The Role
Designs, develops, simulates, prototypes, and optimizes high-power multilevel converter systems for renewable energy, grid infrastructure, and high-voltage applications. Responsibilities include selecting power semiconductors, thermal and electromagnetic analysis, hardware integration, troubleshooting, compliance with IEEE/IEC/UL standards, root cause analysis, documentation, and component obsolescence management. Collaborates with multidisciplinary engineering teams, supports audits, leads prototyping activities, and mentors junior engineers.
Summary Generated by Built In
Job Summary:
The Power Electronics Engineer will play a pivotal role in the design, development, and optimization of advanced power conversion systems, focusing on multilevel converter technologies for applications in renewable energy, grid infrastructure, and high-voltage systems. This position requires a seasoned expert to lead technical efforts in topology design, efficiency enhancement, and hardware integration, while collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative solutions that meet stringent performance, reliability, and regulatory standards. The ideal candidate will drive prototyping initiatives, mentor junior engineers, and contribute to the overall success of power electronics projects in a dynamic engineering environment.
Essential Functions:
Minimum Qualifications:
Preferred Qualifications:
The Power Electronics Engineer will play a pivotal role in the design, development, and optimization of advanced power conversion systems, focusing on multilevel converter technologies for applications in renewable energy, grid infrastructure, and high-voltage systems. This position requires a seasoned expert to lead technical efforts in topology design, efficiency enhancement, and hardware integration, while collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative solutions that meet stringent performance, reliability, and regulatory standards. The ideal candidate will drive prototyping initiatives, mentor junior engineers, and contribute to the overall success of power electronics projects in a dynamic engineering environment.
Essential Functions:
- Design and develop converter topologies, including multilevel circuits and selection of switching devices such as IGBTs, SiC MOSFETs, or GaN transistors, ensuring compatibility with high-power applications
- Contribute to prototyping efforts, including hardware assembly, integration of components, and hands-on troubleshooting to validate designs in lab and field environments
- Conduct detailed simulations and modeling using tools like MATLAB/Simulink, LTSpice, or PLECS to predict system performance, thermal behavior, and electromagnetic compatibility
- Collaborate with control systems, mechanical, and test engineers to integrate power electronics into larger systems, addressing challenges like fault protection, cooling, and scalability
- Perform root cause analysis on design issues, implement corrective actions, and ensure compliance with industry standards such as IEEE, IEC, and UL for safety and performance
- Manage component obsolescence issues of existing hardware platforms
- Prepare technical documentation, reports, and presentations for internal stakeholders and external partners
- Support internal audits and enforce adherence to documented policies and procedures to uphold quality of designs
- “Hands on” ability to breadboard and test new designs and troubleshoot production problems
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from an accredited university
- Knowledge of multilevel converter topologies and power conversion systems.
- Proficiency in simulation & design tools (e.g., MATLAB/Simulink, SPICE-based software) and hardware prototyping techniques.
- Solid understanding of thermal management and power loss calculations.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to technical detail
- Effective written and verbal communication skills for customer and internal technical discussions
- Willingness to travel occasionally for customer meetings, site visits, or training (typically <25%)
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master's degree in Electrical Engineering with a specialization in power systems or power electronics
- Five (5) years of professional experience in power electronic design of multilevel converters and high-voltage systems
- Proven expertise in designing multilevel converters (e.g., MMC, CHB) and working with power semiconductors like Si IGBTs or wide-bandgap semiconductors
- Familiarity with advanced control strategies, such as model predictive control or PWM techniques for multilevel converters
- Experience with embedded systems, FPGA/DSP programming, or real-time control implementation
- Experience leading hardware integration and prototyping projects from concept to validation
- Demonstrated ability to optimize designs for efficiency, harmonics reduction, and high-voltage performance
- Knowledge of regulatory compliance and certification processes for high-power equipment
- Proficiency in CAD tools for PCB layout (e.g., Altium Designer) and mechanical integration software
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from an accredited university
- Knowledge of multilevel converter topologies and power conversion systems
- Proficiency with simulation and design tools such as MATLAB/Simulink and SPICE-based software
- Experience with hardware prototyping techniques
- Understanding of thermal management and power loss calculations
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with technical attention to detail
- Effective written and verbal communication skills for customer and internal technical discussions
- Willingness to travel occasionally for customer meetings, site visits, or training
- Master's degree in Electrical Engineering specializing in power systems or power electronics
- Five years of professional experience designing power electronics for multilevel converters and high-voltage systems
- Expertise designing MMC or CHB multilevel converters and working with Si IGBTs or wide-bandgap semiconductors
- Familiarity with model predictive control or PWM techniques for multilevel converters
- Experience with embedded systems, FPGA/DSP programming, or real-time control implementation
- Experience leading hardware integration and prototyping projects from concept through validation
- Ability to optimize designs for efficiency, harmonic reduction, and high-voltage performance
- Knowledge of regulatory compliance and certification processes for high-power equipment
- Proficiency with PCB layout CAD tools such as Altium Designer and mechanical integration software
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The Company
What We Do
Southern States, LLC is the world's largest manufacturer of high-voltage disconnect switches and a provider of essential products and services to electric utilities in the U.S. and Canada. The company specializes in high-voltage switching solutions and grid-resiliency technology designed to transfer bulk power, balance loads, and protect critical power infrastructure assets from damaging overcurrents, supporting the electric power grid for over a century.
