Electrical Design Engineer

Job Description:

This role focuses on designing and testing high-voltage drive inverters to ensure their reliability and performance in advanced electric vehicle applications. You will split your time between electronic and firmware design and hands-on reliability testing in the lab, working with power electronics, high-voltage systems, and cutting-edge inverter technology. The position is ideal for an experienced electrical engineer who enjoys both simulation and practical experimentation and who can mentor others while driving technical excellence.

Responsibilities:

• Design, execute, and analyze reliability tests for drive inverters to validate performance, durability, and safety.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to identify potential reliability issues and develop effective mitigation strategies.

• Utilize electronic design software to model, simulate, and troubleshoot inverter circuits, ensuring robust and efficient designs.

• Lead electronic board design efforts for high-voltage systems, including schematic creation and PCB layout for power electronics applications.

• Develop and refine firmware and software that interface with hardware, with a focus on object-oriented Python programming for test automation and data analysis.

• Perform hands-on lab work with high-voltage systems, including test setup, measurement, and safe operation of power electronics hardware.

• Use test equipment such as oscilloscopes, curve tracers, digital multimeters (DMMs), hipot testers, and source meters to characterize and validate inverter performance.

• Apply reliability testing methodologies and standards to design test plans that reflect real-world operating conditions for EV drive inverters.

• Prepare detailed technical reports summarizing test plans, procedures, data, and findings, and present results and recommendations to engineering stakeholders.

• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers and technicians, supporting their development in power electronics, testing, and firmware.

• Contribute to system integration efforts by ensuring that inverter designs interface correctly and reliably with the broader electric drive system.

• Continuously refine test methods and design approaches based on lessons learned, field data, and emerging industry best practices.

Skills:

• Degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent practical experience in electrical engineering.

• Minimum of 4+ years of experience in inverter design and testing for power electronics applications.

• Strong knowledge of power electronics and semiconductor components, particularly MOSFETs and IGBTs used in drive inverters.

• Proven experience in the design and testing of inverter circuits, including high-voltage power stages and control circuitry.

• Demonstrated expertise in electronic board design for high-voltage systems, including PCB design and layout for power electronics.

• Solid understanding of high-voltage physics and its application to safe and reliable power electronics design.

• Proficiency with electronic design and simulation tools such as Altium and LTspice for schematic capture, PCB layout, and circuit simulation.

• Strong firmware and software development skills for hardware interaction, with specific experience in object-oriented Python programming.

• Ability to use test equipment including oscilloscopes, curve tracers, digital multimeters (DMMs), hipot testers, and source meters for detailed electrical characterization.

• Familiarity with reliability testing methodologies and standards relevant to power electronics and drive inverters.

• Experience working with electric drive systems in the automotive or heavy vehicle industry.

Additional Skills & Qualifications:

• Experience integrating drive inverters into complete electric powertrain systems and resolving interface issues.

• Experience in high-voltage power electronics lab work, including safe handling procedures and best practices.

• Exposure to advanced reliability test design, including accelerated life testing and stress testing for power electronics.

• Ability to interpret complex test data and translate findings into clear design improvements and reliability enhancements.

• Strong communication skills for preparing and presenting detailed technical reports to engineering and project stakeholders.

• Demonstrated ability to mentor and support junior engineers and technicians in a technical lab environment.

• Familiarity with additional electronic design tools and simulation environments beyond Altium and LTspice is beneficial.

Work Environment:

You will work in a technology-driven engineering environment focused on electric vehicle drive inverter development and reliability. The role combines office-based design work with significant time in an electronics lab, where you will interact directly with high-voltage power electronics hardware. You will regularly use tools such as Altium and LTspice for design and simulation, and operate test equipment including oscilloscopes, curve tracers, DMMs, hipot testers, and source meters. The position involves close collaboration with cross-functional engineering teams and hands-on experimentation in a lab setting dedicated to reliability testing and system integration for electric drive systems.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Fremont, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $55.00 - $70.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: - Medical, dental & vision - Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital - 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available - Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) - Short and long-term disability - Health Spending Account (HSA) - Transportation benefits - Employee Assistance Program - Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Fremont,CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 18, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on click.appcast.io for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.