Test Engineer Power Electronics Traction Inverters

ALTEN; Newark (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

ALTEN Technology USA is seeking a Test Engineer in Newark, California to support validation and testing of high-voltage traction inverter systems used in electric vehicle applications.

You will set up and operate lab test benches, run functional and reliability tests, analyze data, and contribute to automated test scripts while following stringent safety procedures. Collaboration with hardware, software, and systems teams is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field.
• 0–2 years engineering experience (internships or academic projects).
• Understanding of power electronics fundamentals, three-phase systems, motors, and electrical testing.
• Experience with laboratory test equipment (oscilloscopes, DMMs, power supplies, loads).
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and wiring diagrams.

Responsibilities

• Execute verification, validation, characterization, and reliability testing of traction inverter systems and related components.
• Configure and operate laboratory test equipment and inverter test benches.
• Perform functional, performance, thermal, environmental, efficiency, and fault-injection testing.
• Collect, organize, and analyze test data, identifying issues and trends.
• Support hardware bring-up, debugging, and troubleshooting efforts.
• Document test procedures, results, observations, and engineering findings.
• Assist with root cause investigations and validation of corrective actions.
• Support development and maintenance of automated test scripts and data acquisition systems.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support product development and validation.
• Follow lab safety requirements, including high-voltage testing procedures.

Skills

Power electronics

Three-phase systems

Motor drives

Electrical testing

Troubleshooting

MATLAB

Python

LabVIEW

CAN/Ethernet

EMC testing

Inverter topologies

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Mechatronics

Tools

Oscilloscopes

DMMs

Power supplies

Electronic loads

Power analyzers

DAQs

Voltage/current probes

Job description

Newark, California, United States

We’re ALTEN Technology USA, an engineering company helping clients bring groundbreaking ideas to life—from advancing space exploration and life-saving medical devices to building autonomous electric vehicles. With 3,000+ experts across North America, we partner with leading companies in aerospace, medical devices, robotics, automotive, commercial vehicles, EVs, rail, and more.

As part of the global ALTEN Group—57,000+ engineers in 30 countries, we deliver across the entire product development cycle, from consulting to full project outsourcing.

When you join ALTEN Technology USA, you’ll collaborate on some of the world’s toughest engineering challenges, supported by mentorship, career growth opportunities, and comprehensive benefits. We take pride in fostering a culture where employees feel valued, supported, and inspired to grow.

Our client is seeking a Test Engineer to support validation and testing activities for high-voltage traction inverter systems used in electric vehicle applications. This individual will work in a laboratory environment performing test setup, execution, troubleshooting, data analysis, and validation of power electronics systems.

Responsibilities

• Execute verification, validation, characterization, and reliability testing of traction inverter systems and related components.
• Configure and operate laboratory test equipment and inverter test benches.
• Perform functional, performance, thermal, environmental, efficiency, and fault-injection testing.
• Collect, organize, and analyze test data, identifying issues and trends.
• Support hardware bring-up activities, debugging, and troubleshooting efforts.
• Document test procedures, results, observations, and engineering findings.
• Assist with root cause investigations and validation of corrective actions.
• Support development and maintenance of automated test scripts and data acquisition systems.
• Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams to support product development and validation efforts.
• Follow laboratory safety requirements, including high-voltage testing procedures.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related technical field.
• 0-2 years of engineering experience, including internships, co-op programs, or academic research projects. (Level may be adjusted based on candidate experience.)
• Understanding of:
  • Power electronics fundamentals
  • Three-phase power systems
  • Electric motors and motor drives
  • Electrical measurements and circuit testing
• Experience using laboratory test equipment, including:
  • Oscilloscopes
  • Digital multimeters (DMMs)
  • Power supplies
  • Electronic loads
  • Power analyzers
  • Current and voltage probes
  • Data acquisition systems (DAQs)
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and wiring diagrams.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Traction inverter testing
• Electric vehicle powertrain systems
• Motor control systems
• High-voltage electrical systems
• Experience with MATLAB, Python, LabVIEW, or similar engineering tools.
• Familiarity with CAN, Ethernet, or automotive communication protocols.
• Exposure to EMC, environmental, durability, or reliability testing.
• Understanding of inverter topologies, gate drivers, MOSFETs, IGBTs, and/or SiC power devices.

Salary Range

• $110,000 - 115,000
• The actual salary offered is dependent on various factors including, but not limited to, location, the candidate’s combination of job-related knowledge, qualifications, skills, education, training, and experience

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, genetic information, or pregnancy.

Alten USA is a federal contractor subject to the requirements of the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and Executive Order 11246. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

Drug Screening Requirement

As a federal contractor, Alten USA maintains a drug-free workplace. All candidates selected for employment will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment drug screening as a condition of hire.