DC Power Supply Simulation Model Lead (Buck Converters)

Job Title: DC Power Supply Simulation Model Lead (Buck Converters) Location: North Reading, MA (100% Onsite) Duration: 6 Months (Contract to Hire conversion) Payrate: $80 to $95 per hour on W2. Job Description: We are seeking a senior contractor to provide end-to-end technical leadership for a DC power supply simulation model, with deep expertise in buck converters (power stage, control/compensation, stability, transient response, and real-world non-idealities). This is a senior leadership role without people-management responsibility, focused on product-level decision-making, cross-functional alignment, and risk management to deliver a high-quality, decision-ready model and associated product outputs. This role will also help develop product specifications and partner with Marketing and Systems Engineering to translate market/customer needs into clear, measurable requirements and a product definition. Responsibilities:Own the technical direction and architectural alignment of the DC power supply simulation model effort.Drive cross-functional execution and ensure decisions are made when needed especially in ambiguous or high-risk situations.Deliver a validated and documented simulation model suitable for product trade studies and engineering decisions (performance, stability, efficiency/loss, corner cases).Produce and refine product specifications (targets, constraints, assumptions, verification intent) in collaboration with Marketing and Systems Engineering.Maintain transparent risk identification, mitigation, and stakeholder communication throughout execution.Lead development of a DC power supply simulation model for buck converter-based designs, including (as applicable):CCM/DCM behavior, switching vs. averaged modeling approachesControl loop modeling (voltage-mode/current-mode), compensation, slope compensationStability analysis (loop gain/Bode, phase/gain margin), transient/load-step response, line/load regulationNon-idealities (ESR/ESL, switching/conduction losses, parasitics) and protection behaviors (current limit, soft-start)Define model fidelity appropriate to the decisions being made; document assumptions, limitations, and parameter sources.Drive correlation plans (as applicable) and iterate the model based on bench data and/or reference designs.Work with Marketing to understand customer needs, use cases, and competitive expectations; convert these into measurable electrical and system requirements.Partner with Systems Engineering to structure requirements for traceability and verification readiness (clear test methods and acceptance criteria where applicable).Lead/participate in requirements and design reviews; ensure spec changes are controlled, communicated, and decisioned.Drive alignment across Hardware, Systems, Firmware/Software (as applicable), Operations/Supply Chain/Manufacturing interfaces, and Program Management.Own product/model-level risk identification, transparency, and mitigation planning; balance tradeoffs across performance, cost, schedule, quality, and customer needs.Present results and recommendations clearly to stakeholders at all levels; represent the work credibly with leadership and customers as needed.Must Have:Demonstrated experience leading complex technical efforts through influence (leadership without direct authority).Strong hands-on experience with buck converters and power electronics fundamentals (topology behavior, compensation/stability, transient response, non-ideal effects).Strong simulation/modeling experience relevant to power supplies (e.g., SPICE and/or MATLAB/Simulink/PLECS; small-signal and transient analysis).Preferred QualificationsExperience developing market-driven product requirements and engaging with customer-facing teams.Experience in DC/power instrumentation or related hardware product environments (where model outputs directly shape product decisions).Systems-level architectural experience and multi-disciplinary integration mindset.