ESS Controls Engineer

The ESS Controls Engineer reports to the EMS Team Product Manager and will be responsible for designing, developing, configuring, and programming our Energy Management System for energy storage systems (ESS). This includes working with internal and external stakeholders to understand and refine the implementation of the control and supervisory layers with our platform. It is essential that decisions be made to ensure safety, quality, reliability, and maintainability of such implementations. Provide expertise and support to services, project execution, and application engineering team. Develop and deploy product and application documentation and assist in the benchmarking and evaluation of new technologies, solutions, or suppliers for integration into our offering. This position will specifically focus on Utility scale energy storage solutions with the integration of batteries, inverters, and balance of plant equipment required in a battery power plant.

Requirements:
Essential duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

· Develop and implement IEC 61131-3 structured text control logic, SCADA data server/client maps, Ignition Perspective configurations, and other development tasks required for the ongoing development and deployment of the EMS platform.

· Deploy Energy Storage Operating System(s) Sunspec Modbus client with power plant controller logic that can be positioned underneath a SCADA system.

· Interpret and refine product and project requirements and design, engineer, and materialize them in the SCADA and EMS platform.

· Develop and maintain design, solution, and component specifications that are part of the SCADA and EMS platform as well as support the Operations Team in their experience in using the product.

· Envision and develop new features and solutions in the SCADA and EMS platform.

· Support in the resolution of installation, commissioning, and operational issues.

· Develop specifications for testing and validation of the EMS integration at battery power plants.

· Improve processes and procedures used in product development.

· Review/coordinate design and other technical information from suppliers and contractors.

· Maintain knowledge of applicable codes, standards, certifications, and applications in the Energy Storage industry.

· Network Administration including VMware (8.0) management, Windows Server (2022 Edition) Administration, Identity and Access Management IAM)

· Perform system backup and recovery procedures and perform asset manager duties.

· Assist production support team in controls and SCADA related issues that arise.

Knowledge, Skills, & Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

· First Technology/Product/Other Knowledge and Skills

· Prior Experience with Powin StackOS Platform with integration skills to various Stack energy densities.

· Familiarity with integrating and/or commissioning LFP String Controllers, LFP Battery Pack Controllers, Comm Stat4 Controllers, Adam 6017 IO modules, 48-96Vdc UPS controllers, and humidistat sensors.

· Expertise to engineer 10MW+ SCADA/Controls for power generation or substations.

· AcSELerator RTAC Programming in IEC 61131 PLC programming language.

· Induction Automation Ignition Platform experience, specifically gateway python programming and Perspective HMI buildouts.

· Knowledge of configuring VMWare 8.0, Windows Server 2022, Microsoft Azure, Active Directory, Group Policies.

· Firewall configuration experience, specifically Fortinet’s FortiGate product line.

· Good understanding of battery systems, inverters, controllers/SCADA, transformers, and general power flow concepts.

· CompTIA Security+ certification or equivalent (NERC CIP knowledge is a plus).

· Experience with Energy Management System and SCADA design/implementation including communication network architecture, protocols, and cyber security requirements for industrial control systems.

· Reasoning Ability

· Able to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Able to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions, read and understand network, mechanical and electrical drawings.

· Technology Skills

SCADA HMI user experience, proficient in MS Office Excel, Windows RDP, Citrix, Azure Cloud, AcSELerator RTAC, Ignition, Python, layer 2 & 3 managed network switches, firewall policies and routing configuration, network subnets, VLAN Tagging, Fiber network technology, RTU & TCP MODBUS, OPC-UA, MQTT, P2P, SEL FMP, DNP3.0, OSI-SOFT PI.

· Communicate effectively with staff and management at all levels.

· Always maintain the highest degree of honesty and integrity.

· Lead proactive team efforts to achieve departmental and company goals.

· Ability to work under time pressure and adapt to changing requirements with a positive attitude.

· Protect confidential information by not communicating, disclosing to, or using it for benefit of 3rd parties. Intellectual Property protection of the EMS Platform is of utmost importance.

· Comply with all EHS policies, practices and procedures reporting all unsafe activities to Management and/or Human Resources.

· Work in the global environment to maintain standards and latest practices.

· Ability to work closely with and influence cross-functional teams.

· Good project management skills to lead initiatives to completion.

· Highly competitive, self-starter that can work both individually and in a group setting.

· Ability to work flexible hours and be independent in the field.

Education & Experience

· Bachelor’s degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering with a minimum of two (2) years of related experience in the field.

· Experience with Powin DC Block and/or Powin EMS Controller is required.

· Experience with Renewables projects involving Battery Energy Storage Systems is considered an asset.

· Experience with reading and understanding project drawings, equipment installation, system start-up and commissioning procedures, and technical documents.

· Physical Requirements & Work Environment

· The physical demands and work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

· Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

· Ability to travel up to 25% of the time, including international travel, to deploy and commission the EMS Platform.

· Regularly required to stand and walk. Frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

· Occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

· The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud. Hearing protection may be recommended and/or required in some work locations.

· This role would be either Remote or Hybrid (2-3 days a week) in the office, depending on the situation.