Lab Manager- Power Electronics at LayerZero… · Raleigh

Description

Lab Manager – Power Electronics

About Us:

LayerZero Power Systems LLC. is a globally recognized leader in providing state-of-the-art power distribution solutions for critical industries. With a strong focus on reliability, innovation, and customer satisfaction, we deliver advanced power systems products that ensure uninterrupted and dependable power supply in mission-critical environments. Our customer base is comprised of companies in the data center (our main focus), financial, computer service provision, and semiconductor manufacturing sectors LayerZero Power Systems is on a trajectory of sustained growth, with a loyal customer base of existing Fortune 100 customers and an expanding portfolio of new customers.

Position Summary

The Lab Manager will establish and lead the engineering test laboratory supporting development of a new 50–150 kW, three-phase AC-to-high-voltage DC power converter. This role is responsible for building and managing a team that executes product verification, performance characterization, design validation, reliability testing, and production test development.

Working closely with power electronics, controls, mechanical engineering, and manufacturing teams, the Lab Manager will ensure the laboratory has the people, equipment, procedures, and technical capabilities needed to move the product from early prototypes through qualification and production release. The role combines technical leadership, team management, laboratory operations, and hands-on problem solving when needed.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and lead the test team: Recruit, develop, and manage engineers and technicians responsible for converter testing, troubleshooting, validation, and test automation.
• Establish laboratory capabilities: Define and commission high-power test infrastructure, including AC sources, DC loads, power analyzers, oscilloscopes, high voltage/current instrumentation, thermal measurement, data acquisition, and safety systems.
• Own the verification program: Develop and manage test plans, schedules, requirements traceability, and verification reports covering efficiency, power quality, transient response, thermal performance, operating limits, and fault conditions.
• Lead product validation and troubleshooting: Direct prototype bring-up, test execution, failure analysis, and root-cause investigations in collaboration with design engineering. Ensure findings are documented, communicated, and incorporated into design improvements.
• Validate protection and safe operation: Oversee testing of overcurrent, overvoltage, overtemperature, fault response, shutdown behavior, and other protective functions.
• Manage qualification activities: Coordinate internal testing and external laboratory services for applicable electrical safety, EMC, environmental, and product certification requirements.
• Develop test automation and data systems: Establish repeatable test procedures, automated test sequences, data collection, analysis tools, and reporting methods that improve test coverage and engineering productivity.
• Lead production test development: Work with manufacturing and NPI engineering to define end-of-line test requirements, acceptance criteria, calibration needs, test
• fixtures, and automated test systems suitable for production volumes exceeding 1,000 units annually.
• Manage laboratory safety and operations: Establish high voltage/high-power work practices, risk assessments, equipment maintenance, calibration, lab scheduling, and safe operating procedures.
• Manage execution and resources: Set team priorities, allocate laboratory resources, monitor schedule and budget, communicate risks, and provide regular status updates to engineering leadership.
• Drive continuous improvement: Use test data, failure trends, and lessons learned to improve product robustness, test efficiency, defect detection, and design-for-manufacturability.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or a related engineering discipline, or equivalent practical experience.
• Significant experience in power electronics testing, validation, or engineering laboratory operations.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical teams and coordinate complex test programs.
• Experience testing power converters, inverters, power supplies, or comparable high-power electrical equipment.
• Strong understanding of three-phase AC systems, DC power systems, electrical protection, power quality, thermal performance, and electrical safety.
• Experience with high-voltage/high-current test equipment, precision power analyzers, oscilloscopes, differential probes, current probes, electronic loads, and data acquisition systems.
• Proven ability to establish structured test plans, manage test execution, analyze results, and drive corrective actions.
• Experience with test automation, instrumentation integration, scripting, or automated data analysis.
• Strong organizational, technical communication, and cross-functional leadership skills
• Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Qualification

• Experience with power conversion equipment in the 50 kW and above range.
• Experience with high-voltage DC systems and three-phase AC-to-DC conversion.
• Direct involvement in taking a power electronics product from prototype through design verification, qualification, and production release.
• Experience with EMC, electrical safety certification, environmental testing, FMEA, and product reliability programs.
• Experience developing automated end-of-line test systems and supporting new product introduction.
• Familiarity with laboratory infrastructure design, high-power test safety, and capital equipment planning.

Why Join Us? Our Benefits Make a Difference.

We believe great employees deserve great benefits designed to support health, financial well-being, professional growth, and family needs. Most of our core benefits are provided at no cost, reflecting our commitment to investing in the well-being of our team.

• $0-cost Dental Insurance
• $0-cost Vision Insurance
• $0-cost Short-Term & Long-Term Disability Insurance
• $0-cost Life Insurance with additional buy up options
• Medical Plan Choices, including one no-cost medical option plus two additional buy-up plan options
• $0-cost Employee Assistance Program offering confidential counseling and support services
• Employer Health Savings Account Contributions to help offset health expenses
• Retirement Plan Options with generous employer matching contribution
• Paid Parental Leave to support your growing family

Why You Will Love Working with Us:

• Impact: Develop your skills and expertise in a rapidly growing industry, with your work directly influencing the success of mission-critical projects.
• Innovation: Immerse yourself in an environment that celebrates forward-thinking and continuous improvement.
• Collaborative spirit: Work closely with engineers, marketers, and other professionals to bring ideas to life.
• Grow with us: We are committed to your personal and professional development, offering endless opportunities to improve your skills and advance your career.

At LayerZero, we are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome and celebrate diversity, and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.