Lead Engineer – Controls & Systems Integration Energy Storage

Frontier Power USA; Waterbury (VT); On-site; USD 165,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Frontier Power USA is seeking a hands-on Engineering Lead to own the architecture, controls, and integration of utility-scale battery energy storage systems. You will develop an OEM-agnostic platform that integrates batteries, PCS, medium-voltage equipment, protection, EMS, and SCADA through a common controls and data architecture.

This role leads projects from requirements and sizing through testing, commissioning, and operational handoff, requiring travel ~20% to supplier and project sites.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or related field.
• Eight+ years in power systems engineering, including utility-scale BESS experience.
• Strong knowledge of battery systems, PCS/inverters, MV equipment, protection, EMS, SCADA, and plant controls.
• Experience integrating equipment from multiple OEMs and leading projects end to end.
• Understanding of grid-forming and grid-following controls and ride-through concepts.

Responsibilities

• Own BESS architecture from battery DC blocks through the MV interconnection.
• Define an OEM-agnostic integration and controls platform across BMS, PCS, plant controller, EMS, SCADA, protection, and communications.
• Translate project duty cycles and grid requirements into power, energy, controls, and performance specs.
• Define grid-following/grid-forming strategies, ride-through, islanding, and regulatory coordination.
• Lead supplier requirements, design reviews, FAT/SAT, commissioning, testing, and cross-vendor issue resolution.
• Own controls documentation, interface specs, sequences of operation, alarm philosophy, cybersecurity requirements, and validation plans.
• Support safety and code compliance (NFPA 855, UL 9540/9540A) and AHJ coordination.
• Develop reusable standards, test libraries, and engineering practices for multi-OEM deployments.

Skills

Electrical engineering

Power systems engineering

Controls engineering

BESS integration

Grid-forming/grid-following

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

PSCAD

EMT modeling tools

Job description

Frontier Power USA is seeking a hands-on Engineering Lead to own the architecture, controls, and integration of utility-scale battery energy storage systems. You will develop an OEM-agnostic platform that integrates batteries, PCS, medium-voltage equipment, protection, EMS, and SCADA through a common controls and data architecture. This role leads projects from requirements and sizing through testing, commissioning, and operational handoff.

What You Will Do

• Own BESS architecture from battery DC blocks through the medium-voltage point of interconnection.
• Define an OEM-agnostic integration and controls platform across BMS, PCS, plant controller, EMS, SCADA, protection, and communications.
• Translate project duty cycles, grid requirements, and operating objectives into power, energy, controls, and performance requirements.
• Define grid-following and grid-forming strategies, including ride-through, islanding, black start, voltage and frequency response, and coordination with other generation.
• Lead supplier requirements, design reviews, FAT, SAT, commissioning, performance testing, and resolution of cross-vendor issues.
• Own controls documentation, interface specifications, sequences of operation, alarm philosophy, cybersecurity requirements, and validation plans.
• Support safety and code compliance, including NFPA 855, UL 9540/9540A, emergency shutdown, hazard mitigation, and AHJ coordination.
• Build reusable standards, test libraries, and engineering practices for consistent deployment across multiple OEM combinations.

What We Are Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, controls engineering, computer engineering, or a related field.
• Eight or more years in power systems engineering, including at least four years with utility-scale or large commercial and industrial BESS.
• Strong knowledge of battery systems, PCS/inverters, medium-voltage equipment, protection, EMS, SCADA, plant controls, and industrial communications.
• Experience integrating equipment from multiple OEMs and leading projects from architecture through commissioning.
• Understanding of grid-forming and grid-following controls, duty-cycle-based sizing, ride-through, islanding, and inverter-based resource behavior.
• Hands-on experience with design reviews, FAT, SAT, commissioning, troubleshooting, and cross-vendor issue resolution.
• Ability to travel approximately 20% to supplier and project sites.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of NFPA 855, UL 9540/9540A, IEEE 1547, IEEE 2800, and utility interconnection requirements.
• Experience with PSCAD or other power-system and EMT modeling tools.
• Experience with SIL, HIL, microgrids, weak grids, grid-forming inverters, or large BESS fleets.
• Experience building an engineering team or standardizing a multi-OEM controls platform.

Why Join Frontier Power USA

This is an early technical leadership role with direct influence over Frontier Power USA’s BESS architecture, OEM-agnostic controls platform, supplier strategy, engineering standards, and growing team. The right candidate can set direction while remaining hands-on in design, controls, testing, troubleshooting, and commissioning.

• Frontier Power USA is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications.
• Please note: Frontier Power USA does not accept unsolicited resumes or outreach from third-party recruiters or agencies.