2026 PhD Residency, Utility-Scale Power Electronics (Tapestry)
About Tapestry
Tapestry is Alphabet’s moonshot for the electric grid, working at the frontier where energy’s complexity meets AI’s potential. We were born at X, the innovation lab responsible for breakthrough technologies like Waymo, Verily and Google Brain.
To keep pace with humanity’s growing energy needs, the world needs a grid that is visible and understandable. We provide that clarity by building advanced, AI-enabled analytical and planning tools that allow the entire energy ecosystem to plan smarter, move faster, and operate more efficiently—ensuring electricity remains reliable and affordable for everyone.
This is a global effort. Tapestry is proud to support partners in the U.S., U.K., Chile, New Zealand, Australia and Brazil as they build a cleaner, more resilient energy future. Joining Tapestry allows you to do the best work of your life as part of a multidisciplinary team of experts in AI, energy systems, software engineering and product design—all collaborating to reshape energy on a global scale. If you want to tackle problems that matter and build tools with real impact, we would love to meet you. 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
Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and do not include benefits.
Tapestry is Alphabet’s moonshot for the electric grid, working at the frontier where energy’s complexity meets AI’s potential. We were born at X, the innovation lab responsible for breakthrough technologies like Waymo, Verily and Google Brain.
To keep pace with humanity’s growing energy needs, the world needs a grid that is visible and understandable. We provide that clarity by building advanced, AI-enabled analytical and planning tools that allow the entire energy ecosystem to plan smarter, move faster, and operate more efficiently—ensuring electricity remains reliable and affordable for everyone.
This is a global effort. Tapestry is proud to support partners in the U.S., U.K., Chile, New Zealand, Australia and Brazil as they build a cleaner, more resilient energy future. Joining Tapestry allows you to do the best work of your life as part of a multidisciplinary team of experts in AI, energy systems, software engineering and product design—all collaborating to reshape energy on a global scale. If you want to tackle problems that matter and build tools with real impact, we would love to meet you. 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 and grid-forming.
- 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.
- 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 designing or analyzing control systems for inverter-based resources.
- Hands-on experience with simulation tools such as MATLAB/Simulink 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.
- Experience with grid-forming, grid-following, or microgrid control strategies.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and do not include benefits.