Master’s in e-Powertrain & Power Electronics Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in e-powertrain and power electronics engineering. 12 modules covering e-powertrain architecture, power semiconductors (Si, SiC, GaN), converter topologies, passives and gate drivers, losses and thermal management, packaging, modulation and motor control, traction machines, EMC, electrical and functional safety and validation, with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in e-Powertrain & Power Electronics Engineering — studying from New Zealand
New Zealand's electromobility sector is expanding rapidly, with electric vehicle uptake supported by renewable electricity generation, which provides the large majority of the country's power. Battery storage and hydrogen projects are being explored across the energy and transport sectors, with government support through the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. Engineers in this area work on charging infrastructure, battery systems and grid integration for utilities, fleet operators and vehicle importers.
Fees for New Zealand: 15,000 NZ$ (New Zealand dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in New Zealand
Typical roles
Questions from New Zealand
What recognition applies to battery and hydrogen engineers in New Zealand?
Engineering New Zealand administers Chartered Professional Engineer registration, which covers electrical and energy-related engineering. Hydrogen and battery safety may also fall under WorkSafe New Zealand regulations and the Electricity Authority for grid matters. SEIUM is a private institute and its qualifications are not state degrees or accredited nationally, so employer recognition is what counts.
Who employs electromobility and battery engineers in New Zealand?
Employers include electricity distributors, EV charging and fleet companies, energy storage developers, and research organisations exploring hydrogen. Roles often value hands-on experience with power electronics and safety practice. A private programme can support your profile, but it is not a guaranteed route into any particular job.
Can I study this from New Zealand while working, and how are fees handled?
Yes. The programmes are 100% online and taught in English, so you can study from New Zealand without a student visa. You will have an assigned technical tutor and a final project. Master's programmes take 1,900 hours, diplomas 800 and specialist courses 300. Fees are payable in instalments, and some employers sponsor their staff.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Design converter topologies for electric traction systems.
Select silicon, silicon carbide and gallium nitride semiconductors.
Size passive components, drivers and protections.
Design the thermal management and packaging of power modules.
Implement modulation strategies and motor control.
Validate electromagnetic compatibility, electrical safety and reliability.
Develop a traction inverter for an e-powertrain.
Who it's for
- Power electronics engineers
- E-powertrain engineers
- Inverter design engineers
- Motor control engineers
- High-voltage validation engineers
- Automotive hardware engineers
- Engineering or science graduates looking to join electric vehicle manufacturers
What you'll work with
- ISO 6469-3 (electrically propelled road vehicles — electrical safety)
- ISO 21498-1 (voltage classes and specifications for high-voltage components)
- ISO 21498-2 (electrical tests for high-voltage components)
- IEC 60747-9 (semiconductor devices — IGBTs)
- IEC 60034-30-1 (efficiency classes of electric motors)
- ISO 26262-5 (functional safety — hardware level)
- CISPR 25 (vehicle radio disturbance limits and measurement)
- AEC-Q101 (stress qualification of discrete automotive semiconductors)
- PLECS
- MATLAB/Simulink
- ANSYS Maxwell
- LTspice
- Altium Designer
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Traction drivetrain components1.2400 V and 800 V architectures1.3Motors, inverters and reduction gears1.4Integrated e-axles1.5Low-voltage auxiliary converters1.6On-board chargers1.7Vehicle requirements1.8System efficiency1.9Market trends1.10Case study: comparison of commercial e-axles
2.1Silicon IGBTs2.2Silicon carbide MOSFETs2.3Gallium nitride transistors2.4Diodes and reverse recovery2.5Dynamic switching characteristics2.6Safe operating area2.7AEC-Q101 semiconductor qualification2.8Suppliers and supply2.9Cost per ampere2.10Lab: double-pulse test
3.1Two-level three-phase inverter3.2Multilevel inverter topologies3.3Boost DC-DC converters3.4Isolated DC-DC converters3.5Bidirectional DC-DC converters3.6Dual active bridges3.7LLC resonant converters3.8Topology selection3.9Efficiency comparison3.10Practical exercise: simulation of a boost converter in PLECS
4.1DC-link capacitors4.2Inductors and transformers4.3Magnetic materials for inductors4.4Laminated busbars4.5Parasitic inductance of interconnections4.6Isolated gate drivers4.7Desaturation protection4.8Auxiliary power supplies4.9Current measurement4.10Workshop: gate driver design
5.1Conduction losses5.2Switching losses5.3Thermal models of modules5.4Junction temperature5.5Liquid-cooled heatsinks5.6Interface materials5.7Silver sintering5.8Power cycling5.9Lifetime estimation5.10Lab: thermal model of a module
6.1Power modules6.2DBC and AMB substrates6.3Double-sided cooled packages6.4Integration into the motor6.5Sealing against water and dust6.6Vibration and equipment mounting6.7High-voltage connectors6.8Design for manufacture6.9Costs and associated budget6.10Practical exercise: mechanical concept of an integrated inverter
7.1Sinusoidal PWM7.2Space vector modulation7.3Dead times and their compensation7.4Field-oriented motor control7.5Control of synchronous motors7.6Control of induction motors7.7Field weakening7.8Digital implementation on a microcontroller7.9System parameter calibration7.10Lab: field-oriented control in Simulink
8.1Permanent magnet motors8.2Reluctance motors8.3Induction motors8.4Electrically excited motors8.5Efficiency classes8.6Iron losses8.7Motor–inverter interaction8.8Bearing voltages8.9Winding insulation8.10Case study: combined efficiency map
9.1Interference sources in converters9.2Common and differential mode9.3Electromagnetic interference filters9.4Cable and housing shielding9.5PCB design9.6CISPR 25 tests9.7Electromagnetic immunity tests9.8High-voltage cables9.9Design for EMC9.10Practical exercise: EMI filter design
10.1ISO 6469-3 requirements10.2Insulation and clearances10.3Active DC-link discharge10.4Insulation monitoring10.5Inverter functional safety10.6Active short-circuit safe state10.7Hardware diagnostics10.8ISO 21498 tests10.9Safety documentation10.10Workshop: safety concept of an inverter
11.1Validation plan11.2Motor test bench testing11.3Product environmental tests11.4Durability tests11.5Semiconductor reliability11.6Failure analysis11.7Production and end-of-line testing11.8Supplier quality11.9Continuous improvement cycle11.10Case study: analysis of a module failure
12.1System specification12.2Topology selection12.3Semiconductor selection12.4Passives and driver design12.5System thermal analysis12.6Control strategy12.7EMC and safety plan12.8Validation plan12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
100% online programme on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so you can combine it with your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is PLECS, MATLAB/Simulink, ANSYS Maxwell, LTspice and Altium Designer, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Real procedures are studied: design of an 800 V silicon carbide inverter, simulation of semiconductor losses and junction temperature, and bench testing of a DC-DC converter. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: ISO 6469-3, ISO 21498-1, ISO 21498-2, IEC 60747-9, IEC 60034-30-1, ISO 26262-5, CISPR 25, AEC-Q101.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- University degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- Internet connection and a computer able to run the programme's software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with PLECS, MATLAB/Simulink, ANSYS Maxwell, LTspice and Altium Designer, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
A university degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the software, and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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