Job Description

Job Title:

Power Electronics Engineer - KTP Associate

Posting Start Date:

22/04/2025

Job Id:

1029

School/Department:

Electrical & Electronic Engineering

Work Arrangement:

Full Time (On site)

Contract Type:

Fixed-term

Salary per annum ():

36,000 - 40,000

Closing Date:

20/05/2025
The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.


We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Power Electronics Engineer to work with the University of Sheffield and

Mettler Toledo Safeline X-ray

(SLXR) on a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) to develop next generation high voltage generators for X-ray inspection machines.

Key elements of this role include design, implementation and testing of digitally controlled wide-bandgap power electronic systems such power factor correctors and high voltage inverters to improve X-ray generator performance. You will lead this project, liaising with and assisting SLXR engineers in product development and in the journey towards commercialisation.

Being a KTP, a generous development and training budget of 4000 is available to assist candidates in their continued professional development. You will also be encouraged to register for an MPhil degree alongside this role.

Although you will be employed by the University of Sheffield, you will be predominantly based at Mettler Toledo Safeline X-ray's office in Royston, Hertfordshire and may be required to work from Sheffield occasionally.

Main duties and responsibilities

Develop a power supply subsystem for an X-ray inspection machine

Explore and analyse existing solutions, determining areas for improvement

Develop, simulate, implement and test power electronic conversion circuits

Assist in the development of closed-loop controller for power electronics circuits

Develop suitable and safe testing methods for effective testing of various high voltage subsystems

Lead the project, monitor milestones and produce technical documents as required.

Work with SLXR and the university to identify and protect intellectual property and work with commercial partners

Work within an existing agile scrum project management framework

Participate in regular project meetings with Mettler Toledo Safeline X-ray and the university.

Plan your own workload to ensure the overall project milestones and objectives are met on time.

Engage fully with the requirements of the knowledge transfer partnership scheme, including personal development and reporting

Work across multiple sites, including at Mettler Toledo Safeline X-ray and the University of Sheffield

Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and are respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Essential criteria

Have at least a Master's degree (PhD is desirable) or have equivalent experience in electronic, electrical or control engineering (assessed at application)

Experience in designing, constructing and experimental testing of power electronic systems (assessed at application/interview)

Experience with analogue/digital control for power electronics systems (assessed at application/interview)

Experience of using computer-aided engineering including PCB design, schematic capture, embedded programming and circuit simulation (assessed at application/interview)

Evidence of working effectively in a team and presenting findings to a wide range of audiences (assessed at application/interview)

Ability to plan own workload and prioritise conflicting deadlines. (assessed at application/interview)

Ability to make decisions and apply creative approaches to solving complex technical problems (assessed at application/interview)

Appreciation of the commercial implications of decisions, particularly for costs (assessed at application/interview)

Willingness to be based in Royston, Hertfordshire but regularly visit Sheffield (assessed at application)

Have not previously worked on and completed an Innovate UK-funded KTP project (assessed at application)

Desirable criteria

Experience of working on high voltage power electronic systems (assessed at application/interview)

Experience with finite element analysis (FEA) for magnetics or thermal devices (assessed at application/interview)

Experience in hardware and layout design for thermal management, EMC/EMI, circuit insulation and isolation. (assessed at application/interview)

Experience of working on industrial projects (assessed at application)

Experience of working with wide-bandgap semiconductors (assessed at application/interview)

Further Information

Salary: 36,000 to 40,000 subject to experience.

Duration: 24 months

Hours of work: 37.5 hours per week

Location: Mettler, Royston, Hertfordshire

Line manager: Knowledge Based Supervisor (Jack Forrester)

For informal enquiries about this job contact Dr Jack Forrester, Knowledge Base Supervisor at jack.forrester@sheffield.ac.uk

By applying, you are agreeing that we can share your information with Mettler Toledo Safeline X-ray (SLXR).

Next steps in the recruitment process

Following the closing date, we will contact you by email to let you know whether or not you have been shortlisted to participate in the next stage of the selection process. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact

eee-postaward@sheffield.ac.uk

.

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision:

sheffield.ac.uk/vision ().

What we offer

25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays

Generous pension scheme.

A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.

A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women's and Parent's networks).

Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.

A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes

A range of generous family-friendly policies

+

paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies

+

support for those going through the menopause

+

paid time off and support for fertility treatment

+

and more

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.