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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. Find out more about our benefits and join us to become part of something special.
Overview
There is an exciting opportunity for an innovative Power Electronics Engineer to work at the interface of academia and industry in a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) between the University of Sheffield and Round Bank Engineering Ltd/Zikodrive.
Zikodrive is a fast-growing company with headquarters in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, specialising in precision motor control electronics for brushless DC, asynchronous and stepper motor applications.
Ambitious plans mean they are looking for new talent to join their business and you will become part of a dynamic team working on a unique and growing technical area of high-performance power converters for low-inductance high-speed motor drives, with the aim of maximizing system efficiency and refining torque control, while reducing audible noise, ensuring high operational reliability and strict compliance with industry standards.
You will take on a key role in the company and be responsible for a wide range of tasks including the modelling, design, development, control, testing and qualification of novel power electronic converters. You will be working closely with industry professionals at the Company and academic experts at the University of Sheffield, leading the design and development of new power electronics solutions and assisting with commercialisation of these new capabilities.
This position is offering you an excellent opportunity to take a leading role in the expansion of the company’s power electronics design capabilities. The position has arisen in line with expansion of the company into this unique and growing technical area and will be an exciting and varied role, which is mainly based at Zikodrive headquarters although regular interaction and attendance at the University will also be required.
As part of the KTP role a structured training and development programme with a dedicated personal training budget will be provided to allow you to develop the technical knowledge required to perform your role as power electronics design engineer. As a successful candidate, you will work with academics at the University of Sheffield and team members at Zikodrive receiving mentoring from both academic and company supervisors, having the opportunity to take ownership of a strategically important innovation project translating technical innovation in power electronics from conceptual design up to commercialisation.
Main duties and responsibilities
- Lead the full design, manufacturing and testing of innovative GaN-based power converters for low power, very high-speed brushless motors.
- Use relevant software and hardware tools to simulate, design and test power electronics converters.
- Interact with industrial colleagues and academics to understand and gather specifications and translate them into high performance designs
- Contribute to the development of control algorithms, modulation strategies and testing procedures
- Support full qualification of the design using internal and external resources, as required by the project plan.
- Work collaboratively with academic and industrial colleagues, present progress regularly, and maintain clear technical records, design, code, data and documentation.
- Contribute to dissemination activities, including preparation of technical reports, conference or journal papers.
- Contribute to commercialisation of the technologies, including interaction with potential clients, participation in trade shows, preparation of datasheet and other relevant documentation and demonstrators.
- Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.
- Participation in compulsory one-week residential at Ashorne Hill.
- 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 is 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.
| Criteria | Essential or desirable | Stage(s) assessed at |
|---|---|---|
| A postgraduate degree or equivalent industrial experience in Electrical/Electronic Engineering or closely related areas. A PhD degree would be desirable. | Essential | Application/Interview |
| Strong scientific background in electrical and electronic engineering, in particular, circuit design for power and control electronics. | Essential | Application/Interview |
| Experience with electrical motor drives and associated control software. | Desirable | Application/Interview |
| Experience with design and simulation tools for power electronics including PCB design tools (KiCAD and/or Altium), PSpice, PLECS, Matlab etc. | Essential | Application/Interview |
| Ability to converse effectively and interact well within a group. | Essential | Application/Interview |
| Ability to present information effectively at meetings, conferences etc. and produce high quality written documentation, papers etc. | Essential | Application/Interview |
| Experience of working as part of or leading a research team. | Desirable | Application/Interview |
| Ability to assess and organise resources, and plan and progress work activities. | Essential | Application/Interview |
| Experience of a range of project management approaches. | Desirable | Application/Interview |
Further Information
Salary
£37,000 to £42,000 per annum depending on skills and experience, with an additional budget of £4000 for the duration of the project for professional and personal development
Work arrangement
Full-time (37.5 hours per week)
Duration
Indicative start date of 27/02/27 for fixed term of 24 months
Location
Dean Hey Business Park
Cragg Vale
Hebden Bridge
UK, HX7 5RU
Note: Regular travel to the University of Sheffield may be required
Line manager
Antonio Griffo
Right to work in the UK
If you do not currently hold the right to work in the UK, you can find more information here to help determine your visa eligibility. Additional guidance is also available on the UK Visa & Immigration website.
Our website
https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/eee
For informal enquiries about this job contact Antonio Griffo via email at a.griffo@sheffield.ac.uk
Next steps in the recruitment process
It is anticipated that the selection process will take place on the weeks commencing 07/12/26 or 14/12/26. This will consist of an interview and a presentation. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 30/12/26. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact eee-operations@sheffield.ac.uk.
Our vision and strategic plan
We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).
What we offer
- A minimum of 25 days of annual leave, plus bank holiday (pro rata)
- Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
- Generous pension scheme.
- A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
- A dynamic work environment in the Heart of the Pennines at the cutting edge of motor control technology.
- Collaborative team culture with ample opportunities for professional growth.
- On site parking and good public transport links (10-minute walk from Mytholmroyd train station).
- Company events and social activities.
- Opportunity to be part of a dedicated small team carrying out all aspects of development and manufacturing.
- 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
More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).
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.
