Senior Power Electronics Control Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

LTA Research and Exploration, an aerospace start-up, is seeking a motivated Senior Power Electronics Control Engineer to help build an experimental ‘lighter than air’ flight vehicle. You will work within a dynamic engineering and design team to conceptualize, rapidly prototype, test and implement innovative solutions for the design, fabrication, and assembly of an electric airship. We believe in fast-cycle development and approach to flight hardware development with the motto "build a little, test a little, learn a lot". This unique position allows for hand-on participation through all phases of development, from concept to flight of an experimental flight vehicle in collaboration with firmware and system teams. 

We are seeking an experienced and passionate Senior Power Electronics Control Engineer to help design and implement our control methods onto the electronics/power electronics hardware of our lighter than air flight vehicles. 

Responsibilities

• Develop power electronic control algorithms into firmware based on the control method and algorithms that satisfies the flight vehicle requirements 
• Work closely with firmware engineers to implement DSP/Microcontroller -based control algorithms according to the system standards and rules 
• Collaborate closely with hardware and firmware engineers throughout the development cycle (system design, prototyping and validation, system integration, and improvements)
• Conduct hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing, embedded simulation, and field validation to verify controls performance
• Document controls architecture, control logic, and regulatory compliance considerations.
• Develop comprehensive test plans and perform thorough testing to validate firmware functionality, stability, and performance under various conditions
• Participate in testing of the integrated electrical systems, including bring up process, debugging, and checking the signal integrity, etc. 
• Reading electrical drawings and schematics and help with the integration process
• Collaborate with software integration teams to bring up core functions and broadcast software level requirements to electrical hardware and systems teams.

Qualifications

• BS degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering
• Strong understanding of power converters, electric drives, and battery management systems
• 5+ years of experience in power electronics systems development, with a focus on motor control and power electronics.
• Knowledge of working with different digital signal processors (DSPs) and microcontrollers
• Experience in modeling and simulation of power electronics and electric machines (MATLAB and MATLAB/Simulink preferred) 
• Experience in PCB design and its simulations tools 
• Proficiency with basic EE tools (Oscilloscopes, Signal Generators, etc.)
• Start to finish ownership of hardware (design, prototype, and validation)
• Experience in development of digital and analog interfaces for PC-based systems, especially (Labview, Matlab, Python)

Preferred Qualifications

• Master or PhD degree in Electrical engineering is preferred 
• Strong understanding of power electronics principles, including modulation techniques (PWM, SVM), voltage and current control loops, and Park transform 
• Familiarity with ARM Cortex-M, TI C2000, STM32, or similar microcontroller families used in power control
• Knowledge of environmental, reliability, and safety requirements for aerospace applications and the path to certification
• Knowledge of basic control theory and its implementation in analog/digital circuits
• Experience in implementing different automotive and aerospace communication protocols (CAN, RS232, etc)
• Experience developing real-time control algorithms for inverters, converters, or battery systems.
• Familiar with EMI/EMC standards and electrical signal integrity

What We Offer!

• Relocation assistance
• Excellent medical, dental, and vision insurance through a PPO plan (100% premium paid for individuals, ~70% for dependents)
• Company-paid life, AD&D, long-term disability, and short-term disability insurances
• Parental leave
• Generous PTO + 10 paid holidays
• 401(k) matching up to 6%
• Lunch and snacks provided every day, including accommodations for all dietary restrictions
• Monthly wellness stipend
• Monthly cell phone stipend
• Yearly education stipend to obtain certifications or take classes in your field
• Fun events, swag, and the occasional airship ride
• An opportunity to change the world and work with some of the smartest and the most talented experts from different fields

Compliance Requirements

• Criminal background check clearance
• Drug test clearance wherever applicable

The base salary range for this role is $145,000 - 200,000, which is determined based on experience, geography, and qualifications. The base salary is one component of the total compensation package, which includes a very competitive annual bonus, 401K Match, and other generous benefits. While we believe competitive compensation is a critical aspect of your decision to join us, we do hope you also spend time considering why our mission and culture are right for you.

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LTA Research & Exploration welcomes all candidates to apply including those with limited experience. We understand that candidates with a growth mindset and passion for working on the next chapter in aviation advancement can outweigh experience alone. We celebrate diverse origins and journeys and understand their importance in developing new technology. Rooted in our humanitarian mission, we want to serve the entire globe and have a team that represents those we wish to serve.

Lighter Than Air is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, veteran status or any other discriminatory factors prohibited by law.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.