Power Electronics Engineer

Ricardo•Van Buren Township, MI

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Ricardo Automotive and Industrial (A&I), a member of WSP, is a global engineering services partner for clean and efficient integrated propulsion and energy systems. With over 100 years of experience in transport & energy innovation, we deliver solutions to complex challenges, enabling customers across global transport & energy sectors to achieve a sustainable zero-carbon future. We provide expertise in delivering leading-edge and innovative cross-sector sustainable products and solutions. The Power Electronics Engineer will utilize state-of-the-art tools to design, develop, and test power electronics products for future electrified systems. This includes AC/DC, DC/DC converters, Chargers, DC/AC inverters, EMI filters, bus bar specifications, and related internal components. The role involves PCBA circuit simulation, schematics, layout, and design review. Collaboration with Systems, Software/Controls, and Mechanical teams is essential for successful product development. The engineer will decompose system-level requirements to drive component-level design requirements and work on a modular, scalable architecture for low-voltage and high-voltage electrified systems. Responsibilities include specification, design, development, testing, and validation of power electronics for global electrified applications, which may involve bespoke designs, upgrades, and applications engineering. The role emphasizes robust technical fundamentals through design, drawing, specification, and code reviews to optimize system performance, quality, DFM/DFA, and cost. Root cause analysis and troubleshooting support (e.g., 8D) are also key. The engineer will review existing designs for adequacy and improvement opportunities, bringing creativity and innovative ideas to complex challenges, and staying updated on global industry standards and trends. Leveraging extensive product development assets, including team members, test labs, and expert capabilities, is expected to deliver best-in-class performance, usability, and quality. Collaboration across North American and Global Ricardo groups, as well as with local and international customers, is required. This is a recognized expertise, lead contributor role, providing guidance and support to others. Other duties as required.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical or Mechanical engineering.
5-6 years’ experience in high-voltage power electronics design, development, and testing – DC/AC Inverters, DCDC Converters, On-Board Chargers, Power Distribution in Automotive, On/Off-Highway, Motorsports, Stationary etc.
Strong communication, client awareness, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to create a project plan that establishes resources (human, capitol, and outsource), effort, duration costs.
Experienced in developing and maintaining supplier relationships.
Highly motivated to succeed, a self-starter who is driven and able to work with others effectively to "get things done".
Extremely high attention to detail in all aspects of task execution.
Experience working with 48V, 400V, and >800V voltage levels and component selections.
Hands-on experience in power electronics hardware development including design, debugging, and validation of: Semiconductor switching waveforms, loss modeling and thermal management, Magnetic components, Protection devices and safety issues, Printed circuit board layout, interconnection, packaging, EMC and EMI, Circuit simulation and computer-aided design tools (CAD), PCB bring-up, bench-test & troubleshooting knowledge.

Nice To Haves

Masters or PhD in relevant field.
Fundamental understanding of switched-mode power conversion as applied to DC and AC circuits and systems.
Knowledgeable in IGBT, Si/SiC, and GaN MOSFET technology and selection.
Working knowledge of IGBT/MOSFET gate drive circuits.
Experience in analog, digital, and mix signal hardware design.
Knowledge of feedback control and stability.
Control expertise and digital implementation for power converters controls.
Experience with schematic capture (Altium preferred) and simulation tools (PLECS) for power electronics.
Experience in PCB layout for power electronics (Altium preferred): minimal stray inductance, EMC/EMI optimization.
Design for Manufacturing, Design for reliability, DFMEA and fault trees.
Background designing for UL and CE safety requirements and EMC.

Responsibilities

Design, develop, and test power electronics products for future electrified systems, including AC/DC, DC/DC converters, Chargers, DC/AC inverters, EMI filters, bus bar specifications, and related internal components.
Perform PCBA circuit simulation, schematics, layout, and design reviews.
Collaborate with Systems, Software/Controls, and Mechanical teams to ensure successful product development.
Decompose system-level requirements to drive component-level design requirements.
Work on a modular and scalable architecture applicable across a range of low-voltage and high-voltage electrified systems.
Specify, design, develop, test, and validate power electronics for global electrified applications.
Conduct root cause analysis and support troubleshooting.
Review existing component and system designs for adequacy and improvement opportunities.
Provide guidance and support to others.
Other duties as required.