Field Application Engineer – Data Center Power Electronics

Role overview

We are seeking a highly technical and customer-focused Field Application Engineer (FAE) to serve as the primary technical authority for our power electronics portfolio. Rather than facility-level infrastructure, this role focuses strictly on the critical power conversion hardware that drives high-density compute — specifically at the rack and component level. You will bridge the gap between complex power electronics design and business strategy, guiding clients on the optimal integration of sidecar power racks, in-rack power supply units (AC-DC and DC-DC), and battery backup shelves to meet the extreme density demands of modern data centers.

Core responsibilities

• Pre-Sales Power Engineering: Partner with the sales team to uncover technical requirements and architect specialized, rack-level power conversion solutions for hyperscale and AI-focused environments.
• Component-Level Architecture: Develop conceptual designs, integration guidelines, and technical evaluations for the deployment of sidecar power racks, high-efficiency PSUs, and in-rack DC-DC conversion.
• Design-In & Vendor Management: Lead technical responses for RFPs/RFQs and evaluate hardware specifications against customer requirements at the assembly and sub-assembly level — power shelves, BBU shelves, DC-DC modules — assessing fit, derating, thermal envelope and integration risk rather than performing component-level design.
• Standards & Open Compute Engagement: Represent Arete in OCP working groups and at the OCP Global Summit; guide customers on ORv3 and OCP HPR (21-inch, 44 OU) form-factor fit and maintain our published conformance position against evolving open specifications.
• Safety & Certification Support: Field customer and AHJ questions on NEC 645, UL 62368, DC arc-flash and IEEE 1584 analysis, and DC protection at 800 VDC; coordinate with internal teams and third-party engineers on PE-stamp scope.
• Technical Translation: Simplify and articulate complex power electronics concepts (e.g. solid-state conversion efficiencies, intelligent power routing) to ensure non-technical stakeholders grasp the operational advantages.
• Global Engineering Interface: Work daily with our Taiwan-based R&D organization to translate customer requirements into engineering-ready requests, and to bring specification answers back to the field without loss of fidelity.
• Product Strategy Alignment: Act as the voice-of-customer (VOC) for internal product and engineering teams, providing direct field feedback to shape future 800 VDC architectures and power conversion hardware.
• Integration Support: Assist hardware engineering teams and system integrators through bench testing and prototype validation to ensure reliable component integration.

Technical qualifications

• Education: Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) or a closely related technical discipline with a focus on power electronics.
• Experience: Minimum 5 years of experience in technical applications, sales support, or power engineering, specifically working with server-level power supplies and power conversion systems.
• Domain Expertise: Deep proficiency in both AC and DC power topologies, with a strong emphasis on 800 VDC architectures and high-density DC-DC/AC-DC conversion.
• Standards Familiarity: Working knowledge of Open Compute Project rack and power specifications (ORv3, OCP HPR), and of the safety and certification framework governing data center power — NEC 645, UL 62368, IEEE 1584.
• Component Knowledge: Strong analytical understanding of power electronics components, including the application and performance characteristics of inverters, capacitors, and transformers in high-heat, high-load environments.

Professional skills

• Customer-Facing Polish: Exceptional communication skills with a track record of successfully guiding hardware engineers and executive-level stakeholders through complex technical evaluations.
• Collaborative Execution: Demonstrated success working cross-functionally with account executives, OEM hardware developers, and internal product managers.
• International Fluency: Comfortable operating across time zones and cultures, including regular early-morning coordination with engineering teams in Taiwan and periodic international travel.

Employment basics

Employment type

Full-time, exempt

Location

Fremont, California. Onsite, with flexibility around the early-morning engineering cadence.

Travel

Approximately 20%, domestic and international.

Benefits

Medical, dental and vision insurance. Seven days of paid time off annually.

Work authorization

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.

Essential functions and work environment

• Travel: Regular travel of approximately 20%, domestic and international, including air travel.
• Site Access: Access to customer data center and laboratory environments, including areas containing energized electrical equipment, subject to site safety and personal protective equipment requirements.
• Hands-On Work: Bench work with rack-level hardware, including occasional lifting and positioning of equipment up to 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Schedule: Regular early-morning video conferences to coordinate with engineering teams in Asia.
• Workstation: Prolonged periods working at a computer.

Reasonable accommodation

Applicants who require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process may contact [email protected].

Equal opportunity

Arete Intelligent Power is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, reproductive health decisionmaking, marital status, age (40 and over), national origin, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.