Electrical Engineer

About Tempo:

Tempo develops thermochemical energy storage (TCES) systems for energy-intensive industries.
Their platform enables industrial operators to shift energy use over time by sourcing power when it is most cost-effective and enables the electrification of high-temperature industrial heat at a cost advantage to using fossil fuels.
The system stores electricity thermochemically and delivers a continuous stream of combustion-free, high-temperature air at up to 1,200°C.
Tempo is backed by leading climate and energy investors including Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Khosla Ventures, and Prelude Ventures.
For more information visit www.tempoenergy.com

Role Overview

Tempo is seeking a Power Electronics & Controls Engineer to take meaningful ownership of power conversion system development within our engineering team. In this role you will drive hardware design through bring-up and field integration and control development work effectively across engineering disciplines with a high degree of independence and serve as a dependable technical resource for the broader team. This position is well suited for an engineer with a demonstrated track record of delivering power electronics hardware and control systems sound technical judgment and ability to lead project work without close direction in a fast-paced early-stage company environment.

What You'll Do

Circuit & System Design

Design and optimize power conversion circuits — including DC/DC AC/DC and DC/AC topologies — supporting the charging and control of Thermal Battery Modules within the TCES system.
Evaluate design approaches for gate drivers custom magnetics protection circuitry provide well-reasoned recommendations for high-voltage high-temperature harsh-environment applications.
Identify advance cost reduction opportunities across Power Rectifier cabinets collaborating with mechanical thermal manufacturing teams to translate design improvements into practice.

Integration & Bring-Up

Own hardware bring-up integration of power electronics circuits modules including test planning execution resolution of issues through completion.
Lead hardware/software integration of power conversion systems in close collaboration with firmware controls engineers resolving interface issues escalating appropriately when warranted.
Coordinate across thermal mechanical software engineering teams to integrate Power Cabinet into Thermal Array broader TCES system architecture.

Controls & Grid Interface

Validate designs across expected operating envelope including variable generation profiles relevant edge cases recommend design responses when gaps identified.
Utilize Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) simulation tools support control system tuning hardware/firmware co-validation.

Reliability Compliance & Testing

Take ownership regulatory compliance assigned designs ensuring adherence applicable UL CE IEC standards proactively surfacing cross-cutting compliance considerations.
Plan execute EMC testing reliability validation within project scope interpreting results driving appropriate design responses.
Identify resolve power conversion system issues across all stages development — architecture lab validation field deployment — applying sound judgment prioritizing sequencing resolution efforts.

R&D & Scalability

Contribute technical analysis recommendations power electronics scalability efforts including modular pilot plant designs commercial TCES system scale-up Thermal Array configurations.
Support definition power electronics requirements new product development programs synthesizing cross-functional inputs clear well-grounded technical recommendations.
Provide technical guidance design review support junior engineers contributing collaborative growth-oriented team environment needed.

What We're Looking For

Required:

B.S. in Electrical Engineering or related field; M.S. preferred.
4–6 years hands-on power electronics design experience demonstrated ability own deliver hardware projects end-to-end.
Solid working knowledge DC/DC AC/DC DC/AC converter topologies ability evaluate alternatives make informed architectural recommendations.
Proficiency laboratory instrumentation hands-on hardware bring-up including oscilloscopes power analyzers systematic debugging power electronics circuits.
Fundamentals magnetics design switching device selection thermal management.
Strong communication skills ability work independently.

Nice to Have:

Experience high-voltage (>600 V) or high-power (>10 kW) systems.
Familiarity EMC design certification testing.
Experience motor drives industrial power conversion.
Hands-on experience HIL platforms (Typhoon HIL) simulation tools (Simulink LTspice PSIM PLECS).
Prior early-stage/startup experience.

Compensation:

US base salary range: $110000 to $125000 plus equity benefits.

Physical Demands:

Extended sitting/standing desk lab bench work lifting up to 50 lbs hand dexterity assembly/testing visual acuity reading drawings inspecting hardware PPE compliance safety glasses gloves shoes high-temp environments safety awareness lab/shop energized systems machinery occasional travel (<5%) tool/material pickup.

Working Culture at Tempo:

Emphasis clear communication low ego helpfulness intellectual curiosity whole system business awareness cost/timeline/tradeoffs comfort ambiguity accountability outcomes equal opportunity employer committed diversity inclusion participation E-Verify employment contingent background checks.