Company Introduction

At ZOLA iNTELLIGENCE (ZOLAi), we are redefining what’s possible in emerging markets. More than an energy company, we are an AI technology platform embedding intelligence into energy, connectivity, and financial services infrastructure across the Global South. Our mission is bold: Energy Equality for All.

The challenge is immense: nearly 3 billion people still lack reliable, affordable energy—a barrier that has fueled inequality in income, healthcare, and education for centuries. We believe technology can finally close that gap.

Building on over a decade of experience scaling distributed energy (with roots as ZOLA Electric in Tanzania), ZOLAi now delivers the world's first Intelligent, AI-enabled, enterprise technology platform for critical emerging market infrastructure. We unite data with agentic hardware, control, and software layers to empower our Energy Service Provider (ESP) customers with the growth, efficiency, and financing necessary to deploy, manage, and optimize entire networks.

Already, our technology enables our Customers to power over 3 million people and businesses across 10 countries, transforming basic energy access into a foundation for connectivity, financial inclusion, and opportunity for generations to come. If you're ready to tackle a multi-generational challenge with cutting-edge AI, join us.

Always PAMOJA—one team, one mission.

Position Overview

ZOLAi is looking for a hands-on Senior Electrical Engineer to participate in the development of its next generation systems and support the existing product portfolio. The ideal candidate will have experience in designing electrical systems, in building prototypes, participating in EVT and DVT designs testing along the development. He/She will help the transition of the designs to high volume manufacturers in Asia. The candidate will work closely with cross-functional teams to review the electrical designs. The ideal candidate is passionate about renewable energy including solar generation, battery storage and power conversion.

Responsibilities:

• Work with product management to convert product requirements into engineering specifications.
• Participate in design and development of high-power solar/battery systems.
• Generate electrical design specifications for subsystem hardware.
• Prototypes bring-up and debugging, hardware bug tracking, functional verification, and signal characterization.
• Develop and execute hardware and system test plans, ensuring quality, reliability, and compliance with industry regulations and standards.
• Work directly with Contract Manufacturers in Asia and component suppliers to ensure quality deliverables.
• Develop tools, guidelines and documentation to assist in the configuration of solutions based on Zola's power products
• Assist partners in the development of complex designs around ZOLA’s products such as mini grids and large single building systems
• Work with team to perform test execution, analyze field issues and help resolve defects
• Develop numerical simulations and data analysis techniques to support the creation of control algorithms and decision-support software, making extensive use of field and laboratory experimental data.
• Develop methods to size energy systems under demand uncertainty.
• Work with supply chain team and supplier partners to:
• Participate in design and development of digital and analog electronics to control high-power electronics systems.
• Product level electrical design including component selection, circuit design, subsystem design and schematic capture and PCB layout in Altium.
• Collaborate with mechanical engineers to optimize system level electro-mechanical design including thermal management.
• Participate in DFMEAs, Design for Quality (DFQ) and Design for Reliability (DFR) and assist in defining process objectives.

Requirements:

• BS or MS in Electrical Engineering or related technical field with relevant industry experience
• 5 years of experience with AC/DC power conversion, motor controllers, UPS, Solar & battery inverters.
• Strong understanding of electric power principles including Distribution networks, Dynamics and control, Electric power conversion and embedded controllers for power and digital control theory
• Extensive hands-on experience with lab instruments such as oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, electronic loads, and signal generators
• Deep knowledge of electric power conversion systems (converter, rectifier and inverter concepts).
• Understand the XIL product development framework (MIL, SIL, PIL and HIL)
• Experience with power electronics performance measurements and testing procedures including some familiarities with test standards (UL, UN, IEEE, CE and etc.).
• Experience developing in Embedded Linux Development, Device Trees, and Linux Build systems (e.g. build root)
• Technical intuition. You can smell when the behavior of a complex system doesn’t add up and come up with efficient ways to get to the bottom of things.
• Strong desire to be part of a start-up / high growth company with an entrepreneurial spirit and a fast-paced, results oriented culture
• Excellent English written and verbal communication
• Leverages AI to improve efficiency and quality

Nice to have:

• Experience in development of digital and analog interfaces for PC-based test systems, especially (Labview, Matlab-Simulink-Simscape, Altium, PLECS, Python)
• Experience with wireless technologies, such as Cellular, WiFi or Bluetooth
• Familiarity with EMI/EMC design, testings and mitigation techniques
• Familiarity with electronic standards and their testing requirements (UL, UN, ECE, IEEE, NEC, etc.)
• Familiar with international safety and EMC regulations, such as UL, ISO, IEC FCC, and NEC related to product safety
• Hands-on experience in microgrid control

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift and carry items weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to stand, walk, and move around for extended periods.
• Ability to climb ladders or stairs and work at heights.

Travel:

• Flexibility to travel 50% of the year

Compensation:

• $65,000 to $75,000 converted to local currency ¥450,000 to ¥550,000 yearly
• Health Insurance, Paid Holidays, Sick Leave, and Vacation
• Employment and contract arrangements are through our trusted partner Employer of Records (EOR)

Why Join ZOLAi?

Mission Driven With Global Impact

Operate at the intersection of AI, emerging market infrastructure

Strategic Seat at the Table

Diverse, Global Team

Unmatched Learning Curve

Competitive Package, High Ownership

Ready to apply?

We can’t wait to meet people who are passionate, driven, and inspired by what we’re building. Apply now and help us shape the future of energy access.