Senior Power Electronics Engineer

Why Kea Aerospace?

• Own and design core power electronics systems for a next-generation high-altitude aircraft.

• Be part of a clean-sheet Mk2 aircraft programme - a rare opportunity to architect airborne systems from the ground up.

• Work on groundbreaking technology - the Kea Atmos will be the largest unmanned aircraft built in the Southern Hemisphere.

• High autonomy in a small, dynamic team where your decisions directly shape the aircraft.

• See your designs fly - rapid integration, testing, and real flight feedback.

About Kea Aerospace

We are developing the Kea Atmos - a solar-powered, remotely-piloted stratospheric aircraft designed to fly continuously for months at a time. Operating at around 20km altitude, it will deliver aerial intelligence for maritime surveillance, environmental monitoring, disaster management, and more. We are a mission-driven team based in Christchurch, pushing the limits of what's possible in unmanned aerospace.

What You'll Do

At the heart of our engineering team, you'll own the full power electronics lifecycle on a platform unlike anything else being built in this part of the world - from architecture and topology selection through to board bring-up, verification, and flight-testing support.

• Lead the design and optimisation of advanced DC-DC power conversion systems for high-altitude aircraft operating in harsh stratospheric environments.

• Develop high-efficiency, lightweight, and cost-effective power solutions, supported by detailed efficiency, mass, and cost modelling.

• Work with lithium battery powered systems and solar powered systems.

• Define and execute rigorous electrical power system verification and environmental testing campaigns to ensure performance, reliability, EMI/EMC challenges, and compliance with appliable standards.

• Perform advanced simulation, analysis, and validation of power electronics designs to de-risk development and refine performance.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with design, test, and manufacturing teams to deliver robust, flight-ready hardware.

What We’re Looking For

• 7+ years’ experience in power electronics design, with deep expertise in DC-DC switch-mode power supplies, topology selection, and analogue control (voltage/current mode and compensation design).

• Strong foundation in analogue circuit design, electromagnetics, magnetic component design, and discrete logic.

• Proven ability to define power architectures at a system level, perform power budgeting and trade studies, and translate system requirements into robust designs.

• Extensive experience in modelling, simulation, validation, debugging, and structured power system verification.

• Demonstrated capability designing for harsh environments, including thermal management, EMI/EMC mitigation, packaging, and airworthiness-driven processes.

• Proficiency in schematic capture and PCB layout tools (e.g. Altium), with strong understanding of layout impacts on EMC, thermal performance, and manufacturability.

• Strong leadership capability, with the ability to mentor engineers and contribute to the technical growth of a small, high-performing team.

• Excellent problem-solving, time management, and prioritisation skills, with enthusiasm for working in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

Bonus Skills

• Experience with high-speed digital interfaces (e.g. ADC/DAC, Gigabit Ethernet, USB 3, PCIe, MIPI).

• Familiarity with version control systems (e.g. Git) and structured engineering change processes.

• Experience with FMEA/FMECA methodologies and aerospace EMC standards.

• Experience with lithium-ion battery systems, solar array integration, and high-reliability aerospace or spacecraft electrical power systems.

• Experience transitioning designs from prototype to production, with strong understanding of Design For Manufacturability (DFM) & Design For Testability (DFT) principles.

• Experience with environmental testing (thermal vacuum, vibration, Highly Accelerated Life Testing, etc.) and qualification activities.

• Proficiency in high-level programming languages (e.g. Python) for modelling, automation, or test development.

Important Information

For security and safety reasons, police vetting will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. Job applications should also include confirmation that the applicant has a valid New Zealand work visa or New Zealand residency/citizenship.