SST Systems Architect, Technical Lead

Fluidstack

$160K — $190K *
Energy & Utilities
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 15+ years in power conversion industry, with leadership experience in SST or MV converter programs from major players like ABB/Hitachi or GE.
  • Proven ability to select converter topology and semiconductor strategies at MW scale with strong justifications.
  • Experience leading teams through the complete development cycle from concept to functional hardware.
  • Deep understanding of SiC ecosystem and capabilities to strategize for scarcity of 10kV devices.
  • Experience in managing project setbacks and utilizing lessons learned for future success.
  • Ability to create and defend detailed program plans and roadmaps for engineering teams.
  • Bonus skills include medium-frequency transformer design, MVDC integration experience, existing vendor partnerships, and knowledge of certification processes for MV power.

Responsibilities

  • Architect the SST comprehensively, including selecting the topology and semiconductor strategy with a focus on efficiency and manufacturability.
  • Lead and coordinate engineers in power electronics, magnetics, and controls to ensure timely prototype development.
  • Define system boundaries and interfaces between SST and MVDC systems clearly to facilitate aligned design efforts.
  • Create a detailed program plan and prototype roadmap, weighing in on partnership versus in-house development choices honestly.
  • Establish partnerships with device manufacturers, research labs, and universities for critical development resources and expertise.

Benefits

  • Access to cutting-edge technology and the opportunity to work on pioneering projects in AI data centers.
  • Collaboration with leading experts in power engineering and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Support for continuing education and research partnerships to enhance knowledge and expertise.
Full Job Description
Product Engineering builds the power and cooling systems that let Fluidstack deliver gigawatt-scale AI data centers faster and denser than the grid-standard supply chain allows. The SST group is designing solid-state transformers as a core building block of that power architecture.

Examples of key problems the team is working on:
  • Architect a medium-voltage solid-state transformer that can be manufactured, serviced, and scaled across gigawatt-scale campuses, not just demonstrated in a lab.
  • Define the interface between the SST and the MVDC distribution system, including protection, control boundaries, and fault behavior.
  • Build a semiconductor and magnetics supply strategy that survives a thin 10kV SiC market over a multi-year horizon.
  • Take converter hardware from topology selection through working prototypes on a schedule that data center construction actually depends on.
Role Scope
  • Architect the SST end to end, selecting the topology (ISOP DAB stacks, MMC-based, or another approach) and semiconductor strategy, with every choice defended on efficiency, redundancy, manufacturability, and device availability.
  • Lead the power electronics, magnetics, and controls engineers from architecture to working hardware, owning the technical decisions that get prototypes built rather than debated.
  • Own the system trade-offs and the interface with the MVDC systems team, writing down exactly where the SST stops and the system begins, precisely enough that both teams can design against it.
  • Build the program plan and prototype roadmap, and make the build-vs-partner recommendation honestly, including the case where partnering is the right answer.
  • Develop vendor and research partnerships across device makers, labs, and universities that secure the devices, test capacity, and expertise the program needs.
What We're Looking For

The below is a starting point. We always make space for exceptional people, so if you don't fit this role exactly, tell us where you would.
  • You have 15+ years in power conversion and have led an SST or MV converter program at the level of ABB/Hitachi Energy research, GE, Delta, EPRI, or a FREEDM/ETH/Aachen lineage lab.
  • You've owned converter topology selection, semiconductor strategy, and system trade-offs at MW scale, and can defend the choices you made.
  • You've led converter development teams from architecture through working hardware, not just papers or simulations.
  • You know the SiC ecosystem well enough to write a five-year semiconductor strategy in a market where 10kV devices barely exist.
  • You've lived through a program that died or nearly died, and you know exactly why, and what you'd do differently.
  • You can write a 12-month program plan for 8 engineers and defend it line by line.
  • Bonus: medium-frequency transformer design depth, MVDC system integration experience, established vendor and university research relationships, or certification exposure for MV power conversion.


We are committed to pay equity and transparency.

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