Lead Digital Power Electrical Engineer

Please note that we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position. About Proper Voltage Proper Voltage

is unlocking the next generation of battery technology across robotics, data centers, and defense.

We're building intelligent battery systems that make advanced chemistries (sodium-ion, lithium-titanate, lithium-silicon) work in products that were never designed for them. Humanoid robots can upgrade power systems without redesigning their entire platform. Data centers get safer, cheaper backup power. Drones and autonomous vehicles get higher energy density without lengthy integration cycles.

If you want to work on hard engineering problems that matter this is the place.

Job Overview

We are in search of a Lead Digital Power Electrical Hardware Engineer who is passionate, versatile, and highly motivated to join our nimble team of multi-disciplinary engineers. This role is for a hands-on leader who has broad experience in digital power electronics, including DC-DC conversion, encompassing design, hardware, testing, and manufacturing. This position offers the opportunity to drive innovation, define product roadmaps, and shape product architecture within a collaborative, dynamic environment as part of a rapidly growing startup company.

What You'll Do

- Lead the development and enforcement of Proper Voltage’s internal engineering processes, including validation gates, release criteria, and documentation standards.

- Lead system-level and detailed design efforts for cutting-edge digital DC-DC power converters used across our product range, including industrial applications, robotics, LEVs, utility-scale power systems, and many other battery-powered applications.

- Perform design calculations, component selection, circuit design, schematic capture, and PCB layout and routing for high-performance, mixed-signal power electronics for use in low- and high-voltage applications.

- Document, prototype, test, and debug both evolutionary and novel power converters to continually expand our market reach.

- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop the roadmap for the evolution of our DC-DC converters and related technology.

- Drive continuous improvements in our core system functionalities, including battery management, DC-DC power conversion, and mixed analog/digital design for sensing and control.

- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to transition designs to high-volume production, providing production-ready schematics, PCB layouts, and bills of materials.

- Support programming, calibration, debugging, and quality control processes.

- Lead efforts to optimize power electronics in key metrics such as power density, size, weight, and cost.

- Mentor and manage team members, delegating tasks and overseeing project progress within the electrical engineering department.

- Help grow the power conversion team, eventually managing direct reports.

- Exercise a high degree of autonomy, take ownership, and contribute as a key individual to project milestones and objectives.

- Ability to either work in person at our Carlsbad, CA office or travel there as needed with a demonstrated track record of highly efficient, collaborative remote work.

Required Qualifications

- B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or Electrical Engineering.

- 4+ years of experience with a strong record developing digital power electronics for applications requiring kW+ power levels spanning tens of volts to hundreds of volts.

- Proficiency incircuit design software (SPICE, Altium) with an emphasis on power electronics, DC-DC conversion, and mixed-signal PCB layout; experience with Altium is a plus.

- Proficiency with bench tools (power supplies, loads, multimeters, oscilloscopes) and high-voltage safety principles (isolation, hi-pot testing, certification requirements).

- Analog and digital design experience,including thermal design considerations, power architecture, and grounding, as well as transmission line effects.

- Experience selecting and interfacing with microprocessors, microcontrollers, and/or digital signal processors.

- Strong understanding of EMI test and control methods (MIL-STD-461, FCC, VDE, etc.).

- Established problem-solving and troubleshooting skills, capable of proactive issue resolution.

- Effective communication skills across various levels of the organization.

- Proven ability to multitask and thrive in a fast-paced startup environment, with minimal supervision.

- Eagerness to learn and contribute to the growth of a dynamic company, including process development and continuous improvement.

Preferred Qualifications

- Full product lifecycle management, from concept to high-volume production.

- Experience in DSP, digital control theory, and mixed-signal firmware design for power supply applications, including control loop theory and performance optimization.

- Knowledge of certifications, validations, and compliance standards (UL, CE, RoHS, etc.).

Prior Experience With

- Smart battery management systems for various cell chemistries.

- Implementing various wired and wireless communication protocols.

- Using mixed-signal ASICs, FPGAs, and/or CPLDs.

- Using Python or similar for scripting/data analysis and C/C++ for firmware development.

Compensation & Benefits

- Salary range: $160,000 - $190,000 depending on experience and qualifications.

- Equity options as part of the compensation package.

- Comprehensive healthcare benefits (medical, dental, vision).

- Generous paid time off and paid holidays (PTO) policy.

Ready to work on power systems that matter? Let's talk.