--- title: 'Senior Characterization & Reliability Engineer for Power Semiconductors at Vertical Semiconductor' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-characterization-reliability-engineer-for-power-semiconductors-vertical-w1m7t6pc0wty' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-09-12' --- # Senior Characterization & Reliability Engineer for Power Semiconductors at Vertical Semiconductor - **Company:** Vertical Semiconductor - **Location:** Somerville - **Employment:** full-time - **Work type:** onsite - **Posted:** 2026-06-18 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-12 - **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/verticalsemi/f9879ab5-aad8-4374-bde3-95e2a2283a89 ## Job description Company Description Vertical Semiconductor, a transformative MIT spin-out, is leading the development of vertical gallium nitride (GaN) power transistors which will revolutionize power electronics in industries such as data centers, energy systems, renewable energy and electric vehicles (EVs). ## Role Description As a rapidly growing startup, we are seeking a full-time Senior Characterization & Reliability Engineer to help drive the commercialization of vertical GaN technology and support our engineering team through its critical stages of growth. This role will focus on characterizing vertical GaN devices for a variety of target applications using both on-wafer and packaged device test setups. You will have opportunity to be hands-on in shaping the development of a world-changing power electronics, and your contributions will directly impact the success of the company and the industries we aim to disrupt. We have a preference for candidates who are able to work from our office at Greentown Labs (Somerville, MA), but are open to considering hybrid candidates. ## Key Skills - Deep knowledge of electrical characterization of power devices (IV, CV, pulsed IV, gate charge, etc.) using high-voltage test instrumentation and curve tracers for on-wafer probing with semiautomatic probe stations. - Ability to design circuit boards for packaged device tests such as UIS and switching performance. - Familiarity with JEDEC qualification standards (HTRB, HTGB, TDDB, thermal cycling, etc.) and their evaluation. - Strong computer skills with proficiency in python/MATLAB or similar for data analysis and measurement automation. - Well-versed in key power device parameter extraction for data sheets. - Experience with schematic entry, circuit simulation, and PCB layout tools. - Desire to work in a highly-collaborative, fast-paced startup environment. - Power circuit design experience with GaN or SiC preferred. - Excellent communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across cross-functional teams and with external partners. ## Qualifications Applicants should have a master’s degree or PhD in electrical engineering with a focus on power device design/characterization or have 5+ years of relevant industry experience. Familiarity with power devices for medium voltage (600-1200 V) applications such as GaN HEMTs, SiC MOSFETs, or Si IGBTs is strongly preferred. Applicant should be comfortable working closely with semiconductor device engineers and expect a high degree of ownership in their role. ## Compensation We offer a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package along with participation in our stock option program that is commensurable with candidates’ experience and impact. Values Vertical Semiconductor is seeking an engineer who is not only capable of accelerating the technical vision of the company but is also willing to get involved in the day-to-day execution of a startup. The ideal candidate is someone who enjoys tackling complex engineering challenges, is comfortable with a hands-on approach in a collaborative arena and thrives in a startup environment where they can make an immediate impact. We value integrity, initiative, problem-solving, creativity and a passion for creating transformative technology that can change industries and improve the world. ## About Vertical Semiconductor ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Vertical Semiconductor is an MIT spin-out developing next-generation vertical gallium nitride (GaN) power semiconductors to serve as the foundational power layer for data centers, AI compute, and grid infrastructure. - **Entity Type**: Private (Venture-backed; Seed stage) - **Headquarters**: Somerville, Massachusetts, United States (also listed as Cambridge, MA) - **Founded**: 2024 - **Founders**: Cynthia Liao (CEO & Co-founder), Dr. Joshua Perozek (CTO & Co-founder), Prof. Tomas Palacios (Advisor & Co-founder) ## Core Business - **Primary Industry**: Semiconductor Manufacturing / Power Electronics - **Target Customers**: B2B; Data center operators, grid infrastructure providers, and power system OEMs. - **Mission/Purpose**: To build the foundational power layer for the next era of compute and AI by bringing the superiority of vertical GaN to a scalable manufacturing platform, enabling higher density and efficiency from 40 V to over 2 kV. ## Products & Services - **Vertical GaN Power Transistors**: A family of high-voltage, high-density vertical gallium nitride (GaN) power devices designed for applications ranging from 40 V to 2.3 kV. These devices offer higher efficiency, higher switching frequency, increased power density, and lower total cost of ownership (TCO) compared to lateral GaN HEMTs and legacy silicon. The technology targets grid infrastructure and data center power systems, enabling a shift to more compact and reliable solid-state power converters. ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly available (private company). - **Key Metric (Funding)**: Total funding of **$18.45 million** across two rounds (Seed as of Oct 2025: $11.0M; Venture round as of Mar 2025: $7.4M) [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/verticalsemiconductor). - **Notable Investors/Partners**: Not publicly named in available sources, but is a venture-backed MIT spin-out leveraging technology developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). - **Growth Signals**: The company is actively scaling, with 8 total employees and 3 active job postings (Principal Applications Engineer, Principal Semiconductor Device Engineer, Semiconductor Process Engineer) as of mid-2025. LinkedIn shows a substantial yearly follower growth of +494.6% [builtin.com](https://builtin.com/company/vertical-semiconductor). The company is commercializing a differentiated technology with applications in high-growth markets (AI data centers, renewable energy grid infrastructure). ## Competitive Advantages - **Vertical GaN Architecture**: Unlike conventional lateral GaN HEMTs that struggle to scale past 700V, Vertical Semiconductor’s vertical design inherently supports higher voltages (up to 2.3 kV) and higher current, unlocking new applications in grid and high-power compute. - **MIT-Born IP**: Founders and technology originate from MIT, with the CTO (Dr. Joshua Perozek) earning his Ph.D. there developing novel vertical GaN transistor technologies, and Prof. Tomas Palacios serving as an advisor [verticalsemi.com](https://verticalsemi.com/). - **Scalable Manufacturing**: The company emphasizes a "breakthrough manufacturing approach" that brings vertical GaN to a scalable platform, ready to meet the demands of modern power systems. - **System-Level Benefits**: Their devices promise a lower total cost of ownership (TCO) through reduced system complexity, smaller footprints, and cooler operation, directly addressing key pain points in data center and grid infrastructure. ## Strategic Focus - **Commercialization**: The company is in a critical phase of transitioning from R&D to commercial product, hiring senior applications and device engineers to drive customer technical engagement and product definition. - **Target Markets**: Focused on two primary verticals: **Data Centers** (power converters for AI and compute) and **Grid Infrastructure** (solid-state power systems for HVDC and renewable energy). - **Product Scaling**: Developing a family of devices from 40 V to 2.3 kV to cover a broad range of power applications. ## Why Work Here - **High-Impact Startup**: Join an early-stage, venture-backed MIT spin-out working on foundational technology for the next era of compute and energy. Employees have significant ownership and direct impact on the product and company trajectory. - **Hands-On Technical Work**: Roles emphasize deep, practical skills—from cleanroom fabrication to bench characterization of fast-switching wide bandgap devices. The company values building deep technical expertise. - **Culture**: Described as valuing innovation, collaboration, and impact. The team is small (6-8 people), offering a tight-knit, fast-paced environment. - **Work Policy**: Hybrid workspace based in Somerville, MA. Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work, with some roles requiring on-site presence (especially fabrication roles) [builtin.com](https://builtin.com/company/vertical-semiconductor). - **Growth Potential**: As the company scales, senior hires have the potential to evolve into team leadership roles. The company offers a chance to build a career in a cutting-edge semiconductor technology. ## Sources 1. [verticalsemi.com](https://verticalsemi.com/) 2. [verticalsemi.com/careers](https://verticalsemi.com/careers) 3. [builtin.com](https://builtin.com/company/vertical-semiconductor) 4. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/verticalsemiconductor) 5. [jobs.ashbyhq.com](https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/verticalsemi) ## Other roles at Vertical Semiconductor - [Fall Commercial and Strategy MBA Intern/Co-Op](https://feeny.ai/job/fall-commercial-and-strategy-mba-intern-co-op-vertical-semiconductor-somerville-0ggbnfd40b9y) — Somerville - [Device Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/device-engineer-vertical-semiconductor-somerville-wv821yqf9yb3) — Somerville - [Principal Applications Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/principal-applications-engineer-vertical-semiconductor-somerville-6wdc8d4d3n68) — Somerville - [Principal Semiconductor Device Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/principal-semiconductor-device-engineer-vertical-semiconductor-somerville-6jkmbmhhxa8a) — Somerville