Contract Power Electronics Design Engineer – High Voltage Automotive
The following information aims to provide potential candidates with a better understanding of the requirements for this role.
Status: Outside IR35
Location: Birmingham - Hybrid (UK-based with travel to partner sites)
Duration: 6–12 months (extendable)
Rate: Competitive (dependent on experience)
About the Role
We are seeking a highly experienced Power Electronics Consultant to lead the architecture and design of high-voltage, high-power converter systems for advanced automotive applications. This is a hands-on, technically demanding role requiring deep expertise in HV converter design, PCB development, component optimization, and validation.
Responsibilities
* Lead the architecture design of high-power converters (>5 kV AC, up to 15 kW output)
* Drive the schematic and multi-layer PCB design, ensuring EMI/EMC compliance and thermal management best practices.
* Select and optimize key power electronics components (e.g., IGBTs, MOSFETs, gate drivers, magnetic components) for performance, reliability, and cost.
* Develop test plans, including fault-mode and worst-case scenario testing for hardware validation.
* Coordinate and support off-site testing with research and commercial partners, ensuring data collection and analysis integrity.
Ideal Candidate
* Degree in Physics, Electrical Engineering, or related field with strong analytical and experimental background.
* Proven experience in high-voltage power electronics, especially converter design for >5 kV applications.
* Strong background in schematic and PCB layout tools (e.g., Altium, KiCAD, OrCAD).
* Hands-on experience with prototype testing and validation.
* Excellent project leadership, technical reporting, and communication skills.