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Senior Director of Power Systems Engineering
Software Engineering, Sales & Business Development
Santa Barbara, CA, USA
USD 297k-408k / year
Posted on Jul 15, 2026
Senior Director of Power Systems Engineering
Location: Santa Clara, CA (On-site / Lab-focused)
Role Overview
This hands-on role involves the design, implementation and validation of high-efficiency AC/DC and DC/DC converters for next-generation data center architectures working with a stellar team of systems and applications engineers. This position focuses on delivering high-power density solutions ranging from kilowatt (kW) rack-level systems to hundreds of kW cluster-level architectures. The ideal candidate will blend hardware topology design/architecture with advanced digital control implementation to power cutting-edge AI, GPU, and CPU hardware. This is a senior role with high visibility that involves extensive interaction with management and cross-functional teams, such as Device Engineering, System Applications, and Packaging
Core Responsibilities
- High-Power Design: Architect and build AC/DC front-ends and DC/DC converters handling kilowatt to hundreds of kW power blocks.
- Topology Innovation: Design high-efficiency, high-density topologies (e.g., interleaved PFC, LLC, dual active bridge, phase-shifted full bridge, ISoP converters) to meet the stringent and increasingly challenging specifications for next generation data center power delivery
- Hardware Development: Component selection, thermal-conscious schematic capture, and multi-layer PCB layout optimization. Interaction with applications engineering for debug, simulation and validation of converter specs.
- Custom Magnetics Engineering: Design and model both discrete and planar in-PCB magnetics for high-frequency operation. Partner with magnetics vendors to specify, iterate, and manufacture custom magnetic components.
- Digital Control Implementation: Develop, code, and tune digital control loops for real-time power conversion and telemetry.
- Compliance & Validation: Direct EMI/EMC mitigation strategies and validate systems against grid and safety standards.
Required Qualifications
- Education: Master’s or PhD degree in Electrical Engineering with a power electronics specialization.
- Experience: 5+ years in high-power switch-mode power supply (SMPS) design or grid-tied conversion.
- Semiconductor Expertise: Deep hands-on design experience using SiC (Silicon Carbide) and GaN (Gallium Nitride) wide-bandgap devices, and their corresponding gate-drivers, isolators and sensing circuits.
- Digital Control Platforms: Proven experience programming microcontrollers for power electronics (e.g., TI C2000, STM32, or FPGA).
- Simulation Tools: Expert utilization of PLECS, Simplis, MATLAB/Simulink or LTspice for system-level analysis of the AC/DC and DC/DC converters.
- Advanced Architecture: Knowledge of 48V and 800V/±400V DC bus distribution frameworks common in hyperscale environments.
- Standards: Familiarity with OCP (Open Compute Project) power specifications and 80 Plus Titanium efficiency requirements.
This role may require additional duties and/or assignments as designated by management.
The posted salary range is what Wolfspeed reasonably expects to pay for this position. Actual pay for a hired applicant will be determined based on the individual’s job-relevant qualifications, experience, and other determinative factors. In the event it is determined that a different job level upon hire is warranted then that range will be communicated to the hired applicant as soon as reasonably practicable.
Compensation Range:
$250,000 - $385,000
To put it legally - Wolfspeed is an equal opportunity employer.
We recruit, employ, train, compensate and promote regardless of race, sex, religion, color, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation and other protected status as required by law.
The posted salary range is what Wolfspeed reasonably expects to pay for this position. Actual pay for a hired applicant will be determined based on the individual’s job-relevant qualifications, experience, and other determinative factors. In the event it is determined that a different job level upon hire is warranted then that range will be communicated to the hired applicant as soon as reasonably practicable.
Compensation Range:
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.