional conversion

System-level thinking

Team collaboration

Education

MS in Electrical Engineering

PhD in Electrical Engineering

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

PLECS

LTSpice

Altium Designer

Ansys Maxwell/Q3D

Job description

Overview

Rivian is on a mission to keep the world adventurous forever. We build emissions‑free Electric Adventure Vehicles and seek curious, courageous souls. Our diverse team shares a love of the outdoors and a desire to protect it for future generations.

Role Summary

Design and develop electrical circuits and power converters for Rivian’s off‑board charging products, including the Rivian Adventure Network DC fast charger, Level‑2 AC charger, and State‑of‑the‑Art energy products. This position is located in Torrance, CA and reports to the Sr. Manager, Power Electronics.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of high‑power electrical circuits, such as Active Power‑Factor‑Correction (PFC) AC‑DC rectifiers, isolated DC‑DC converters, filter boards, and embedded controllers.
• Perform stress analysis, component selection, magnetic design, schematic creation, circuit design, and PCBA layout.
• Conduct trade studies for key decisions such as circuit topology, power device, and magnetics.
• Simulate power converters and basic converter control algorithms using MATLAB/Simulink, PLECS, LTSpice, and other tools.
• Analyze structures and magnetic components such as bus bars and high‑frequency transformers/inductors.
• Design EMI/EMC filters.
• Interact with suppliers on critical components.
• Test prototype power electronics circuits in the lab.
• Characterize power semiconductor devices, including Silicon, SiC, and GaN.
• Engage with multiple cross‑functional teams, including Mechanical, Software and Controls, Systems, Test, Quality, Reliability, and Manufacturing.

Qualifications

• Minimum M.S. in Electrical Engineering plus 5+ years of relevant industry experience, or Ph.D. with 3+ years of industry experience, specializing in power electronics.
• Familiarity with common 1/3‑phase topologies such as AC‑DC PFC rectifier and isolated DC‑DC converters (e.g., dual active bridge, LLC).
• Experience designing and optimizing power converter circuits including gate drivers.
• Solid understanding of power semiconductor switches and diodes and their characteristics.
• Experience with digital control of power electronic circuits such as power‑stage average/small‑signal modeling, closed‑loop control, and PWM modulation.
• Experience with bidirectional AC‑DC or DC‑DC power conversion.
• Proficiency with software tools such as Spice, PLECS, Ansys, and MATLAB.
• Experience with magnetic design, circuit parasitic analysis using FEA simulation tools such as Ansys Maxwell/Q3D or equivalent.
• Preference for experience in high‑power EV charger or energy storage, stationary‑related power converters.
• Preferred PCB layout experience using Altium Designer.
• Exposure to EMC requirements and safety certification.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced development environment.

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive benefits package for full‑time and part‑time employees, including paid vacation, paid sick leave, and a competitive portfolio of insurance benefits such as life, medical, dental, vision, short‑term disability, and long‑term disability insurance. Eligible employees may also participate in Rivian’s 401(k) Plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program. Full‑time coverage is effective on the first day of employment; part‑time coverage begins the first of the month following 90 days of employment.

Equal Opportunity

Rivian is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, or characteristics, physical or mental disability, marital/domestic partner status, age, military/veteran status, medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by law. Rivian is committed to ensuring that its hiring process is accessible for persons with disabilities.