Senior Microgrid Applications Engineer

Job Summary:

The primary duties of a Sr Power Systems Controls Engineer are to provide engineering services for the design and implementation of Microgrid Applications. These engineering activities are to provide power control system engineering services associated with the design of the low and medium voltage Distributed Energy Resources (DERs).

Minimum Qualifications: (Education, Experience, Knowledge, and Skills):

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or related technical field from an accredited university.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in a power systems engineering environment.
• Advanced understanding of power generation and distribution.
• Advanced understanding of solar/renewable energy equipment/system deployment, integration and troubleshooting.
• Basic field communication experience.
• Modbus
• DNP3
• Prior experience designing / implementing Microgrids with diverse DERs is highly preferred.
• Knowledge of digital multifunction relays for power protection to meet electric utility requirements.
• Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories
• Beckwith
• Experience with Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) with one or more of the following preferred manufacturers.
• Emerson
• Siemens
• Experience with DER asset controllers.
• Woodward
• ComAP
• Ability to travel up to 15% of the time.
• Strong analytical, communication and organizational skills with a desire for continuous improvement.
• Proficient with ladder logic programming, SFC, and structured text or equivalent.
• Advanced understanding with UL1741 SA/SB.
• Proficient acting as a system integrator and understanding high level operation.
• Experience working in a lab environment to validate system components.
• An understanding of the NEC.
• An understanding of NFPA110.
• Basic networking experience.
• Ability to interact with peers and management.
• Experience with 2-D CAD software (AUTOCAD preferred).

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Evaluate new controller offering.
• Lead controls design on new solutions.
• Provide engineering estimates to application engineering team.
• Confirm and review drawings to align proposed solutions to current standards.
• Coordinate and communicate with other engineering groups, sales, marketing, and operations. Be an active participant in product meetings including handoff, release review, and design meetings as required with the necessary stakeholders.
• Review the various product BoM (Bill of Materials) have the necessary components to complete required scope of work.
• Review drawing packages prior to release to ensure necessary components to complete the required scope of work are present.
• Support standards development around the following applications, but not limited to:
• Simple Automatic Transfer Controls between two sources (e.g. Main-Tie-Main, Main-Gen, Main - BESS).
• Complex Automatic Transfer controls between multiple sources (e.g. Main-Tie-Gen-Tie-Main, Main-Gen-Tie-Gen-Main).
• Paralleling Switchgear Applications.
• Renewable Control (i.e. Paralleling Islanded BESS and Generators).
• Collaborate with peers to develop standards and base files for complex power and control schemes. Examples include load shedding or peak shaving schemes utilizing multiple distributed energy resources, Microgrid operations, breaker control schemes.
• Ability to review electrical diagrams and schematics for LV, MV, and DC applications.
• Ensure solutions have proper controls, metering, and monitoring.
• Provide technical support as needed during business and non- business hours.
• Support Test group when issues in the factory.
• Troubleshoot site issues alongside commissioning team.
• Communicate clearly to the Engineering Manager when issues or ideas arise for continuous improvement.
• Develop Factory Acceptance Test procedures, Functional Performance Test, Sequence of Operations for new products.
• Supporting design standardization efforts with other groups.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

• Occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch; talk or hear; taste or smell.
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Must be able to work in front of screens for extended periods.
• Ambient room temperatures, well-lit work areas and traditional office equipment as found in a typical office environment. Office environment with shared spaces. Occasional Manufacturing and site visits may be required.
• Primarily office environment with exception for occasional Manufacturing and site visits.