Lead Engineer - Testing, Validation and Certification of Power Converter Systems

Lead - Testing , Validation & Certification

Lead – Test Engineering, Automation, Validation & Certification (Power Converters – up to MW range)

Role Summary

This role owns the complete V&V + certification lifecycle of high-power converter systems—from early validation strategy to final regulatory approvals across global markets (India, EU, US).

You will be accountable not just for testing, but for ensuring products are certifiable, compliant, and grid-ready.

Key Responsibilities

1. Test Strategy & Validation Architecture

• Define end-to-end V&V strategy aligned with certification requirements
• Develop Design Verification Plan (DVP) & Product Validation Plan (PVP)
• Ensure traceability from requirements → test cases → certification clauses

2. Test Infrastructure Development

• Build and manage:
  • MW-scale test benches
  • Grid simulators & regenerative load setups
  • Battery emulators for PCS validation
• Ensure infrastructure supports pre-compliance + certification testing

3. Test Automation & HIL

• Lead automation architecture:
  • Python / LabVIEW / TestStand frameworks
• Develop HIL-based certification scenarios:
  • Grid fault simulations
  • Dynamic grid behavior

4. Functional & Performance Validation

• Validate:
  • Grid synchronization, PLL, power control
  • LVRT / HVRT / anti-islanding
  • Protection mechanisms
• Perform efficiency, thermal, and dynamic response validation

5. Certification & Regulatory Compliance (NEW – CRITICAL SECTION)

Certification Ownership

• Own complete certification lifecycle:
  • Pre-compliance → certification testing → final approval
• Act as single point of contact for certification bodies and agencies

Standards & Compliance Scope

• Lead compliance for:
  • Safety standards: IEC 62109, UL 1741
  • Grid interconnection: IEEE 1547, IEC 61727, IEC 62116
  • EMC/EMI: IEC 61000 series
  • Efficiency & performance: IEC 61683, EN 50530
• Ensure compliance with:
  • Regional grid codes (India, Europe, North America)

Certification Planning & Execution

• Translate standards into:
  • Test cases and validation procedures
  • Design requirements (DFx: DFM, DFS, DFT)
• Plan and execute:
  • Pre-compliance testing (in-house)
  • Certification testing (external labs)

External Lab & Agency Management

• Interface with:
  • NABL / TÜV / UL-certified labs
  • Regulatory bodies and utilities
• Manage:
  • Test scheduling, documentation, issue closure
  • Certification timelines and cost optimization

Documentation & Technical Files

• Prepare and review:
  • Technical Construction File (TCF)
  • Test reports, compliance reports
  • Risk analysis (FMEA, hazard analysis)
• Ensure audit readiness

Gap Analysis & Risk Mitigation

• Conduct:
  • Standard compliance gap analysis early in design
• Drive:
  • Design changes to ensure first-pass certification success

Grid Code Validation (Critical for MW Systems)

• Validate compliance with:
  • LVRT/HVRT curves
  • Reactive power support
  • Frequency ride-through
• Coordinate with utilities for grid compliance testing

6. Reliability & Environmental Testing

• Execute:
  • HALT / HASS
  • Thermal cycling, vibration, humidity
• Support certification-related environmental requirements

7. Cross-functional Leadership

• Work closely with:
  • Design, Controls, Firmware teams
• Influence design for:
  • Testability
  • Certifiability (this is key at senior level)

8. Data Analytics & Reporting

• Automate:
  • Certification reports
  • Validation dashboards
• Track:
  • Certification readiness metrics

Required Qualifications

Education

• B.E./B.Tech / M.Tech in Electrical / Power Electronics

Experience

• 10–15+ years in:
  • Power electronics validation
  • Certification of grid-connected systems
• Proven experience with MW-scale converters / PCS / inverters

Technical Skills

Certification Expertise 

Hands-on experience with:

• IEC / UL / IEEE standards
• Grid compliance testing
• Experience in:
  • Taking products through full certification cycles

Power Electronics

• Inverters, rectifiers, DC-DC converters
• Topologies:
  • NPC, Vienna, T-type, LLC, DAB

Test & Measurement

• Power analyzers, oscilloscopes, EMI receivers
• High-voltage/high-power testing

Automation & HIL

• Python, LabVIEW, MATLAB
• dSPACE / OPAL-RT / Typhoon HIL

Leadership & Behavioural Skills

• Strong ownership of certification deliverables
• Ability to challenge design for compliance readiness
• Stakeholder management (labs, auditors, internal teams)

Key KPIs 

First-pass certification success rate

• Certification cycle time
• Number of certification failures/retests
• Validation coverage
• Field compliance issues

Preferred Experience

• Solar central inverters / PCS / BESS (1500V systems)
• EV fast charging systems
• Global certification exposure (multi-region product launches)

Nice-to-Have

• Experience working with:
  • TÜV / UL / Intertek / CSA labs
• Knowledge of:
  • Cybersecurity standards for grid-connected systems (IEC 62443)