Head of Research and Development - Power Electronics Converters and Battery Energy Storage Systems

Head of R&D — Power Electronics Converters & BESS

Head of R&D — Power Electronics Converters & BESS 

Role Summary

Lead and grow an R&D organization responsible for the end?to?end development of power electronic converters (low?power through MW class) and battery energy storage system (BESS) hardware from cell to module to pack, targeted at utility and grid?scale applications. Own technical strategy, product architecture, validation, regulatory compliance, and transfer to manufacturing while delivering safe, reliable, and cost?competitive solutions that meet grid interconnection and utility requirements.

Core Responsibilities

• Technical Strategy & Roadmap: Define and drive the multi?year R&D roadmap for converters and BESS, balancing innovation (SiC/GaN, advanced topologies) with time?to?market and manufacturability.
• System Architecture & Design Ownership: Lead architecture and detailed design for: 
  • Converters: low?power inverters/chargers and high?power converters up to MW class, including multilevel, modular, and parallelized topologies.
  • BESS: cell selection, module mechanical/thermal design, pack architecture, enclosure, thermal management, and safety systems.
• Power Electronics Hardware & Controls: Oversee power stage design, gate drive, EMI/EMC mitigation, passive components, thermal design, protection schemes, and control firmware for grid?tied operation (voltage/frequency ride?through, reactive power, VAr control).
• Battery Systems & BMS: Define cell qualification, cell balancing strategies, BMS architecture (hardware and software), state?estimation algorithms (SOC, SOH), thermal runaway mitigation, and safety interlocks.
• Standards, Compliance & Grid Integration: Ensure designs meet relevant standards and grid codes (interconnection, anti?islanding, protection coordination, safety and transport standards) and lead certification efforts.
• Validation, Testing & Commissioning: Establish test plans and oversee lab validation, environmental testing, type testing, factory acceptance tests (FAT), site acceptance tests (SAT), and field commissioning for utility projects.
• Manufacturing Transfer & Cost Optimization: Collaborate with manufacturing, supply chain, and quality to ensure design for manufacturability, supplier qualification, cost targets, and yield improvement.
• Team Leadership & Talent Development: Build and mentor cross?functional R&D teams (power electronics, controls, battery engineering, mechanical, test), set objectives, and recruit senior technical talent.
• Project & Stakeholder Management: Manage multiple concurrent projects, budgets, timelines, and stakeholder communications with product management, sales, utilities, and external partners.
• Intellectual Property & Partnerships: Drive IP strategy, patent filings, and technical partnerships with universities, labs, and suppliers.
• Product Realization Process:  Support to create a robust PRP process and ensure the team follows the process