Power Electronics Engineer

Company Description

We at Volocopter are pioneers in the development of electrical air taxis that take off and land vertically (eVTOLs). We are bringing urban air mobility to life by introducing our air taxis and drones as an electric addition to current transportation options in megacities worldwide. Our aim is to offer affordable on-demand air taxi services and save people time by flying them safely to their destination. In 2011, we performed the first-ever crewed flight of a purely electrical multicopter and have since showcased numerous public flights with our full-scale Volocopters ().

Job Description

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Power Electronics Engineer to join our team. As a Power Electronics Engineer, you will play a crucial role in the development of advanced electric motor systems for safety-critical applications. Working closely with our supplier, you will focus on motor inverters, power supplies, motor controls, and sensors, ensuring their reliability and efficiency for optimal motor performance. 

Your mission during this flight:  

Collaborate closely with our supplier to develop and optimize power electronics systems for electric motor applications, including motor inverters, power supplies, motor controls, and associated sensors.  Design, develop, and test power electronics circuits and control algorithms, ensuring their performance, efficiency, and compliance with safety requirements.  Conduct detailed analysis and simulations to assess the behavior, efficiency, and thermal characteristics of power electronics systems under various operating conditions.  Collaborate with the supplier's engineering team to define and refine the requirements, specifications, and interfaces for power electronics systems.  Perform thorough validation and verification activities, including hardware testing, performance characterization, and troubleshooting.  Drive continuous improvement efforts in power electronics design methodologies, simulation techniques, and validation procedures.  Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to integrate power electronics systems into the overall electric motor architecture, ensuring seamless operation and reliability.  Stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in power electronics technology, industry standards, and best practices, applying them to enhance our electric motor systems. 

Qualifications

Check in your professional skills:

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field. Advanced degree preferred.  Strong background and practical experience in power electronics design, development, and testing for electric motor applications.  Proficiency in designing motor inverters, power supplies, and motor control systems, considering safety-critical requirements.  Experience with simulation tools (such as MATLAB/Simulink, PLECS, or PSIM) for power electronics circuit analysis and control algorithm development.  Familiarity with sensor technologies used in electric motor systems, such as position sensors, temperature sensors, and current sensors.  Solid understanding of thermal management principles and considerations for power electronics in electric motor systems.  Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to analyze complex electrical and electronic systems.  Excellent team player with effective communication skills and the ability to collaborate with both internal and external engineering teams.  Fluent in English. 

Preferred Skills: 

Knowledge of electric motor design principles, including electromagnetic theory and motor control techniques.  Familiarity with safety standards and regulations for electric motor systems, such as ISO 26262, CS-E, DO-254 and DO-178.  Experience with aerospace- or automotive-grade hardware development processes, including DFMEA and DVP&R.  Proficiency in hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing and system integration for power electronics and motor systems.  Understanding of digital communication protocols used in electric motor systems, such as CAN or Ethernet. 

Additional Information

Our Volocopter flight includes:

Fast-growing high-tech company with a supreme network of investors and partners  Ability to contribute directly to the future of aviation The chance to build up new things/projects from scratch  Personal accountability, growth and learning opportunities, based on your personal strengths An inspiring working environment with modern workspaces, flexible work time, short lines of communication, flat structures, positive leadership, great team spirit Attractive salary package

Our differences make us stronger.  At Volocopter, we value equal opportunity, trust, and the voice of each of our employees. As change-makers in air mobility, we believe that changing the world starts within each of our teams. We are committed to driving innovation by celebrating diversity and fostering an inclusive culture where everyone is treated equally and respectfully, regardless of our different backgrounds and roles in the company.

---