Tech Specialist - Aircraft Power Electronics in Cambourne

Description

Ultra PCS is looking for a Tech Specialist - Aircraft Power Electronics.

In this role you’ll provide senior technical leadership for the architecture, design, verification, and certification support of safety-critical power electronics systems for high-voltage DC and AC aircraft power distribution and conversion.

Key applications include electrothermal ice protection power controllers (up to 160 k W), HVDC power distribution units, DC-AC motor drives, and power supplies in the 2 k W to 10 k W range.

Drive the adoption of advanced power electronics technologies, including wide-bandgap semiconductors (Si C, Ga N), high-voltage isolation, digital control, and model-based design, ensuring robust, certifiable, and production-ready solutions.

Operate within safety-critical development frameworks aligned to ARP4754A, ARP4761, DO-178C, DO-254, and DO-160, up to DAL A where required.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and solve complex, multi-disciplinary engineering problems, with focus on HVDC/AC conversion, protection, thermal design, EMC, insulation, reliability, and certification risk.
• Lead the power electronics technical strategy and technology roadmap in collaboration with the Technical Authority.
• Provide leadership, supervision, and coordination to engineering teams to deliver work on time, cost, and quality targets.
• Act as a senior technical authority and customer-facing escalation point for HV power systems, ensuring high-quality engineering delivery.
• Sponsor or lead strategically important programmes (e. g., intelligent PDUs, IPS controllers, motor drives, HV demonstrators).
• Maintain awareness of emerging technologies and translate developments (Si C/Ga N devices, sensing, magnetics, thermal management, EMI) into product strategies.
• Define engineering standards, including design rules, derating, HV spacing, protection methods, and EMC practices.
• Lead trade studies across converter topologies, motor control, and protection strategies.
• Support bid activities, including technical input, estimation, and risk identification.
• Mentor engineers across technical, product, and lifecycle domains.
• General Responsibilities
• Investigate equipment failures and recommend solutions.
• Prepare and review engineering estimates, identifying risks and dependencies.
• Produce reports and present technical findings to stakeholders.
• Maintain professional competency and support continuous development.
• Adhere to company values, policies, and procedures.
• Perform off‑site duties as required and support broader business needs.
• Technical (Electronic) Competencies
• Advanced expertise in high-voltage power electronics design, including conversion, control, sensing, protection, and gate drive systems.
• Ability to define requirements and ensure full traceability from safety requirements to verification evidence (including DAL A).
• Strong experience in EMC design and compliance for high-speed switching systems (Si C/Ga N), including emissions, susceptibility, filtering, shielding, and layout.
• Proficiency in simulation and analysis tools (e. g., SPICE, PLECS/PSIM, thermal/electromagnetic modelling, stability analysis, worst-case and reliability analysis).
• Experience with validation and test methods including switching loss, thermal characterisation, insulation testing, HIL, load testing, and qualification.
• Solid understanding of PCB design for high-voltage/high-current systems, including creepage/clearance, parasitics, and manufacturability.
• Component selection expertise across power semiconductors, magnetics, capacitors, sensors, and insulation systems.
• Experience with HV architectures including DC distribution (270–800 VDC), inverters, motor drives, SSPCs, and power supplies.
• Ability to lead technical reviews (PDR, CDR, TRR, qualification, production readiness).
• Manage and support suppliers for key components and subsystems.
• Collaborate effectively across software, mechanical, systems, manufacturing, and test disciplines.
• Contribute to architecture definition for key products (PDUs, converters, inverters, motor drives).
• Provide technical leadership and influence engineering direction within the organisation.

Qualifications

• Degree (typically Master’s) in Electronics Engineering or equivalent experience, with significant relevant industry experience.
• Specialisation in power electronics, motor drives, high-voltage engineering, or aerospace electrical systems preferred.
• Chartered Engineer (or equivalent) desirable.
• Eligible for required security clearances.
• Desirable: postgraduate study or training in power electronics, EMC, high-voltage safety, or safety-critical systems.

Experience

• Substantial experience in a complex engineering environment, particularly in power electronics and safety-critical systems.

Benefits

• Flexible working within core working hours
• 25 days holiday (185hrs) with the option to buy/sell 5 days (37hrs) plus bank holidays
• 4 times annual salary in life assurance
• Flexible benefits package
• Funded health benefits
• Pension Scheme – up to 8% employer contributions
• Supportive and friendly working environment with regular team events
• Nationality Requirements

Candidates must be able to work in the UK without restrictions in accordance with UK National Law and be prepared to successfully undertake an appropriate level of UK National Security Vetting according to UK Government National Security Vetting criteria.

Diverse & Inclusive Employer

Ultra PCS is an equal opportunities employer that values diversity, inclusion, equity and equality.

Underpinned by our values, behaviours, and policies, we want you to feel empowered to be your best and authentic self.

We promote a workplace that welcomes people from all backgrounds and cultures; believing that this will increase our diversity of thinking, and ultimately ensure we continue delivering on our commitments to our customers.

We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status and welcome applications from all candidates.

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