Electrical Engineer

About Tempo Based in San Diego, California, Tempo develops thermochemical energy storage (TCES) systems designed for energy‑intensive industries. The platform enables industrial operators to shift energy use over time by sourcing power when it is most cost‑effective and enables the electrification of high‑temperature industrial heat at a cost advantage to using fossil fuels. By storing electricity thermochemically, the system delivers a continuous stream of combustion‑free, high‑temperature air at up to 1,200°C. Tempo is backed by leading climate and energy investors, including Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Khosla Ventures, and Prelude Ventures. For more information, The Role Tempo is seeking a Power Electronics & Controls Engineer to take meaningful ownership of power conversion system development within our engineering team. In this role, you will drive hardware design, through bring‑up and field integration, and control development work effectively across engineering disciplines with a high degree of independence, and serve as a dependable technical resource for the broader team. This position is well suited for an engineer with a demonstrated track record of delivering power electronics hardware and control systems, sound technical judgment, and the ability to lead project work without close direction in a fast‑paced, early‑stage company environment. What You’ll Do Circuit & System Design Design and optimize power conversion circuits — including DC/DC, AC/DC, and DC/AC topologies — supporting the charging and control of Thermal Battery Modules within the TCES system. Evaluate design approaches for gate drivers, custom magnetics, and protection circuitry, and provide well‑reasoned recommendations for high‑voltage, high‑temperature, and harsh‑environment applications. Identify and advance cost reduction opportunities across the Power and Rectifier cabinets, collaborating with mechanical, thermal, and manufacturing teams to translate design improvements into practice. Integration & Bring‑Up Own hardware bring‑up and integration of power electronics circuits and modules, including test planning, execution, and resolution of issues through to completion. Lead hardware/software integration of power conversion systems in close collaboration with firmware and controls engineers, resolving interface issues and escalating appropriately when warranted. Coordinate across thermal, mechanical, and software engineering teams to integrate the Power Cabinet into the Thermal Array and broader TCES system architecture. Controls & Grid Interface Validate designs across the expected operating envelope, including variable generation profiles and relevant edge cases, and recommend design responses when gaps are identified. Utilize Hardware‑in‑the‑Loop (HIL) simulation tools to support control system tuning and hardware/firmware co‑validation. Reliability, Compliance & Testing Take ownership of regulatory compliance for assigned designs, ensuring adherence to applicable UL, CE, and IEC standards and proactively surfacing cross‑cutting compliance considerations. Plan and execute EMC testing and reliability validation within project scope, interpreting results and driving appropriate design responses. Identify and resolve power conversion system issues across all stages of development — from architecture through lab validation and field deployment — applying sound judgment in prioritizing and sequencing resolution efforts. R&D & Scalability Contribute technical analysis and recommendations to power electronics scalability efforts, including modular pilot plant designs, commercial TCES system scale‑up, and Thermal Array configurations. Support definition of power electronics requirements for new product development programs, synthesizing cross‑functional inputs into clear and well‑grounded technical recommendations. Provide technical guidance and design review support to junior engineers, contributing to a collaborative and growth‑oriented team environment, as needed. What We’re Looking For Required B.S. in Electrical Engineering or related field; M.S. preferred 4–6 years of hands‑on power electronics design experience, with a demonstrated ability to own and deliver hardware projects end‑to‑end Solid working knowledge of DC/DC, AC/DC, and DC/AC converter topologies, with the ability to evaluate alternatives and make informed architectural recommendations Proficiency with laboratory instrumentation and hands‑on hardware bring‑up, including oscilloscopes, power analyzers, and systematic debugging of power electronics circuits Strong fundamentals in magnetics design, switching device selection, and thermal management of power electronics Effective communicator, written and verbal, with the ability to keep cross‑functional teammates aligned, produce clear and maintain work instructions, and surface issues early Demonstrated ability to work independently, exercise sound technical judgment, and manage competing priorities in a dynamic environment Nice to Have Experience with high‑voltage (>600 V) or high‑power (>10 kW) systems in industrial or energy applications Familiarity with EMC design practices and pre‑compliance or formal certification testing Experience with motor drives or industrial power conversion Hands‑on experience with HIL platforms, Typhoon HIL, Simulation proficiency in Simulink, LTspice, PSIM, PLECS, or similar tools Prior experience in an early‑stage or start‑up product development environment Compensation Range Compensation Range The US base salary range for this full‑time position is $110,000 to $125,000 + equity + benefits. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, individual pay is determined by additional factors, including job‑related skills, experience, location, and relevant education or training. Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and do not include equity or benefits. Physical Demands Sitting and standing: Extended periods at a desk performing computer‑based design, simulation, and documentation work, balanced with time at a lab bench or in the shop during hardware build and testing Lifting and carrying: Lift and carry equipment, test fixtures, or hardware assemblies up to 50 lbs.; heavier items handled with mechanical assistance or team lift Hand dexterity: Frequent use of hands for assembly, fabrication, instrumentation hookup, and operation of test and shop equipment Visual acuity: Ability to read engineering drawings, inspect hardware, and identify dimensional and surface quality features during fabrication and testing PPE compliance: Ability to wear and work effectively in required personal protective equipment, including safety glasses, heat‑resistant gloves, safety shoes, and other appropriate gear in high‑temperature lab and shop environments Safety acumen: Demonstrated understanding of lab and shop safety protocols, including hazard recognition and risk mitigation in environments involving high‑temperature equipment, energized systems, and fabrication machinery Travel: Occasional travel (estimated Working at Tempo Tempo is a lean organization working on exciting challenges, and the people who thrive here share a few things in common beyond their technical skills. Clear, direct communication: You professionally say what you mean, lead with empathy, use tact, ask when you’re unsure, and keep the people around you informed without being asked. At a company our size, communication gaps are expensive, and good communicators add to success and efficiency! Low‑ego helpfulness: You’re willing to jump in on work that isn’t strictly yours, whether that’s helping a teammate debug something, lending a hand in the shop, or flagging an issue you noticed outside your lane. No one here succeeds in a silo. Intellectual curiosity: You’re genuinely interested in how things work, not just your piece of it, but the broader system. Tempo sits at the intersection of chemistry, mechanical engineering, power electronics, and software; the more you understand about the whole, the more valuable you become. Business awareness: You understand that your work exists in a business context. You think about cost, timeline, and tradeoffs—not just technical elegance—and you make decisions accordingly. Comfort with ambiguity: Processes here are still being built. You can make progress without a perfect playbook, and you know when to ask for direction versus when to use your judgment and move forward. Accountability: You own your outcomes, including the misses. When something goes sideways, the instinct here is to fix it and learn from it, not to explain why it wasn’t your fault. This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the position and is not an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Tempo reserves the right to modify, add, or remove responsibilities as business needs evolve. Employees may be asked to perform duties outside of those listed above from time to time. Tempo is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply. Tempo participates in E-Verify. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check including employment and education check. #J-18808-Ljbffr