Senior/Principal Electrical Engineer - Fuel Cell Systems

Senior Electrical Engineer

Status: Exempt (salaried)                                                                 

Department: Fuel Cell Platforms

Position Summary

The Senior Electrical Engineer leads the architecture, development, and industrialization of advanced power conversion systems for next-generation hydrogen fuel cell platforms. This role combines deep technical expertise in high-power electronics with program leadership responsibilities, including stage-gate execution, cross-functional coordination, and design-for-manufacture readiness.

The ideal candidate brings both strong hands-on embedded controls and converter design experience and the ability to drive products from concept through production release in structured product development environments.

This role reports to the Manger of Electrical Engineering – Fuel Cells.

Core Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead architecture, design, and validation of DC/DC converters interfacing with hydrogen fuel cell stacks and balance of plant.
• Select and justify converter topologies (LLC, phase-shift full bridge, interleaved boost, multilevel, etc.).
• Lead architecture, design, and validation of embedded control systems.
• Develop digital control algorithms and implement DSP/MCU/FPGA platforms.
• Drive EMI/EMC mitigation strategy from schematic through layout and validation.
• Drive structured system-level problem-solving efforts (e.g., 8D, DMAIC) to resolve complex technical issues and improve field reliability and customer outcomes.
• Lead new product introductions (NPI) and major platform upgrades, ensuring alignment of scope, schedule, technical readiness levels (TRL), and risk mitigation strategies.
• Use a structured product development process like stage-gate to establish and manage key development milestones (Concept Freeze, Design Freeze, DV/PV, Pilot Build, Production Release) to ensure synchronized hardware and software maturity.
• Lead design verification and validation, DFMEA, reliability testing, and environmental qualification.
• Ensure compliance with applicable hydrogen and fuel cell standards (e.g., ISO, SAE, UL, NFPA) and support regulatory approvals and certification activities.

• Represent Plug Power in a professional manner at all times and in all interactions.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent, Master’s degree preferred.
• 7+ years of experience in power electronics development in regulated or high-reliability industries.
• Familiarity with PCB ECAD tool such as Altium or PADs
• Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional engineering programs through full industrial product development lifecycles from concept through production launch including New Product Introduction (NPI) in regulated industrial or energy markets.
• Proven success managing complex hardware programs with integrated embedded software and controls in a matrix organization, balancing cost, schedule, risk, and technical performance.
• Experience operating within structured product development frameworks (e.g., Stage-Gate), with familiarity in Lean product development, Design for Six Sigma (DFSS), and/or formal program management methodologies (e.g., PMP, Agile for hardware).
• Familiarity with hydrogen and fuel cell codes and standards, including SAE International, ISO, and NFPA 2, and experience supporting regulatory approvals and certification activities.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills, with the ability to present complex technical trade-offs to engineering, operations, executive, and customer audiences.
• Ability to travel up to 10%.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Design high-frequency magnetics optimized for efficiency, power density, and manufacturability.
• Own high-voltage system design (400V–1000V DC), safety strategy, and protection architecture.
• Experience with SMPS design using wide bad gap devices
• Experience with specifying thermal subsystem requirements

Plug Power, Inc. is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

Pay Rate:

$92,300.00 - $138,400.00

We offer a fantastic total rewards package at Plug, and a brief summary is below:
✓Base salary is determined on a number of factors including but not limited to education, experience, skills, and geography. These factors are considered when making an offer of employment.  If you are interested in this position, we’d ask that you apply.
✓The above pay range, may not take into account local geographic pay variations. If there is an applicable geographic differential, a member of the HR team can discuss that with you.
✓Health, Dental & Vision Insurance eligibility starting from the first day of hire
✓401(k) with 5% company match
✓Bonus eligibility
✓Paid time off including vacation, personal and sick time
✓Paid Holidays
✓Wellness Reimbursement Program
✓Potential to apply for Tuition Reimbursement
✓Employee Referral program
✓Employee Assistance Program  
Plug Power Inc. is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.