NEWS
CPES Industry Residence Program: Embedded Collaboration for Real-World Impact
Aug 27, 2026
In today’s rapidly evolving power electronics landscape, translating cutting-edge research into deployable solutions is a critical competitive advantage. The CPES Industry Residence Program enables industry partners to do exactly that—by embedding engineers within the Center for Power Electronics Systems (CPES).
A Direct Connection to Innovation
Through this program, consortium member companies place engineers on-site in CPES laboratories for extended periods. Working alongside faculty, researchers, and students, participants engage directly in one of the world’s leading power electronics research environments.
More than a temporary visit, this creates a highly collaborative setting where ideas flow freely, challenges are addressed in real time, and innovation accelerates.
“When industry engineers are embedded in our labs, collaboration becomes immediate—we’re solving real problems together. Just as importantly, our students and researchers gain invaluable exposure to real-world challenges, which strengthens their learning and sharpens the impact of our research.”
— Khai Ngo, CPES Professor
Tailored, High-Impact Collaboration
Each Industry Resident defines a research scope in partnership with CPES faculty, ensuring alignment with company priorities. Whether exploring converter topologies, packaging innovations, or system-level challenges, engineers contribute to meaningful advances while gaining exposure to emerging technologies.
Fully Integrated Research Experience
Industry Residents are active participants—not observers. Support may include: dedicated laboratory bench space, office space, access to advanced CPES facilities, and participation in meetings and technical discussions. This integration enables seamless collaboration and accelerates both learning and technical impact.
Participation includes additional fees - the same internal rates paid by CPES researchers - ensuring equitable access to facilities.
Accelerating Learning and Technology Transfer
The program compresses the learning cycle by combining hands-on research with real-world application. This bidirectional exchange enables deeper insight into emerging technologies, enhanced engineer expertise, and stronger alignment between research and industry needs.
“Spending time at CPES provided a unique opportunity to work closely with leading researchers on technologies directly relevant to our work. The hands-on collaboration, access to advanced facilities, and day-to-day technical exchange significantly accelerated our development process and deepened our team’s expertise.”
— Visiting Engineer
A Strategic Advantage
The CPES Industry Residence Program transforms companies from passive observers into active contributors—accelerating innovation, strengthening collaboration, and delivering long-term value.
Get Involved
Industry partners are encouraged to explore how embedding engineers within CPES can accelerate their technical roadmap. Contact Dennis Grove dgrove@vt.edu to discuss participation and align the program with your strategic priorities.
