Power Electronics Engineer

Job Description

At Okra Solar, we're on a mission to bring Power to the People by unlocking opportunities through energy access for everyone in the world.

Over 650 million people still live without electricity. At a time where technology such as mobile devices, productive agritech and AI are becoming more accessible than ever, we believe that access to energy is the first step toward opportunity and growth.

That's why we build our Mesh Grid technology that energizes off-grid households at a fraction of the cost of the other solutions. We build the hardware and software, that we sell to local energy companies who deploy our tech to deliver affordable, reliable electricity as a service last-mile communities.

In order to execute on the mission to 100% energy access for all - we are looking for an experienced and power electronics engineer to work alongside our team in China and ensure we can design and scale several hardware electronics products from 10k to 100k to 1M production volumes in the coming couple years!

If you're excited about using technology to create tangible impact and want to help shape the future of energy access, you could be the right person to join us.

Responsibilities

• Electronic design of Okra's next generation mesh-grid controllers - design specs, circuit design and simulation, pcb layout, testing and debugging, cost reduction
• Ensuring Okra's electronic products meet functional, reliability and regulatory requirements
• Supporting and maintaining existing Okra electronic designs, including cost reduction, reliability improvements and debugging field failures
• Close collaboration with manufacturers and component suppliers to ensure highest quality and cost optimization
• System-level integration testing and validation
• Prototype testing and debugging
• Assisting with EMC and other compliance tests

Required Skills

We are looking for someone who has skills in some, if not all of these areas:

• >5+ years in electronic design, testing & manufacturing. Preferably with a focus on DC and AC power electronics.
• Expertise in medium/high power SMPSs, analog sensing, peripherals (EEPROM, ADC timers, I2C, CAN/Modbus), RF communications, microcontrollers, inverter design, and/or battery technologies.
• Experience with circuit and PCB design through to manufacturing electronics in China
• Experience taking medium/high power circuits through EMC compliance certification and reliability testing.
• Experience with control systems theory, particularly PID controllers
• High competence in operating electronic measurement equipment such as oscilloscopes, multimeters, spectrum analysers, electronic loads and power supplies
• Independent with high communication skills: ability to prioritise own tasks and communicate progress with team
• Habit of documentation and knowledge sharing

Nice-to-Have

• Experience in an international startup environment or multi-national company.
• Experience with:
  • Microcontroller architecture, peripherals, datasheets and application notes
  • Embedded firmware development using C
  • Scripting languages such as Python and Javascript
  • Version management systems such as Git
  • Product development using Agile methodologies
• Degree in Engineering or equivalent, however we put more value on your real-world experience

Benefits At Okra

🕒 Flexible Location & Hours

We're an output-focused organisation, which means that for the most part, you can choose where and when you work as long as your team has been communicated to and is on board with it. Most commonly, we ask everyone to be in the office at least 2 to 3 days a week to foster connections.

📈 Professional Growth

With mentorship from our investors (At One Ventures, Schneider Electric) and a range of experienced leaders and change-makers in our network, you get the opportunity to take on leadership responsibilities.

🛡️ We've Got You Covered

Cover for work travel, health insurance, sick leave, and equipment.

🌴 Unlimited Paid Time Off

We burn bright, not out - we offer unlimited paid time off so you can rest, recharge, support your loved ones, and bring your best self to work.

🌈 Dynamic & Diverse Workplace

You'll work in a fast-paced startup environment with multinational staff - expect to learn a lot while finding creative solutions to complex problems, all while enjoying a great office vibe.

🍼 Flexible Parental Leave

At Okra, we support parents with fully paid, flexible leave: +60 days in Portugal, 120 in Nigeria, up to 178 in China. Take it your way - before or after birth, in blocks or part-time. Your career won't stall; we make sure family and growth go hand in hand.

DEI Statement

At Okra we are dedicated to creating a diverse and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, respected, supported and empowered. Our workplace is an interconnected network, where each individual contributes to the energy that drives innovation, fosters collaboration, and illuminates new possibilities. We are committed to recruiting, retaining, and developing a diverse team of talented professionals, and we welcome candidates of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to join us in our mission. Diversity brings power to our teams so we can bring #PowerToThePeople.