Full-Time

Senior Power Electronics Control Engineer

LTA Research

LTA Research

51-200 employees

Manufactures sustainable airships for humanitarian aid

Compensation Overview

$145k - $200k/yr

Sunnyvale, CA, USA

In Person

Bachelor's, Master's, PhD

Category
Electrical Engineering
Required Skills
Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Design
Python
Simulink
Oscilloscope

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Requirements
  • BS degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering
  • Strong understanding of power converters, electric drives, and battery management systems
  • 5+ years of experience in power electronics systems development, with a focus on motor control and power electronics
  • Knowledge of working with different digital signal processors (DSPs) and microcontrollers
  • Experience in modeling and simulation of power electronics and electric machines (MATLAB and MATLAB/Simulink preferred)
  • Experience in PCB design and its simulations tools
  • Proficiency with basic EE tools (Oscilloscopes, Signal Generators, etc.)
  • Start to finish ownership of hardware (design, prototype, and validation)
  • Experience in development of digital and analog interfaces for PC-based systems, especially (LabVIEW, Matlab, Python)
Responsibilities
  • Develop power electronic control algorithms into firmware based on the control method and algorithms that satisfies the flight vehicle requirements
  • Work closely with firmware engineers to implement DSP/Microcontroller-based control algorithms according to the system standards and rules
  • Collaborate closely with hardware and firmware engineers throughout the development cycle (system design, prototyping and validation, system integration, and improvements)
  • Conduct hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing, embedded simulation, and field validation to verify controls performance
  • Document controls architecture, control logic, and regulatory compliance considerations.
  • Develop comprehensive test plans and perform thorough testing to validate firmware functionality, stability, and performance under various conditions
  • Participate in testing of the integrated electrical systems, including bring up process, debugging, and checking the signal integrity, etc.
  • Reading electrical drawings and schematics and help with the integration process
  • Collaborate with software integration teams to bring up core functions and broadcast software level requirements to electrical hardware and systems teams.
Desired Qualifications
  • Master or PhD degree in Electrical engineering is preferred
  • Strong understanding of power electronics principles, including modulation techniques (PWM, SVM), voltage and current control loops, and Park transform
  • Familiarity with ARM Cortex-M, TI C2000, STM32, or similar microcontroller families used in power control
  • Knowledge of environmental, reliability, and safety requirements for aerospace applications and the path to certification
  • Knowledge of basic control theory and its implementation in analog/digital circuits
  • Experience in implementing different automotive and aerospace communication protocols (CAN, RS232, etc)
  • Experience developing real-time control algorithms for inverters, converters, or battery systems.
  • Familiar with EMI/EMC standards and electrical signal integrity

LTA Research focuses on building next-generation airships to support humanitarian efforts and reduce aviation’s carbon footprint. It designs and manufactures airships such as Pathfinder 1, aiming to provide efficient, environmentally friendly transport for disaster relief, cargo, and surveillance. The airships operate via lighter-than-air technology powered by advanced engineering, enabling longer endurance and lower fuel use than traditional aircraft. The company differentiates itself through its historical Akron Airdock heritage, multi-location operations, and emphasis on sustainable aviation for humanitarian, government, and commercial clients. The goal is to offer viable, low-emission air transport solutions that complement existing airlift capabilities and make shipping and response operations more carbon-efficient.

Company Size

51-200

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Mountain View, California

Founded

1929

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Pathfinder 1 flew over San Francisco Bay in May 2025, proving untethered progress.
  • October and November 2025 flights over the Golden Gate expanded public validation.
  • The 2026 certificate renewal authorizes longer, farther tests, accelerating data collection and credibility.

What critics are saying

  • Pathfinder 1 remains a proof-of-concept aircraft, so commercialization stays years from revenue.
  • A missed Pathfinder 3 execution would strand LTA in capital-intensive prototype purgatory.
  • Any FAA incident at Moffett Field would freeze testing and destroy investor confidence.

What makes LTA Research unique

  • Brett Crozier joined as CEO in November 2024, bringing naval aviation operations discipline.
  • Pathfinder 1 received FAA exhibition airworthiness renewal in 2026, enabling expanded Bay Area testing.
  • LTA Research still fields a 406.5-foot rigid airship, unmatched among active U.S. prototypes.

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Benefits

Relocation Assistance

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Parental Leave

Unlimited Paid Time Off

Paid Holidays

401(k) Company Match

Monthly wellness stipend

Monthly cell phone stipend

Yearly education stipend

Mental Health Support

Company Social Events

Company News

LTA Research
Oct 29th, 2024
LTA Research announces new CEO

LTA Research is pleased to announce the appointment of Brett Crozier as its new chief executive officer.

The Sun
Nov 27th, 2023
World's biggest aircraft unveiled with 400ft airship twice size of a Boeing 747 - and there are plans for a BIGGER one

The Pathfinder 1 has been in development since 2016, and LTA Research says it is currently working to develop an even larger aircraft named the Pathfinder 3.