Job Summary
We are seeking a
Senior Application Engineer
with strong
hands-on firmware development experience
for
digitally controlled low-voltage power converters
, combined with practical
power electronics hardware design and validation skills
.
This role is ideal for an engineer who enjoys working across
firmware, hardware, and lab validation
, and who can independently develop, debug, and validate
low-voltage GaN-based power converter solutions
such as
DC-DC regulators, AC-DC front-end converters, and low-voltage motor drive inverters
.
Given the lean team structure, the candidate is expected to
personally own firmware development, hardware bring-up, and lab testing
, from concept through validated reference designs.
Key Responsibilities
Firmware Development & Digital Control
Design, implement, and debug
embedded firmware
for
digital control of low-voltage power converters
.
Develop and tune control algorithms such as:
Digital voltage/current control loops (PID, Type II/III digital compensators)
Current-mode and voltage-mode control
Motor control algorithms (e.g., trapezoidal control, FOC for low-voltage BLDC/PMSM)
Implement real-time firmware features including:
Fault protection (OCP, OVP, OTP)
Soft-start, sequencing, and system state management
Telemetry, sensing, and digital communication (PMBus, UART, SPI, I²C)
Optimize firmware for
fast switching, low latency, and real-time performance
in GaN-based systems.
Power Hardware Design & Hands-On Testing
Design and develop
low-voltage power converter hardware
using
GaN FETs
, including:
Non-isolated and isolated DC-DC converters
AC-DC auxiliary or front-end supplies
Low-voltage motor drive inverters
Perform
hands-on hardware bring-up
, debugging, and validation in the lab.
Execute measurements related to:
Switching behavior, efficiency, and losses
Gate drive performance and dead-time optimization
Thermal performance and power density
EMI/EMC pre-compliance testing
Actively iterate hardware designs based on lab results and firmware interaction.
Hardware–Firmware Integration
Validate and optimize
closed-loop system performance
of digitally controlled power converters.
Debug complex issues spanning:
Control-loop instability
Noise coupling between power stage and control electronics
Timing interactions between firmware and power hardware
Ensure robust interaction between GaN power stages, gate drivers, sensing circuits, and control firmware.
Reference Design & Evaluation Platform Development
Develop
evaluation boards and reference designs
highlighting low-voltage GaN solutions.
Deliver complete solutions including:
Schematics and layouts
Embedded firmware
Test results and performance reports
Support internal and external design enablement using these platforms.
Customer & Field Support
Provide
deep technical support
to customers designing low-voltage GaN-based power systems.
Assist customers with:
Firmware adaptation and tuning
Hardware debugging and system optimization
Participate in design reviews, customer discussions, and technical workshops.
Technical Documentation & Knowledge Sharing
Create high-quality
application notes, design guides, and firmware documentation
.
Document best practices for
digital control of low-voltage GaN power converters
.
Contribute to internal knowledge sharing and training.
Education
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field
Experience
5+ years
of experience in:
Embedded firmware development for power electronics
and
Hands-on power converter hardware design and validation
Proven experience personally owning
firmware + hardware + lab testing
.
Technical Skills
Strong understanding of
low-voltage power electronics
, including:
DC-DC topologies (buck, boost, buck-boost, resonant)
Motor drive inverters for low-voltage systems
Solid grasp of
digital control theory
applied to power converters.
Embedded C/C++ programming for real-time systems.
Experience with microcontrollers or DSPs commonly used in digital power and motor control.
Proficient with lab equipment: oscilloscopes, power analyzers, current probes, signal generators.
Schematic capture and PCB design experience (Altium or equivalent).
Additional Hardware Design Capability
Hands-on experience creating
power electronics schematics
and reviewing component selection for low-voltage GaN-based converters.
Practical experience with
PCB design and layout
for high‑speed, low‑voltage GaN power stages, including:
Gate drive and power loop optimization
Current sensing and feedback routing
Noise mitigation and grounding best practices
Comfortable performing
PCB bring-up, rework, and debug
, including probing fast-switching GaN nodes and resolving layout-related issues.
Preferred Qualifications
Direct experience with
low-voltage GaN-based power converters
.
Experience with high-frequency switching optimization and layout-sensitive designs.
Familiarity with simulation tools (PLECS, MATLAB/Simulink) for control and power-stage modeling.
Experience supporting customers or field applications.
Soft Skills
Comfortable working in a
small, hands-on engineering team
.
Strong debugging mindset and system-level thinking.
Clear communication skills for customer-facing and internal collaboration.
Ability to independently drive projects from concept to validated solution.
Renesas is an embedded semiconductor solution provider driven by its Purpose ‘
To Make Our Lives Easier
.’ As the industry’s leading expert in embedded processing with unmatched quality and system-level know-how, we have evolved to provide scalable and comprehensive semiconductor solutions for automotive, industrial, infrastructure, and IoT industries based on the broadest product portfolio, including High Performance Computing, Embedded Processing, Analog & Connectivity, and Power.
With a diverse team of over 21,000 professionals in more than 30 countries, we continue to expand our boundaries to offer enhanced user experiences through digitalization and usher into a new era of innovation. We design and develop sustainable, power-efficient solutions today that help people and communities thrive tomorrow, ‘
To Make Our Lives Easier
.’
At Renesas, you can:
Launch and advance your career
in technical and business roles across four Product Groups and various corporate functions. You will have the opportunities to explore our hardware and software capabilities and try new things.
Make a real impact
by developing innovative products and solutions to meet our global customers' evolving needs and help make people’s lives easier, safe and secure.
Maximize your performance and wellbeing
in our flexible and inclusive work environment. Our people-first culture and global support system, including the remote work option and Employee Resource Groups, will help you excel from the first day.
Are you ready to own your success and make your mark?
Join Renesas. Let’s
Shape the Future
together.
Renesas Electronics is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, committed to supporting diversity and fostering a work environment free of discrimination on the basis of sex, race, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, military status, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. For more information, please read our
Diversity & Inclusion Statement
.
