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PhD Residency, Utility-Scale Power Electronics (Winter 2026)

Mountain ViewOnsiteFull Time$109,000–$150,000 /yrPosted 2 months ago

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Required skills

  • power electronics
  • power systems
  • control systems
  • utility-scale inverter control
  • grid stability
  • resilience
  • controllability
  • inverter-based resources
  • mode shifting
  • automatic gain control

Nice to have

  • hierarchical control
  • inverter hardware considerations
  • firmware
  • hardware-software interface
  • academic research
  • applied outcomes

Role summary

Tapestry, a Google group focused on building an AI-powered electric grid, seeks a PhD resident for a six-month program. This role involves advanced research and development in utility-scale power electronics, specifically focusing on improving grid stability, resilience, and controllability through next-generation inverter control. The resident will design, simulate, and validate novel control and orchestration algorithms for inverter-based resources, addressing challenges like mode shifting and automatic gain control. The position requires a PhD student in a relevant engineering field with strong knowledge of power electronics, power systems, and control systems, along with experience in simulation tools and TI DSPs. The role offers a competitive stipend, mentorship, and the opportunity to work on impactful, global-scale challenges at the intersection of AI and climate tech.

About Tapestry

Tapestry is a group within Google working to build the AI-powered electric grid. We are tackling one of the world’s most important infrastructure challenges: helping the energy system become more visible, understandable, reliable, affordable, abundant, and clean.

Originally born at X, Alphabet’s moonshot factory, Tapestry brings together experts in energy, AI, software engineering, and products to build tools that help the electricity ecosystem plan smarter, move faster, and operate more efficiently.

This is a global effort. Tapestry supports partners across the U.S., U.K., Chile, New Zealand, Australia, and Brazil as they work toward a cleaner, more resilient energy future.

Joining Tapestry means doing high-impact work with a multidisciplinary team tackling a problem that matters at global scale. Learn more about our team and our mission here.

About the role

In this role, you will lead advanced research and development efforts focused on improving the stability, resilience, and controllability of the electric grid through next-generation utility-scale inverter control. Your work will center on designing, simulating, and validating novel control and orchestration algorithms for inverter-based resources operating under a wide range of grid conditions.

Your primary objective will be to expand Tapestry’s control and orchestration capabilities by developing advanced inverter control strategies that address critical challenges such as mode shifting, automatic gain control, and stable operation across strong and weak grid environments. You will work from concept through implementation, contributing both theoretical insight and practical simulation artifacts that inform future product development.

This is a full-time, six-month PhD residency designed for candidates conducting doctoral research in power electronics, power systems, or advanced control.

How you will make 10X Impact

  • Design and develop advanced control algorithms for utility-scale inverter systems focused on grid stability and resilience.
  • Create and validate mode-shifting inverter control strategies that enable seamless transitions between operating modes, such as grid-following (GFL) and grid-forming (GFM) for both single and three phase inverters.
  • Design and implement Automatic Gain Control (AGC) approaches that dynamically adapt inverter behavior based on real-time grid conditions.
  • Simulate and evaluate control strategies under a range of operating conditions, including strong grid, weak grid, and transient scenarios.
  • Translate advanced control concepts into implementation-ready algorithms suitable for future firmware or hardware integration.
  • Collaborate with power systems, software, and product teams to align research outcomes with real-world grid applications.
  • Produce clear technical documentation outlining control design, assumptions, performance tradeoffs, and stability margins.

    • What you should have:

  • Currently enrolled in a PhD program in Electrical Engineering, Power Electronics, Power Systems, Control Systems, or a closely related field.
  • Strong foundational knowledge of power electronics and utility-scale power systems
  • Experience with grid-forming, grid-following, or microgrid control strategies.
  • Hands-on experience with the Texas Instruments (TI) Digital Signal Processor (DSP) i.e C2000 and relevant software tools i.e Code Composer Studio(CCS).
  • Experience designing or analyzing control systems for inverter-based resources i.e inverter firmware development using interrupts etc.
  • Hands-on experience with simulation tools such as MATLAB/Simulink, PLECS, and/or equivalent.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to reason about system stability and dynamic behavior.
  • Clear written and verbal communication skills for technical documentation and collaboration.

    • It’d be great if you also had one or more of these:

  • Experience with grid-forming, grid-following, or microgrid control strategies implementation using hierarchical control.
  • Familiarity with wide-bandgap (WBG) devices and inverter hardware considerations.
  • Exposure to firmware or hardware-software interface constraints for power electronics.
  • Experience translating academic research into applied or industry-focused outcomes.
  • Interest in grid modernization, renewable integration, and decarbonization of the electric power system.

    • Our values

  • Take charge: We take initiative and own outcomes that move the mission forward.
  • Transform with purpose: We build solutions that solve real problems and create meaningful impact.
  • Be a Tapestry, not a thread: We collaborate across diverse skills and perspectives to achieve more than we can individually.
  • Always fine-tune: We stay curious, seek feedback, and refine our understanding as we learn.
  • Stay grounded: We listen openly, value different perspectives, and stay focused on what matters most.

    • What we offer

  • Competitive salary
  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage
  • A culture that supports growth, ownership, and meaningful impact, along with:
  • Immersion in a world-class research environment at the intersection of AI and climate tech.
  • Competitive residency stipend and housing relocation support for the duration of the program.
  • Direct mentorship from industry-leading research scientists and engineers.
  • Opportunity to work on "moonshot" problems with access to Alphabet-scale compute and resources.

    • The US base salary range for this position is $109,000 - $150,000 + benefits. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your location during the hiring process.

    Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and do not include benefits.

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