Semiconductor Applications Engineer Jobs in Wisconsin

Job Title: Hardware Power Electronics Engineer

Job Description

This role focuses on designing and developing next-generation power electronics solutions for applications such as solar, energy storage, electric vehicle charging, and test systems. The engineer will lead projects from concept through productization, with a strong emphasis on high-frequency power conversion using SiC and GaN devices, robust digital control, and compliance with industry standards. The position offers the opportunity to work in a collaborative, cross-functional environment while driving innovation, manufacturability, and customer satisfaction.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop next-generation power electronics for solar, energy storage, electric vehicle charging, and test applications using Silicon Carbide (SiC) and Gallium Nitride (GaN) MOSFETs.
• Develop high-frequency bidirectional DC-DC converters, AC-DC grid-tie inverters, and resonant converters for medium- to high-power applications.
• Lead the full product development lifecycle from concept, architecture, and design through prototyping, validation, and productization.
• Create and implement innovative digital control algorithms for power converter systems.
• Design and develop advanced magnetics, including high-frequency inductors and transformers.
• Collaborate closely with PCB layout designers to implement high-density, high-voltage power designs with careful consideration of EMI/EMC and thermal performance.
• Work closely with mechanical designers to develop complete product designs, including sheet metal, heat sinks, bus bars, and related mechanical interfaces.
• Achieve UL and CE compliance for power electronic products by defining requirements, supporting testing, and implementing design improvements.
• Lead EMC compliance activities, including planning, testing, troubleshooting, and mitigation of EMI issues.
• Use simulation tools such as MATLAB, Simulink, and SimPower Systems to model, analyze, and optimize power converter topologies and control strategies.
• Support the design and selection of power semiconductor devices, cooling mechanisms, passive components, protection circuits, and sensing circuits.
• Ensure designs incorporate appropriate filtering, circuit protection, thermal management, and EMI/EMC considerations.
• Contribute to and follow a structured product development process, including design reviews, documentation, and verification and validation activities.
• Demonstrate a strong focus on customer satisfaction by understanding application requirements and delivering reliable, high-quality solutions.
• Assist team members in meeting project budgets and schedules, and contribute to effective project planning and execution.
• Foster open communication and collaboration across technical and business functions, including sales, operations, and quality.
• Participate actively in an environment of continuous learning, driving standardization and high-quality design practices with a focus on manufacturability.
• Apply structured problem-solving tools such as root cause analysis, 5-Why, 8D, or Six Sigma methodologies to resolve technical issues.
• Ensure compliance with all safety and work rules and maintain high standards of housekeeping within the engineering and lab environments.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering.
• Minimum 2 years of related experience in power electronics and control systems design.
• Strong experience in power electronics design, including DC-DC and AC-DC conversion.
• Solid understanding of basic physics and electronics fundamentals.
• Strong understanding of high-frequency power stages, filtering, circuit protection, thermal management, and EMI/EMC considerations.
• Proficiency with MATLAB, Simulink, and SimPower Systems for modeling and analysis.
• Hands-on experience with hardware design and power electronics circuits.
• Experience with PCB design concepts and collaboration with PCB layout engineers.
• Familiarity with EMI/EMC principles and practical mitigation techniques.
• Experience with structured product development processes and taking designs from concept to production.
• Excellent oral, written, and listening communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities.
• Ability to work independently, take ownership of tasks, and consistently meet deadlines.
• Strong process orientation and discipline, including demonstrated use of problem-solving tools such as root cause analysis, 5-Why Analysis, 8D, or Six Sigma.
• Demonstrated commitment to customer service, teamwork, and cross-functional collaboration.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Master’s degree in power electronics or a closely related field.
• More than 5 years of industry experience in power converter development as a new product development (NPD) or research and development (R&D) engineer.
• At least 5 years of experience in design, testing, and debugging of DC-DC or three-phase AC-DC converters with voltage ranges from 400 V to 900 V and power levels greater than 2 kW.
• Experience in the design and selection of power semiconductor devices, cooling mechanisms, passive components, protection circuits, and sensing circuits.
• Understanding of PCB layout design requirements for high-voltage and high-density power converters.
• Familiarity with UL1741 standards for power conversion equipment.
• Familiarity with typical safety and EMI standards applicable to power converter systems.
• Experience with EMC requirements and the design of input and output filters.
• Understanding of hardware–mechanical interfaces, including integration with enclosures, heat sinks, and bus bars.
• Understanding of hardware–software interfaces, including digital control implementation and firmware interaction with power stages.
• Knowledge of fundamental analytical equations and design methods for high-frequency inductors and transformers.
• Experience communicating and coordinating with multiple vendors and cross-functional teams.
• Experience working in a power electronics laboratory or test environment, including safe operation of high-voltage and high-power equipment.

Work Environment

The role operates in a collaborative engineering environment that combines office-based design work with laboratory-based hardware development and testing. You will work closely with PCB layout specialists, mechanical engineers, and cross-functional teams in sales, operations, and quality to bring robust power electronics products to market. The position involves frequent use of engineering tools such as MATLAB, Simulink, SimPower Systems, and standard hardware design and test equipment for power electronics. You will participate in structured product development processes, compliance testing for UL, CE, and EMC, and continuous improvement activities focused on manufacturability, reliability, and quality. The work setting emphasizes safety, adherence to established work rules, and maintaining a clean and organized engineering and lab environment.

This is a Permanent position based out of Franksville, WI.

The pay range for this position is $100000.00 - $150000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

full benefits- 401K, health, dental, vacation

This is a fully onsite position in Franksville,WI.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 14, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

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