
Teddy Guan’s path to Smart Wires hasn’t been a straight line—and that’s part of what makes his story so interesting. After first joining the company in 2021, he left to explore other opportunities, only to realize just how much he appreciated the culture, mission, and people at Smart Wires. Now back as a Senior Electrical Engineer, Teddy brings fresh perspective and deep technical expertise to the team. We caught up with him to learn more about his journey, what drives him, and what makes this work meaningful.
Can you share about your journey at Smart Wires?
I actually have a unique journey with Smart Wires—I was here once before, then came back! I originally joined in 2021 because I was excited about the company’s mission and the innovative tech we were bringing to the energy space. After gaining some experience elsewhere, I realized how much I valued the collaborative culture and the forward-thinking mindset at Smart Wires. So when the opportunity came to return as a Senior Electrical Engineer, I didn’t hesitate. It’s been great to be back and see how much we’ve grown while still holding onto the things that made me want to join in the first place.
Can you share more about your role as Senior Electrical Engineer?
As a Senior Electrical Engineer, I’m responsible for designing and supporting our power electronic systems. My day-to-day varies—some days I’m deep in design reviews or testing hardware, other days I’m collaborating with cross-functional teams like software, mechanical, and product management to align on technical requirements. I also work closely with our manufacturing teams to make sure what we design can be efficiently built and scaled. It’s a very hands-on role with lots of problem-solving, which I love.
What aspect of your work are you most passionate about, and why?
I’m most passionate about developing technology that has a real impact on grid flexibility and efficiency. Knowing that our solutions help integrate renewable energy and support a more sustainable grid makes the work feel meaningful. I also really enjoy the collaboration here—everyone brings something different to the table, and there’s always a sense of shared purpose.
What is the most challenging part of your job?
One of the biggest challenges is balancing innovation with reliability. We’re often working on cutting-edge technology, but it also has to be robust and meet strict safety standards. It can be tricky to navigate, but I like the challenge. We overcome it by staying close as a team—lots of design reviews, testing, and open communication help us stay aligned and deliver quality products.
In your opinion, what sets Smart Wires apart from other companies in the industry?
It’s the culture, hands down. Smart Wires fosters a collaborative, supportive environment where new ideas are encouraged. There’s a shared mission to make the grid cleaner and more efficient, and you can feel that energy in how people work together. We’re not just doing this because it’s a job—it’s because we believe in the impact.
Outside of your day-to-day work, what climate action inspires you?
I’m inspired by local efforts to increase access to renewable energy, especially community solar programs. They make clean energy more accessible, even to people who can’t put solar panels on their own homes. It’s a reminder that small, community-driven initiatives can have a huge impact when they scale.
Contributing expert
Teddy Guan is a Senior Electrical Engineer at Smart Wires, where he leads the design and validation of power electronic systems that enhance transmission grid performance. Teddy originally joined the company in 2021 as a Senior Test Engineer and rejoined in 2025 after nearly two years at AMETEK, bringing back valuable industry experience and a renewed focus on innovation. He has a deep background in system integration, hardware testing, and cross-functional engineering collaboration, with prior roles spanning from electronic and hardware engineering to product management across the U.S. and China. Teddy is passionate about solving complex engineering challenges to support a more flexible, reliable, and sustainable grid.
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