Sr. Controls Engineer - OT SCADA Projects

At Terabase Energy, we believe that digitalization and automation will drive the next wave of innovation and cost reduction in large scale solar.  To fully unlock the potential of this opportunity, Terabase is developing an interconnected software and construction automation platform.  We work alongside project developers, owners, and engineering & construction firms to support the design, optimization, and construction of huge solar projects around the world. Our team is a blend of solar-industry veterans and newbies, thought-leaders, dreamers, software, electrical and mechanical engineers, coders, product managers, project managers, and sales and marketing professionals. We are based in Northern California, with several other offices in the United States and around the world.  If all of this piques your interest, we’d love to hear from you!

Position Overview

 The Sr. Controls Engineer – OT SCADA Projects leads the design, configuration, commissioning, and support of plant control systems for utility-scale solar, storage, and hybrid renewable energy projects. This engineer works with minimal oversight, applies expert knowledge of grid functionality and Utility/ISO standards, mentors junior engineers, and contributes to product standards. Approximately 80% of this role is project execution, while up to 20% is continuous improvement and product development.

Responsibilities

Project Execution & Technical Delivery (~80%)

• Lead end-to-end controls design for utility-scale solar, BESS, and hybrid projects, including review of the project scope to identify project-specific requirements and deviations from the standard Terabase controls product offering.

• Program and commission SEL controllers using AcSELerator; develop control logic in Codesys using IEC 61131-3 structured text and continuous function charts

• Follow the controls development process for any project-specific development work, including documentation of requirements, logic development, testing in a simulated/lab environment and documentation of test results.

• Implement and validate closed-loop Active Power and Reactive Power, AVR and PFR Algorithms

• Maintain version control for all code artifacts according to established version control procedure (Bitbucket)

• Efficiently troubleshoot complex SCADA and controls issues using Wireshark, breakpoints, cross-reference, and watch list tools

• Produce project deliverables: System Architecture Diagrams, Control Narratives, Logic Diagrams, commissioning documents, and operator manuals

Product & Process Improvement (~20%)

• Contribute to new feature development and bug fixes in collaboration with the Product Engineering team

• Review documentation prepared by junior controls engineers (technical and non-technical)

• Lead the Continuous Improvement and Lessons Learned program, feed field insights back into product standards and templates

• Coach junior engineers through FAT preparation and customer-facing presentation

Stakeholder Communication & Collaboration

• Serve as primary controls technical contact for EPCs, asset owners, and grid operators through project execution, FAT, and commissioning

• Lead FATs as formal presentations; communicate to non-technical audiences with supporting materials prepared in advance

• Flag technical risks and schedule pressures to project management team with context and proposed solutions

• Maintain Jira tickets daily with thorough detail; enforce Jira best practices with junior engineers

Expectations & Success Indicators

• Deliver high-quality work independently across multiple concurrent projects with ownership and urgency

• Leverage standardized platforms and tools to work efficiently

• Ensure 100% adherence to Terabase quality processes; enforce standards with junior engineers

• Mentor junior controls engineers through technical guidance, code review, and FAT coaching

• Project deliverables completed on time, within scope, and meeting Utility/ISO regulatory standards

• Jira, version control, and documentation consistently maintained without follow-up from management

• Recognized internally and externally as the go-to technical authority on Terabase SCADA and OT controls

• Travel up to 10% for on-site commissioning, FAT, and customer engagements

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Engineering, Control Systems, Computer Science, or related field

• 5+ years of IEC 61131-3/PLC programming experience, preferably in Codesys or AcSELerator environment

• 3+ years of utility-scale renewable power plant controls experience (solar, BESS, or hybrid), including project-specific development work, Factory Acceptance Test (FAT), commissioning and Site Acceptance Test (SAT)

Technical Skills

• Expert IEC 61131-3 programming; primary tooling is AcSELerator (SEL controllers) and Codesys, including Diagram Builder, traces, breakpoints, and watch lists

• Extensive knowledge of industrial protocols: Modbus-TCP, DNP3, OPC-UA, C37.118, etc.

• Expert knowledge of grid functionality: Primary Frequency Response (PFR), Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR), Active/Reactive power closed loop control, and capacitor bank functionality – including the underlying grid rationale, not just controller behavior

• Proficiency with Utility/ISO testing and interconnection requirements (ERCOT, PJM, BPA, IEEE 2800, NERC, etc.)

• Experience with Power Plant Controller (PPC) design, configuration, and commissioning

• Familiarity with PSCAD, PSSE, and/or TSAT modeling processes for utility-scale sites

• Experience with hardware in the loop (HIL) hardware, such as RTDS, OPAL-RT, Speedgoat, Typhoon, etc.

Compensation And Benefits

This role offers a base salary of $150,000 – $190,000 (DOE).

Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within each posted range individual pay is determined (and may be greater or higher) dependent on work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Terabase offers competitive compensation along with a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Generous time off and holiday policy

• Remote flexibility

• Flexible time off

• Comprehensive benefits package

• Career progression

• 401k match

• Stock options

• Home office set up allowance

• And much more!

Terabase is an equal opportunity employer. We recruit, hire, employ, train, promote, and compensate individuals based on job-related qualifications and abilities. We strongly encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.

We do not discriminate for any reason including race, color, sex, gender, age, religion or religious creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, physical or mental disability, military/ veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We offer a welcoming and inclusive environment in service to one another, our products, the diverse consumers we represent, and the communities we call home.

Principles only. This role is not open to receiving agency candidates, and any contingent submissions will not be considered. Terabase Energy does not utilize third-party recruitment agencies. Please contact our Recruiting team at [email protected] with any staffing-related inquiries.