POSITION SUMMARYWe are seeking a Principal Electronic Engineer to serve as a technical leader in the development of Advanced Energy's next generation power conversion solutions. This individual will drive innovation, system architecture, and complex engineering initiatives across the full product lifecycle, from concept development through production release and sustaining support.
As a recognized technical expert, the Principal Engineer will influence product strategy, lead critical design decisions, and solve highly complex technical challenges within advanced power electronics systems. The role requires close collaboration with customers, global engineering teams, manufacturing, and business leadership to deliver differentiated solutions that meet demanding performance, reliability, and cost objectives.
This position provides an opportunity to shape future technology platforms while mentoring engineers and strengthening the organization's technical capabilities.
RESPONSIBILITIESTechnical Leadership- Serve as a technical authority for the design and development of advanced power conversion systems and related technologies.
- Define system architectures and drive key technical decisions that influence product performance, cost, manufacturability, and reliability.
- Lead complex engineering projects and technology initiatives spanning multiple teams, disciplines, and product lines.
- Provide technical direction during design reviews, root cause investigations, and critical customer escalations.
- Identify and develop innovative solutions to address emerging customer and market requirements.
Product Development- Lead the design and development of high-performance analog, digital, mixed-signal, and power electronic systems.
- Own development activities from concept, requirements definition, and architecture through qualification, production release, and sustaining support.
- Develop and review schematics, simulation models, design documentation, and validation plans.
- Guide PCB layout strategy, power stage design, magnetics optimization, thermal management, and control system implementation.
- Drive Design for Manufacturability (DFM), Design for Reliability (DFR), Design for Testability (DFT), and Design for Serviceability initiatives.
Analysis & Validation- Perform advanced circuit analysis, simulation, modeling, and characterization of complex power systems.
- Lead verification and validation activities to ensure compliance with customer, regulatory, and safety requirements.
- Resolve challenging technical issues associated with performance, reliability, manufacturability, and field operation.
- Utilize data-driven methodologies to drive continuous product and process improvements.
Collaboration & Customer Engagement- Serve as a key technical interface with customers, suppliers, and strategic partners.
- Lead technical discussions regarding product requirements, design trades, risk mitigation, and technology roadmaps.
- Collaborate across global engineering, manufacturing, quality, sourcing, and product management organizations to achieve business objectives.
- Support strategic customer engagements and onsite technical reviews as required.
Mentorship & Organizational Impact- Mentor engineers across multiple experience levels and technical disciplines.
- Establish and promote engineering best practices, standards, and development methodologies.
- Influence the technical direction of the organization through innovation, knowledge sharing, and leadership.
- Contribute to long-term technology strategy and intellectual property development.
WORK ENVIRONMENT- Location: Eden Prairie, Minnesota.
- Combination of office, laboratory, and collaborative engineering environments.
- Hands-on interaction with advanced power electronics and high-voltage systems.
- Frequent collaboration with global engineering teams and customers across multiple time zones.
- Up to 10% domestic and international travel.
- Occasional customer and supplier visits to support product development and strategic programs.
QUALIFICATIONSRequired- Expert-level knowledge of power electronics, electrical engineering, and system-level design.
- Extensive experience designing, analyzing, debugging, and validating complex electronic systems.
- Strong understanding of power conversion topologies, magnetics, control systems, and system integration.
- Proficiency with industry-standard design, simulation, and analysis tools.
- Demonstrated ability to lead large technical initiatives and influence engineering direction.
- Exceptional analytical, troubleshooting, and root cause analysis skills.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to engage both technical and business audiences.
- Proven ability to work effectively across global, cross-functional organizations.
Preferred- Experience with high-voltage and high-power conversion systems.
- Expertise in resonant converters, digital power control, or advanced control algorithms.
- Knowledge of semiconductor equipment, industrial, data center, telecom, or medical power systems.
- Familiarity with IEC, UL, CE, SEMI, and other applicable safety and regulatory standards.
- Experience leading technology roadmaps, platform development, or new product architectures.
- Record of innovation through patents, publications, or significant technical contributions.
EXPERIENCE- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related discipline required.
- Advanced degrees are preferred.
- Minimum 15+ years of relevant industry experience in power electronics, power conversion, or related engineering fields.
- Demonstrated success leading complex technical programs and delivering commercially successful products.
- Proven history of influencing architecture decisions, mentoring engineers, and driving organizational technical excellence.
COMPENSATION: As required by multiple state pay transparency laws, Advanced Energy provides a reasonable range of compensation for each job posting. Actual compensation is influenced by an array of factors including, but not limited to, skill set, level of experience, and specific office location. The range of starting pay for this role is $135,000 to $200,000 per year.
BENEFITS:As part of our total rewards philosophy, we believe in offering and maintaining competitive compensation and benefits programs for our employees to attract and retain a talented, highly engaged workforce. Our compensation programs are focused on equitable, fair pay practices including market-based base pay, an annual pay-for-performance incentive plan, and discounted Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
In addition to our competitive compensation practices, we offer a strong benefits package in each of the countries in which we operate. In the U.S., we offer a rich benefits package that includes:
- Medical - multiple medical plans are available to choose from
- Short and long-term disability and life insurance
- Health savings and flexible spending accounts
- Generous time off policy starting with 3 weeks of paid vacation, 7 days of paid sick time, and 12 paid holidays
- 8 hours of paid volunteer time off
- 8 weeks of paid parental leave for both parents
- Company matched 401(k)
- Tuition reimbursement
- Expanded mental health coverage and employee assistance programs
- Other voluntary benefits include critical illness, accident and hospital indemnity, pet insurance, identity theft, and legal assistance
