Remote (US preferred) | $230K+ base (equity/OTE avail.)
US Citizen (Preference is currently cleared or prior security clearance-must be clearable)
Beyond SOF is transforming U.S. Navy ships into autonomous combat data centers—sovereign, resilient edge AI compute that keeps fighting when satellites, shore datacenters, and comms are gone. We build the hardware, power architecture, and mission modules that deliver real-time AI decision superiority in the most denied maritime environments on Earth. Now we are extending that same unbreakable capability to airborne platforms. We need a principal-level Energy Systems Engineer who will own the entire power density roadmap for our floating (naval) and airborne AI systems. This is not incremental work. This is the make-or-break technology that determines whether our sovereign AI compute can run at full MW-scale performance under extreme shock, vibration, salt spray, weight/volume constraints, and contested power sources. If you’ve designed 100 kW–MW-class power systems at JPL, Philadelphia: Naval Surface Warfare Center Philadelphia Division (NSWCPD / NSWC Philadelphia), Charleston, SC: Leonardo DRS Naval Power Systems Advanced Naval Power and Propulsion Facility, L3Harris, Raytheon, Tesla Energy (Powerwall team), a hyperscaler custom hardware group, or a leading energy storage startup—and you’re the kind of engineer who sees “impossible” as a design constraint rather than a stop sign—then this is the role you’ve been waiting for.
What You Will Own
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Architect and lead end-to-end high-power-density power delivery systems (grid-side and load-side) for 100 kW to multi-MW AI compute platforms in marine and airborne environments.
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Design modern solid-state power conversion architectures using latest SiC/GaN components, advanced transformers, rectifiers, and high-voltage medium-voltage distribution that meet or exceed MIL-STD-1399 (shipboard electrical power), MIL-STD-461 (EMC), National Electrical Code, and all relevant high-power engineering standards.
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Drive extreme power density and energy storage solutions—ORv3-level packaging, next-gen battery/inverter integration, and custom hyperscale-inspired power delivery networks optimized for weight, thermal, and survivability.
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Be the principal technical authority on power systems across floating and airborne platforms—owning requirements, architecture, simulation, validation, and integration from concept through deployment.
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Leverage advanced simulation tools (Altair or equivalent) to model, optimize, and de-risk high-power designs under real-world naval/airborne conditions.
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Collaborate directly with AI hardware, mechanical, thermal, and mission teams to deliver breakthrough energy density without compromising reliability or safety.
You will not be buried in bureaucracy. You will be the go-to expert shaping the future of sovereign AI power systems for the most demanding operational environments on (and above) the planet.
What We’re Looking For
Must-have technical depth
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Deep expertise in high-power (100 kW–MW), medium- and high-voltage power supply design using modern solid-state technologies.
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Hands-on experience with MIL-STD-1399, MIL-STD-461, NEC, and related shipboard/aerospace power standards.
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Proven track record delivering production or flight-qualified power systems in defense, aerospace, or high-performance energy storage environments.
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Proficiency with industry-leading simulation tools (Altair preferred).
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MS EE (or equivalent) strongly preferred; Professional Engineer (PE) license a significant plus.
Profile we target
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Former power systems engineers (i.e. JPL, Philly, Charleston) who understand extreme-environment, high-reliability design.
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Grid-side power experts from L3Harris, Raytheon, or similar primes who are creative problem-solvers, not “Mr. No.”
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Load-side / energy storage leaders from Tesla Energy (Powerwall), hyperscaler custom hardware teams, or top energy storage startups with deep knowledge of latest power density techniques and ORv3-style packaging.
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Practical PhDs from programs such as Virginia Tech or Florida State who have real hardware in the field, not just papers.
Desired but not required (experience building this for airborne platforms)
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Hands-on experience designing, integrating, or upgrading high-power-density electrical power systems for airborne platforms such as the C-130J Super Hercules (or equivalent military aircraft) with supplemental/additional onboard power generation of 25 kW or greater (e.g., enhanced 60/90 kVA generators and 400 A regulated transformer rectifier units that significantly increase mission electrical capacity).
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Deep familiarity with MIL-STD-704 (Aircraft Electric Power Characteristics), including power quality requirements for AC (115/200 V, 400 Hz) and DC systems, voltage/frequency transients, normal/abnormal/emergency operations, and compatibility between aircraft power sources and utilization equipment.
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Experience qualifying hardware to RTCA/DO-160 (especially Section 16 – Power Input) along with related aerospace environmental and power testing standards.
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Practical knowledge of aircraft power architectures, including generator systems, transformer rectifier units (TRUs), power distribution buses, load analysis, and high-density power conversion optimized for weight, altitude, vibration, and thermal extremes in flight-qualified environments.
Critical intangibles
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You thrive in ambiguous, high-stakes, fast-moving environments.
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You are excited by the mission: delivering AI superiority when everything else has failed.
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You combine first-principles engineering excellence with relentless practicality and creativity.
What We Offer
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Compensation: $230,000+ base with significant equity in a well-funded defense-tech company executing at speed. Top-of-market total comp for the right person.
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Location: Fully remote (US preferred) with occasional travel to partner sites and test facilities.
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Impact: Your work will be deployed on U.S. Navy platforms—and soon airborne platforms. Period.
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Team: Elite, mission-driven engineers who move at Beyond SOF speed. No layers, no politics.
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Resources: Whatever you need—simulation tools, test hardware, fabrication partners—to deliver at the highest level.
If you are the engineer who can make MW-scale AI compute survive and thrive on a ship in contested waters—or in the air above denied airspace—then we want to talk to you immediately.
Apply directly with your resume and a short note on why this mission and this power-density challenge speak to you. The Beyond SOF Team is standing by
♦ Sovereign AI Compute for Naval Defense Systems
Resilient. Edge. First contact ready. We are an equal opportunity employer and value mission alignment above all. U.S. citizenship required, Security Clearance preferred.