A power electronics engineers are responsible for designing and developing of electronic devices that convert and control electric power. These devices are used in a variety of applications, including solar and wind energy systems, electric vehicles, and power plants.
A power electronics engineer is responsible for:
- the design and development of electronic devices (such as semiconductor devices, batteries, DC-to-DC converters, DC-to-AC inverters, AC-to-DC rectifiers motor controllers, and power supplies) and circuits that are used to convert and control electric power
- working with a variety of electronic components and devices, including semiconductors, optoelectronics, power supplies, and batteries
- working in teams with other engineers to develop new products or to improve existing ones
- testing, evaluating and troubleshooting electronic circuits and devices (this includes both bench and field testing)
- manufacturing electronic devices and overseeing the production process
Education and skills requirements:
- The minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical or Electronics Engineering (four-year degree). Afterward, a master’s degree in power electronics or a related field is recommended
- Experience working with oscilloscopes and multimeters
- Experience with designing, developing, and testing power electronic products
- A strong understanding of electrical principles
- Ability to apply these concepts to real-world problems
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work well in a team environment
- Ability to take direction from senior engineers