Senior Power Electronics Engineer - EV Charging Solutions

Placements24; Paarl; Hybrid; ZAR 1,800,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity options

Health insurance

Generous PTO

Remote work

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Power Electronics Engineer to lead high‑power converter design for EV charging in a fully remote R&D team. You will architect power topologies, select components, and develop control loops while collaborating with firmware engineers.

Requirements include a Master’s/PhD in Power Electronics and 8+ years in kw–MW range converters, plus expertise in Si/SiC/GaN devices and EMI/EMC testing. Remote collaboration and strong documentation skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Masters or PhD in Electrical Engineering with Power Electronics specialization.
• Experience designing high‑power converters (kW to MW range).
• Deep knowledge of Si, SiC, GaN devices and integration constraints.
• Proficiency with simulation tools: PLECS, SPICE, MATLAB/Simulink.
• Embedded control concepts and firmware collaboration experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead design of high‑efficiency, high‑reliability power converters for EV charging.
• Architect converter topologies and select MOSFETs/IGBTs; design gate drives and control loops.
• Create schematics, PCB layouts, and perform worst‑case analyses.
• Develop control algorithms for PF correction and grid synchronization.
• Oversee testing, validation, and EMI/EMC compliance of prototypes.
• Collaborate with firmware for embedded control software development.
• Perform thermal analyses and design cooling for power electronics.
• Mentor engineers and contribute to the technical roadmap.

Skills

Power electronics design

High-power converters

Control systems design

Thermal management

EMI/EMC testing

Remote collaboration

Education

Master's or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering with specialization in Power Electronics

Tools

PLECS

SPICE

MATLAB/Simulink

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a trailblazer in sustainable mobility and electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, is seeking a highly accomplished Senior Power Electronics Engineer to join their pioneering, fully remote R&D team. This role is central to the development of next-generation EV charging solutions, demanding deep expertise in high-power conversion, control systems, and thermal management. You will architect, design, and validate cutting-edge power electronics hardware that will define the future of electric transportation. Operating within a fully remote-first framework, you will collaborate with a world-class team of engineers and researchers, driving innovation from your dedicated home office. If you are passionate about clean energy, electric vehicles, and pushing the boundaries of power electronics technology, this is the role for you.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of high-efficiency, high-reliability power electronic converters for EV charging applications (e.g., onboard chargers, DC fast chargers).
• Architect power converter topologies, select key components (MOSFETs, IGBTs, SiC, GaN devices), and design gate drive circuits and control loops.
• Develop detailed schematics, PCB layouts (in collaboration with PCB designers), and perform worst-case circuit analyses.
• Design and implement control algorithms for power factor correction, voltage/current regulation, and grid synchronization.
• Oversee the testing, characterization, and validation of power electronic prototypes, including efficiency, thermal performance, and EMI/EMC compliance.
• Collaborate with firmware engineers to develop and debug embedded control software.
• Conduct thermal analysis and design cooling solutions for power electronic systems.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to the technical roadmap for power electronics within the company.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in power semiconductor devices, converter topologies, and control strategies.
• Troubleshoot complex technical issues and provide innovative solutions.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering with a specialization in Power Electronics.
• Minimum of 8 years of hands‑on experience in the design and development of high‑power converters (kW to MW range).
• Deep understanding of power semiconductor devices (Si, SiC, GaN), their applications, and limitations.
• Proficiency in simulation tools such as PLECS, SPICE, MATLAB/Simulink.
• Experience with control systems design for power converters.
• Familiarity with embedded C programming for microcontrollers/DSPs is a strong asset.
• Experience with testing equipment (oscilloscopes, power analyzers, thermal cameras) and methodologies.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and documentation skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, essential for remote collaboration.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and lead complex technical projects in a remote setting.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and equity options.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous paid time off and flexible remote work arrangements.
• Significant opportunities for technical leadership and innovation.
• Support for professional development, including conferences and training.
• Contribution to impactful projects in the rapidly growing EV sector.
• State-of-the-art remote development tools and resources.
• Retirement savings plan with employer matching.