Q
Power Electronics Lead – Integrated Rack Power Platform
Accepting applicationsQuantumScape · San Jose, CA
Full-Time Mid_senior AIGaNSiC
Posted
2d ago
Category
Test
Experience
Mid_senior
Country
United States
Power Electronics Lead – Integrated Rack Power Platform
Location: San Jose, CA (On-site)
Reports To: Head of Engineering, Data Center Power Platform
About the Role
We are building a first-of-its-kind integrated PSU + BBU rack power shelf that collapses the traditional two-shelf architecture (separate power supply and battery backup) into a single, high-density platform powered by solid-state battery technology. This shelf will compete directly with incumbent rack power offerings from Delta, LITEON, and similar vendors, targeting hyperscale AI data center deployments.
As the Power Electronics Lead, you will own the complete power conversion architecture—from AC mains or 48V DC bus input through regulated output rails, including the bidirectional charge/discharge path for the integrated solid-state battery pack. You will serve as the chief engineer for the power stage and the technical decision-maker whose topology choices influence every engineering discipline on the team.
What You'll Do
Architect the end-to-end power conversion topology, including:
AC-DC front end
Intermediate bus
DC-DC output stage
Bidirectional battery converter path
Lead topology trade-off analysis across:
LLC resonant converters
Phase-shifted full bridge (PSFB)
Hybrid converter approaches
In-line versus parallel sidecar battery integration
Design magnetics including planar transformers and coupled inductors.
Select power semiconductors (GaN/SiC FETs and diodes) with thermal derating analysis.
Define and drive efficiency targets (97%+ Titanium-class performance at rack load) and power density goals within a 1OU or 2OU shelf envelope.
Collaborate closely with firmware and embedded engineering on digital control loop implementation including:
Voltage/current mode compensation
Loop bandwidth
Phase margin optimization
Partner with the Battery Systems Engineer to define:
Charge/discharge power path
Voltage operating window
Current limits for solid-state battery cells
Design protection circuitry including:
Overcurrent Protection (OCP)
Overvoltage Protection (OVP)
Overtemperature Protection (OTP)
Short-circuit protection
Define system fault response behavior.
Bring up and validate prototype power stages through:
Hardware bring-up
Thermal characterization
Efficiency optimization
Work closely with PCB layout engineers to ensure:
EMI-conscious layout
Proper creepage and clearance
Power plane integrity
What You Bring
Required Qualifications
10+ years designing multi-kW AC-DC or DC-DC power converters that have shipped in volume.
Deep expertise in at least two converter topologies such as:
LLC
PSFB
DAB
CLLC
Equivalent architectures
Hands-on magnetics design experience including:
Core selection
Winding strategy
Loss modeling
Experience with digital power control using DSP/MCU-based compensation techniques.
Proven track record developing:
Server power supplies
Telecom rectifiers
EV onboard chargers
Comparable high-density power products
Proficiency using simulation tools including:
PLECS
LTspice
Simplis
PSIM
Comfortable providing technical leadership and mentoring a small cross-functional engineering team.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience designing with GaN or SiC wide-bandgap power devices.
Familiarity with 48V and high-voltage DC bus architectures.
Experience with bidirectional power converters, especially integrated battery charging paths.
Knowledge of Open Compute Project (OCP) Open Rack / ORv3 power delivery specifications.
Experience developing battery charging systems including:
CC-CV charging profiles
Temperature-dependent charge rate management
Experience with Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing platforms including:
Typhoon HIL
PLECS RT Box
Why This Role Matters
Your architectural decisions will define the entire product. Whether the battery is integrated inline or connected through a sidecar bus, whether the system utilizes GaN at 48V or silicon at 12V, and whether hold-up transfer occurs in microseconds or requires a brief interruption—every downstream engineering discipline will build upon your decisions.
This is a rare opportunity to design a next-generation rack power platform from a blank sheet using breakthrough solid-state battery technology that fundamentally changes what is possible for AI data center power infrastructure.
Show more Show less
Location: San Jose, CA (On-site)
Reports To: Head of Engineering, Data Center Power Platform
About the Role
We are building a first-of-its-kind integrated PSU + BBU rack power shelf that collapses the traditional two-shelf architecture (separate power supply and battery backup) into a single, high-density platform powered by solid-state battery technology. This shelf will compete directly with incumbent rack power offerings from Delta, LITEON, and similar vendors, targeting hyperscale AI data center deployments.
As the Power Electronics Lead, you will own the complete power conversion architecture—from AC mains or 48V DC bus input through regulated output rails, including the bidirectional charge/discharge path for the integrated solid-state battery pack. You will serve as the chief engineer for the power stage and the technical decision-maker whose topology choices influence every engineering discipline on the team.
What You'll Do
Architect the end-to-end power conversion topology, including:
AC-DC front end
Intermediate bus
DC-DC output stage
Bidirectional battery converter path
Lead topology trade-off analysis across:
LLC resonant converters
Phase-shifted full bridge (PSFB)
Hybrid converter approaches
In-line versus parallel sidecar battery integration
Design magnetics including planar transformers and coupled inductors.
Select power semiconductors (GaN/SiC FETs and diodes) with thermal derating analysis.
Define and drive efficiency targets (97%+ Titanium-class performance at rack load) and power density goals within a 1OU or 2OU shelf envelope.
Collaborate closely with firmware and embedded engineering on digital control loop implementation including:
Voltage/current mode compensation
Loop bandwidth
Phase margin optimization
Partner with the Battery Systems Engineer to define:
Charge/discharge power path
Voltage operating window
Current limits for solid-state battery cells
Design protection circuitry including:
Overcurrent Protection (OCP)
Overvoltage Protection (OVP)
Overtemperature Protection (OTP)
Short-circuit protection
Define system fault response behavior.
Bring up and validate prototype power stages through:
Hardware bring-up
Thermal characterization
Efficiency optimization
Work closely with PCB layout engineers to ensure:
EMI-conscious layout
Proper creepage and clearance
Power plane integrity
What You Bring
Required Qualifications
10+ years designing multi-kW AC-DC or DC-DC power converters that have shipped in volume.
Deep expertise in at least two converter topologies such as:
LLC
PSFB
DAB
CLLC
Equivalent architectures
Hands-on magnetics design experience including:
Core selection
Winding strategy
Loss modeling
Experience with digital power control using DSP/MCU-based compensation techniques.
Proven track record developing:
Server power supplies
Telecom rectifiers
EV onboard chargers
Comparable high-density power products
Proficiency using simulation tools including:
PLECS
LTspice
Simplis
PSIM
Comfortable providing technical leadership and mentoring a small cross-functional engineering team.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience designing with GaN or SiC wide-bandgap power devices.
Familiarity with 48V and high-voltage DC bus architectures.
Experience with bidirectional power converters, especially integrated battery charging paths.
Knowledge of Open Compute Project (OCP) Open Rack / ORv3 power delivery specifications.
Experience developing battery charging systems including:
CC-CV charging profiles
Temperature-dependent charge rate management
Experience with Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing platforms including:
Typhoon HIL
PLECS RT Box
Why This Role Matters
Your architectural decisions will define the entire product. Whether the battery is integrated inline or connected through a sidecar bus, whether the system utilizes GaN at 48V or silicon at 12V, and whether hold-up transfer occurs in microseconds or requires a brief interruption—every downstream engineering discipline will build upon your decisions.
This is a rare opportunity to design a next-generation rack power platform from a blank sheet using breakthrough solid-state battery technology that fundamentally changes what is possible for AI data center power infrastructure.
Show more Show less