Tech Lead - Central Inverter RandD

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

• 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%)
• 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)
• 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
• 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)
• Thermal & Mechanical Integration
• Work with mechanical teams for:
• Heat sink design
• CFD validation
• IP rating (IP54/IP65 outdoor systems)
• Reliability & Safety
• Define:
• Derating strategies
• Lifetime calculations (mission profile-based)
• Conduct:
• FMEA / DFMEA
• HALT / HASS testing
• Ensure functional safety alignment (where applicable)
• Team Leadership
• Lead a cross-functional team:
• Power electronics
• Controls
• Mechanical
• Validation
• Mentor engineers and drive design reviews
• Vendor & Cost Optimization
• Work with vendors for:
• Magnetics, semiconductors, capacitors
• Drive:
• Cost reduction (?/kW)
• Design-to-cost initiatives
  

• B.E./BTech in Electrical / Power Electronics
• MTech / PhD preferred
  
  

• 10+ years in power electronics design
• Strong experience in:
• Central / string inverters OR
• High-power converters (≥100 kW)
  

• 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
  
  

• SiC-based converter design
• Grid-forming inverter concepts
• BESS integration knowledge
• Communication protocols (Modbus, CAN, IEC 61850)
  
  

• Efficiency (%)
• Power density (kW/m³)
• Cost per kW (?/kW)
• Field failure rate (FIT)
• Time-to-market\
  
  

• Strong ownership mindset
• System-level thinking
• Ability to resolve ambiguity
• Stakeholder management
  
  

• Sungrow
• Hitachi Energy
• Delta Electronics
• Tata Power Solar
• Waaree Energies
• Medha Drives
• GE Power Control