Microgrid Controller Development Firmware Engineer - Raleigh/Morrisville, NC

Delta Electronics Americas; Morrisville (NC); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Delta Electronics Americas is seeking an experienced engineer to own the design and in-house development of real-time control software for the Microgrid Controller (MGC). You will work at the intersection of power-electronics control and deterministic embedded software, translating control laws into safe, bounded real-time code verified on HIL.

You will coordinate droop/grid-forming/following, dispatch, mode-transition, protection logic, and interfacing with PCS, BESS, PV, and genset assets,

Qualifications

• B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Power Electronics, Controls, or equivalent experience.
• Strong grasp of power-electronics control — inverter loops, PLL, grid-forming/following.
• Hands-on real-time embedded software in C/C++ on RTOS or PREEMPT_RT Linux, with bounded WCET.

Responsibilities

• Develop the MGC real-time control application on a deterministic RTOS/RT-Linux target (≤ 1 ms loops).
• Implement secondary control at 1–100 ms layer.
• Build protection coordination logic with fast trip paths (≤ 20 μs).
• Design and tune power-electronics control loops interfacing to PCS/BESS controllers.

Skills

RTOS C/C++ embedded

Power-electronics control

HIL / real-time validation

Model-based design

Python test automation

Education

BS/MS in Electrical Engineering or related

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

Typhoon HIL

OPAL-RT/RTDS

DSPACE

Job description

Delta Electronics is a global innovator at the forefront of technologies powering the future. Since 1971, we’ve been leading the way in high-efficiency power and thermal management solutions. Today, we’re driving transformation across industries with smart, sustainable systems that enable everything from AI, industrial automation, and data centers to EV charging, renewable energy, and intelligent buildings.

At Delta, we’re leading the energy transition with innovative solutions in solar inverters, energy storage systems, and EV charging infrastructure. Our technologies are helping utilities, businesses, and communities decarbonize and build resilient, intelligent energy ecosystems. Join us in creating a cleaner, smarter energy future.

Role Summary

Own the design and in-house development of the real-time control software that runs on the Microgrid Controller (MGC). This role sits at the intersection of power-electronics control theory and deterministic embedded software, building the droop / grid-forming / grid-following, dispatch, mode-transition, and protection logic that coordinates PCS, BESS, PV, and genset assets. You will bring hands-on knowledge of industry-grade controllers and translate control laws into safe, bounded, real-time code verified on HIL.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop the MGC real-time control application on a deterministic RTOS/RT-Linux target — droop/VSG, PLL, GFM/GFL reference generation, P/Q dispatch, and bumpless mode transitions within ≤ 1 ms loops
• Implement secondary control (P-f and Q-V droop, virtual inertia, SOC-aware allocation, ramp-rate limiting, black-start sequencing, resynchronization) at the 1-100 ms layer
• Build protection coordination logic (50/51, 27/59, 81/81R, anti-islanding, interlock state machine, GOOSE fast trip/block) with hardware trip paths executing in ≤ 20 µs
• Design and tune power-electronics control loops interfacing to PCS/BESS unit controllers; validate stability, ride-through (LVRT/HVRT), and grid-fault behavior
• Configure and program industry controllers
• Implement deterministic comms and middleware — IEC 61850 GOOSE/MMS/SV, Modbus TCP, DNP3, PTP (IEEE 1588), lock-free IPC (DDS / shared-memory SPSC queues), with no dynamic allocation on the RT path
• Verify all functions on HIL (Typhoon HIL, OPAL-RT, RTDS, dSPACE) for grid-tied, islanded, black-start, failover, and fault-injection scenarios.
• Support certification and release evidence — UL 1741 SB, IEEE 1547, IEC 61850 conformance, IEC 62443 / NERC CIP — with clear design and test documentation

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Power Electronics, Controls, or Computer Engineering (or equivalent experience)
• Strong grasp of power-electronics control — inverter current/voltage loops, PLL, droop, grid-forming/grid-following, and inverter-based-resource dynamics
• Hands-on real-time embedded software in C/C++ on RTOS (FreeRTOS/SafeRTOS/ThreadX) or PREEMPT_RT Linux, with bounded WCET, ISR, and deterministic scheduling discipline
• Practical experience with industry controllers / IEDs
• Working knowledge of power-system protocols: IEC 61850 (GOOSE/MMS), Modbus, DNP3, and PTP time synchronization
• Experience with model-based design and HIL (MATLAB/Simulink, PLECS, Typhoon HIL / OPAL-RT / RTDS) and test automation in Python
• Ability to read SLDs, I/O lists, protection settings, control narratives, and register maps; clear technical writing for specs, test plans, and release evidence

Pay Range

USD $140,000.00 - USD $180,000.00 /Yr.

Preferred Qualifications

• Microgrid / BESS plant controller, PPC, or grid-forming inverter control development
• Familiarity with Azure DevOps, Git mono-repo workflows, CI/CD, and formal change control / release gates

Benefit at Delta Electronics Americas

https://www.delta-americas.com/en-US/career/Life-at-Delta

EEO Statement

Delta Electronics Americas is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws. Delta Electronics America is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.