Senior/Staff Hardware Applications Engineer
Owns application-specific testing of Heron Power's solid state transformer across AI data center, utility-scale BESS, and PV use cases — bringing up hardware in the lab and pilot sites, writing Python test automation to drive power converters and instruments, and debugging performance (MPPT, EMS/BMS comms, protection). Core stack: power electronics, batteries, Python, CAN/Modbus, lab instrumentati
- Compensation
- $130K–$160K / yr
- Location
- Scotts Valley
- Work setup
- Onsite
- Seniority
- Staff
- Employment
- Not specified
- Experience
- 5+ years
- Category
- Hardware
- Posted
Skills
Must have
- 5+ years hands-on experience in power electronics, energy storage, EV, grid, or comparable hardware-intensive environment
- Strong grasp of DC circuit fundamentals: resonances, parasitics, slew rates, inductive spikes; correlate test data with simulation results
- Strong scripting and test-automation skills to drive instruments and power converters and to log and analyze data
- Working knowledge of power conversion and battery systems: inverters/converters, BMS, DC pre-charge, contactors and protection, thermal and cooling loops
- Comfort with lab instrumentation (oscilloscopes, power analyzers, DAQ systems) and comms protocols such as CAN and Modbus TCP
- Scrappy mindset: gets things done despite hurdles
Nice to have
- Experience with solid state transformers or grid-forming inverters
- Familiarity with utility-scale BESS commissioning, grid-support functions, or EMS integration
- Prior experience in systems-level testing of power electronics or energy storage products
- Hands-on experience with circuit and system simulation tools such as LTspice, Simscape, or PLECS
Full description
What to Expect
Heron Power is a startup company building cutting-edge power electronics for the 21st-century grid. We aim to debottleneck the growth of electricity generation and consumption with scalable, innovative, and less costly hardware solutions, accelerating the electrification of everything.
Our first focus goal is to build better converters (inverters & rectifiers) to connect large-scale renewables, storage, and loads to the grid. Heron Power’s leadership team is made up of seasoned veterans who have designed and shipped gigawatts of power conversion products over the past decade.
We understand that no one individual knows everything. We will all learn a lot together and from each other. We strive to build a collaborative, enriching environment conducive to personal, technical, and career growth. You can expect to work in a dynamic and collaborative environment, driven by first principles engineering, solving difficult problems.
Job Overview
The Hardware Applications Engineer will own application-specific testing of Heron's solid state transformer (SST) across its core use cases: powering AI data centers, utility-scale BESS, and PV plants. That means bringing up hardware in the lab and at pilot sites, writing scripts to drive test equipment and power converters, and debugging performance against what each application demands, from MPPT performance and PPC/EMS/BMS communication to AI load smoothing and DC protection coordination. You will work hand in hand with the Systems Integration team: they own the SST platform; you own the applications.
How You Will Contribute
- Own end-to-end application testing of a novel high C-rate battery pack (SuperBBU) with Heron's SST, validating ripple mitigation, backup capability, slew rates, and power-loss profiles.
- Support SST and utility-scale BESS integration testing at pilot sites, covering EMS-to-SST communication, black start and grid-forming coordination, charge/discharge cycling, and round-trip efficiency.
- Support integration testing of the SST with commercial off-the-shelf DAS, SCADA and EMS systems.
- Own Heron's first pilot deployments: review field performance, identify feature gaps, and work with SW/FW teams to turn findings into product improvements.
- Write and maintain Python-based test automation to command power converters, sequence tests, log data, and turn manual procedures into repeatable automated loops.
- Safely operate power converters, chillers, contactors, and protection hardware, and set up cabling, instrumentation, and data acquisition for high-power test runs.
What You Will Bring
We have a short list of must-have requirements. We prioritize a strong grip on first principles, hands-on skills, and a sense of initiative. Domain-specific knowledge and experience will help determine the career level for each hire.