Principal Power Electronics Engineer

Job Title: Principal Power Electronics Engineer (Contract) Contract Length: 4 Months IR35 Status: Outside IR35 Location: Coventry

The Opportunity We are seeking a highly experienced Principal Power Electronics Engineer to lead the development of advanced power conversion systems for cutting-edge electrification applications. This is a hands-on technical leadership role where you will take ownership of architecture definition, design, and verification of power electronics solutions, including motor drives and control systems. You will work closely with a multi-disciplinary engineering team and external suppliers to deliver high-performance, robust products for demanding applications such as electric vehicles and energy systems.

Key Responsibilities Design & Development Lead the design and development of innovative power electronic systems, including converters, inverters, and motor drives Define system architectures, selecting optimal topologies to balance efficiency, cost, size, and performance Produce detailed electronic designs, including schematics and oversight of PCB layouts Design and specify key components including switching devices, gate drives, magnetics, and filtering systems Perform simulation and analysis to validate system performance and design decisions Control & Performance Define control strategies and system requirements for monitoring and operation Analyse power losses and support thermal management strategies Ensure designs meet performance, safety, and regulatory requirements Testing & Validation Lead commissioning and verification of systems, ensuring compliance with specifications and standards Conduct root cause analysis and resolve technical issues Support prototype builds, system integration, and testing activities Work safely with high-voltage and high-power systems Engineering Governance Deliver engineering activities in line with project timelines, quality standards, and change control processes Support requirements management, FMEA, and functional safety activities at hardware level Produce and maintain high-quality technical documentation Collaboration & Stakeholder Management Work closely with cross-functional teams including software, mechanical, and systems engineering Engage with suppliers and manufacturers to support component selection and product delivery Build and maintain strong relationships with external technology partners

Key Skills & Experience Essential Degree in Electronics Engineering or a related discipline Significant experience (typically 10+ years) in power electronics design and development Proven experience with high-voltage (>400V) and high-power (>10kW) systems Strong expertise in: Power conversion topologies (e.g. DC-DC, inverters, rectifiers) Switching technologies (Si, SiC, GaN) Gate driver design and optimisation Magnetics design (inductors, transformers) Analog and digital interface electronics Experience with schematic design and PCB layout for high-current/high-voltage systems Proficiency with simulation tools such as PLECS, PSIM, or SPICE Hands-on experience with lab testing and safe working practices for high-voltage systems Track record of delivering engineering projects within cost, quality, and time constraints Desirable Experience in industries such as automotive, electrification, aerospace, or energy storage Knowledge of EMC standards and testing Experience with functional safety and hardware compliance standards Understanding of electrical safety regulations and protection systems Experience designing complex multi-layer PCBs Practical skills in soldering, rework, and prototype development

Technical Knowledge Deep understanding of power conversion topologies (e.g. LLC, PSFB, DAB) and their control methods Strong knowledge of semiconductor technologies and their application Expertise in switching behaviour optimisation and loss reduction Understanding of magnetic component design and power loss mechanisms Knowledge of thermal analysis and thermal management techniques