Job Description: Technical Lead – Central Inverter Development
Location: India -Bangalore
Experience: 12–15 years
Domain: Power Electronics – Solar / BESS / Grid-tied Systems
Role Summary
Lead the design, development, and industrialization of high-power central inverters (250 kW – multi-MW range) for solar PV and energy storage applications. Own system architecture, drive cross-functional execution, and ensure compliance with grid codes and reliability targets.
Key Responsibilities
1. System Architecture & Design
- Define end-to-end architecture for central inverter systems:
- Topology selection (NPC, ANPC, T-Type, Modular Multilevel)
- Power stage design (IGBT / SiC based)
- Define:
- DC bus structure (1000V / 1500V systems)
- Thermal management strategy (air / liquid cooling)
- Efficiency optimization (>98.5%)
2. Power Electronics Development
- Lead design of:
- DC-AC inverter stage
- LCL filters and EMI/EMC compliance
- Gate driver and protection circuits
- Evaluate semiconductor technologies:
- IGBT vs SiC trade-offs (cost vs efficiency vs switching frequency)
3. Control & Firmware
- Define and guide control algorithms:
- Grid synchronization (PLL)
- Current control loops (dq control)
- MPPT (if integrated)
- Grid support functionalities:
- Reactive power control
- LVRT / HVRT compliance
- Interface with DSP/FPGA teams
4. Grid Compliance & Standards
- Ensure compliance with:
- IEC standards (IEC 62109, IEC 61727, IEC 61000)
- IEEE 1547
- Indian grid codes (CEA regulations)
- Lead certification efforts (CE, UL if export-focused)
5. Thermal & Mechanical Integration
- Work with mechanical teams for:
- Heat sink design
- CFD validation
- IP rating (IP54/IP65 outdoor systems)
6. Reliability & Safety
- Define:
- Derating strategies
- Lifetime calculations (mission profile-based)
- Conduct:
- FMEA / DFMEA
- HALT / HASS testing
- Ensure functional safety alignment (where applicable)
7. Team Leadership
- Lead a cross-functional team:
- Power electronics
- Controls
- Mechanical
- Validation
- Mentor engineers and drive design reviews
8. Vendor & Cost Optimization
- Work with vendors for:
- Magnetics, semiconductors, capacitors
- Drive:
- Cost reduction (?/kW)
- Design-to-cost initiatives
Required Qualifications
Education
- B.E./BTech in Electrical / Power Electronics
- MTech / PhD preferred
Experience
- 10+ years in power electronics design
- Strong experience in:
- Central / string inverters OR
High-power converters (- 100 kW)
Technical Skills
Must-Have
High-power converter design (
- 100 kW to MW scale)
- Topologies: NPC / ANPC / T-type
- Simulation tools: PLECS, MATLAB/Simulink
- Magnetics & filter design
- Thermal design basics
Good-to-Have
- SiC-based converter design
- Grid-forming inverter concepts
- BESS integration knowledge
- Communication protocols (Modbus, CAN, IEC 61850)
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Efficiency (%)
- Power density (kW/m³)
- Cost per kW (?/kW)
- Field failure rate (FIT)
- Time-to-market\
Behavioural Competencies
- Strong ownership mindset
- System-level thinking
- Ability to resolve ambiguity
- Stakeholder management
Typical Companies Hiring for This Role (India)
- Sungrow
- Hitachi Energy
- Delta Electronics
- Tata Power Solar
- Waaree Energies
- Medha Drives
- GE Power Control
