The Role

We are seeking a Principal Electronics Engineer to lead the development of electrical hardware and systems for our all-electric powertrain. We provide next-generation power management electronics and software for heavy electric drive vehicles. Motiv is the only company to have an electric powertrain in vehicles as diverse as school buses and refuse trucks.

As the Principal Electronics Engineer for the core components that power Motiv’s all-electric powertrain, you must take ownership of our hardware from start to finish, including specification, concept, design, prototype, validation, and manufacturing. Projects will include high-voltage DC-DC converters up to 1000 V and 50 kW, AC-DC converters for motor drives and battery charging above 50 kW, and other power electronics and signal-level circuits that expand the boundaries of Motiv’s technology. You will be responsible for maintaining an expertise in the electric vehicle and component technology landscape, understanding how various advancements might fit into Motiv’s system and to ensure Motiv stays at the leading edge of development in the heavy duty electrical vehicles industry.

As a small and growing company, we are critically dependent on our team members’ leadership, enthusiasm, creative problem solving, and self-motivation across a wide range of both technical and non-technical disciplines. Candidates for this role will be expected to provide mentorship, inspiration, and leadership across the technical organization.

Responsibilities

•  Start to finish ownership of component-level hardware, from specification to design, prototype, manufacturing, and field failure analysis.
• This hardware includes but is not limited to: 
  • 50 kVA+ AC-DC battery chargers 
  • 30 kW+ bidirectional DC-DC converters 
  • Signal-level electronics, including gate drivers and PMSM motor controllers
• Developing elegant solutions to complex engineering problems on the circuit, component, and vehicle levels
• Strong advocacy for rigorous engineering practice and thought throughout the organization, including developing processes, reviewing documentation, and presenting your viewpoints to non-technical and technical leaders 
• Evaluating job candidates for technical competence across the engineering domains 
• Mentoring junior engineers and explaining complex technical topics to colleagues across the spectrum of domain expertise 
• Working with vendors and partners (current and potential) to consider new component integration into Motiv’s powertrain 
• Developing next generation ideas and state of art technology in the heavy duty electrical vehicle industry.

Required Experience and Skills

• Advanced degree holders in Electrical engineering or similar studies and MUST HAVE a minimum of 8+ years of relevant experience or equivalent; PhD highly preferred. 
• Deep understanding of electronics to the device physics level 
• Understanding of a diverse array of power electronics converter topologies 
• Practical knowledge of non-idealities in circuit components and assemblies 
• Expertise in component-level circuit debugging with DMM, oscilloscope. 
• Knowledge of feedback control and stability. 
• Demonstrated ability to mentor engineers, including in debugging, design, manufacturability, and other domain knowledge
• Expertise in many of the following areas: 
  • Model development and simulation tools 
  • Circuit analysis 
  • Power electronics and thermal management 
  • EMI and RF 
  • Motor control 
  • DFM, DFT and Reliability Engineering 
  • Test automation 
  • Automotive electronics

Benefits & Perks

• Competitive benefits package including Medical (including 24/7 online access to a physician), HSA, Vision, Dental & 401k 
• We offer a generous PTO policy, Group Universal Life, Voluntary Personal Accident and Voluntary Disability Insurance
• 10 Paid Holidays
• Educational Assistance Employee Program 
• Healthy Work / Life Balance
• Fresh daily snacks 
• Perks at Work - Discounted learning, tickets, electronics, travel, health, restaurants & retail
• Free Online Training & Development
• We are bicycle-friendly, with bicycle storage available to all Foster City employees with a 5 minute walk to the scenic Bay Front

About Motiv

Founded in 2009, and headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, Motiv Power Systems, a leading provider of software and technology to electrify medium duty commercial vehicles, is committed to freeing fleets from their dependence on fossil fuels. Motiv’s EPIC (Electric Powered Intelligent Chassis) are CARB certified, GSA approved, and available for many configurations including step vans, box trucks, work trucks, shuttle buses, school buses, trolleys, and other specialty vehicles. An EPIC offers uncompromised performance and functionality without the pollution, noise, heat, and vibration of gasoline or diesel power.

Motiv is the only Ford eQVM-approved provider of all-electric chassis for commercial trucks and buses and benefits from engineering insights and support from Ford to ensure safety and reliability. With more than 500,000 miles logged among several of the largest fleet operators in the United States, the EPIC family eliminates 100% of vehicle emissions, dramatically reduces operating and maintenance costs, and creates a healthier environment for riders and communities, while also reducing driver fatigue.