Engineer I

Nextracker Spain, S.L.; Valencia; On-site; EUR 45,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Nextpower is seeking an engineer to build PSCAD EMT models of inverters and plants, port control code from Typhoon HIL to PSCAD, and deliver reproducible validation reports.

You will define interfaces, troubleshoot DLL loading, and implement grid-support functions like LVRT/HVRT, P/Q control, and ROCOF, while automating tests with Python and cross-checking against grid-code criteria.

Qualifications

• BTSC in electrical/electronics or telecom field with hands-on EMT experience.
• Experience with EMT modelling, testing and validation tooling.
• Knowledge of grid codes and inverter control concepts.

Responsibilities

• Build PSCAD models of inverter and plant including filters, transformer and grid.
• Port control from HIL to PSCAD and integrate via libraries or interfaces.
• Define model-control I/O, sampling, and debug DLL loading issues.
• Implement grid-support functions (LVRT/HVRT, P/Q, Volt-VAR, ROCOF).
• Develop automated PSCAD test suites and perform parametric sweeps.
• Post-process results and compare with grid-code criteria.
• Automate PSCAD vs. HIL validation and CI/CD integration; generate reports.
• Maintain libraries, documentation and model versioning.

Skills

PSCAD EMT modelling

C programming

Python automation

Typhoon HIL

GitLab CI/CD

Power electronics

Grid codes

Education

BSc/MSc in Electrical/Electronic/Telecommunications Engineering

Tools

Visual Studio

MATLAB/Simulink

PSS/E (desirable)

Job description

Build the inverter's EMT models in PSCAD from the actual control code running on HIL, and automate their testing and validation, so that every model delivered to customers matches the certified firmware and ships with a reproducible validation report.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Build and maintain PSCAD models of the inverter and plant: power stage (2-level and 3-level NPC/ANPC), LCL filter, transformer, grid equivalent (SCR, X/R) and protections.
• Port the control from the HIL environment to PSCAD: adapt the C control code (Typhoon HIL S-HIL) into a .lib/.dll linked through Blackbox components or the Fortran/C interface.
• Define the model-control interface (I/O, parameters, sampling time, interpolation, multirate) and troubleshoot compilation, linking and DLL-loading issues.
• Implement grid-support functions: LVRT/HVRT, P/Q control, Volt-VAr, Freq-Watt, ROCOF, GFL and GFM modes.
• Develop automated PSCAD test suites (voltage dips and swells, phase and frequency jumps, ROCOF, SCR sensitivity, setpoint changes, control modes) using Python, multiple runs and parametric sweeps.
• Post-process results: signal extraction, performance metrics (response time, overshoot, steady-state error, reactive current injection), filtering and comparison against grid-code criteria.
• Automate PSCAD vs. HIL and PSS®E vs. PSCAD validation: time alignment, resampling, tolerance bands and fitting KPIs, with automatically generated reports (plots and pass/fail tables).
• Integrate the workflow into GitLab CI/CD: library builds, test execution and regression runs on every model change.
• Maintain libraries, schematics, centralised parameters and model versioning (REV A.1, A.2, B.1…); write user guides and support customers.

REQUIREMENTS

• BSc/MSc in Electronic, Electrical, Industrial or Telecommunications Engineering.
• 1–3+ years in EMT simulation, model development or validation tooling (junior candidates with a strong PSCAD-based master's thesis are also welcome).
• Power electronics: three-phase inverters, PWM/SVPWM modulation, LCL filters.
• Converter control: dq transformation, PLL, current and voltage loops, PI tuning.
• C programming: pointers, structs, building and linking static and dynamic libraries.
• Python: NumPy, SciPy, pandas, Matplotlib; automation-oriented scripting.
• Signal processing: FFT, digital filters, phasors and symmetrical components, resampling.

NICE TO HAVE

• Experience with OEM models for interconnection studies.
• PSCAD automation API (mhi.pscad) or Typhoon HIL test automation (TyphoonTest IDE, pytest).
• Grid codes and test procedures: IEEE 1547-2018 / 1547.1, UL 1741 SB, NERC, Spanish P.O. 12.2 / NTS.
• Grid-forming control: droop, VSM, virtual inertia, black start.
• PSS®E (UDM, generic WECC models: REGC/REEC/REPC; psspy).
• GitLab CI/CD, build scripting (.bat/PowerShell) and basic Fortran.

TOOLS

• PSCAD/EMTDC 5.x + mhi.pscad (advanced): EMT modelling, Blackbox components, library linking, scripted execution.
• C – GCC/MinGW, MSVC (advanced): control code, .lib/.dll generation.
• Python – NumPy, SciPy, pandas, Matplotlib (advanced): automation, post-processing, reporting.
• Typhoon HIL + TyphoonTest IDE (intermediate): control source and reference testing.
• Visual Studio / VS Code (intermediate): building, debugging, build tasks.
• Git / GitLab CI/CD (intermediate): version control and regression pipelines.
• MATLAB/Simulink (intermediate): control design and signal analysis.
• PSS®E - psspy (desirable): RMS vs. EMT correlation.

At Nextpower, we are driving the global energy transition with an integrated clean energy technology platform that combines intelligent structural, electrical, and digital solutions for utility-scale power plants. Our comprehensive portfolio enables faster project delivery, higher performance, and greater reliability, helping our customers capture the full value of solar power. Our talented worldwide teams are redefining how solar power plants are designed, built, and operated every day with smart technology, data-driven insights, and advanced automation. Together, we're building the foundation for the world's next generation of clean energy infrastructure.

At Nextpower, we are driving the global energy transition with an integrated clean energy technology platform that combines intelligent structural, electrical, and digital solutions for utility-scale power plants. Our comprehensive portfolio enables faster project delivery, higher performance, and greater reliability, helping our customers capture the full value of solar power. Our talented worldwide teams are redefining how solar power plants are designed, built, and operated every day with smart technology, data-driven insights, and advanced automation. Together, we're building the foundation for the world's next generation of clean energy infrastructure.