Network Engineer (Battery Storage)

Socket.dev; Memphis (TN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceXAI’s High Power Engineering team seeks a Network Engineer for the Battery Storage group in Memphis, TN. You will scale high‑capacity power systems and own the network across the storage fleet, with on‑site collaboration and potential travel to other sites.

Responsibilities include configuring industrial switches, integrating Modbus TCP, DNP3, IEC 61850, and ensuring secure, deterministic communications. The role requires hands‑on work in various environments and extended hours as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical/computer engineering or related technical field (or 6+ years of relevant experience).
• 3+ years of industrial, utility, or operational technology network engineering experience.

Responsibilities

• Own the operational technology network for storage fleet communications with determinism, redundancy, and security.
• Design and own site network architecture including topology, VLANs, IP addressing and redundancy.
• Oversee fiber/copper plant layout, fiber testing, splicing, and patch panels.
• Integrate industrial protocols across Modbus TCP, DNP3, IEC 61850, and map to controllers and EMS.
• Manage precision time distribution using PTP (IEEE 1588) and IRIG-B.
• Lead OT cybersecurity per IEC 62443 and NERC CIP; manage firewall rules and remote access.
• Specify and commission network equipment and maintain change/backups.
• Support commissioning with network validation, latency tests, and troubleshooting.

Skills

Industrial OT network engineering

Network architecture design

OT cybersecurity (IEC 62443/NERC CIP)

Industrial protocol experience (Modbus

DNP3 / IEC 61850

Fiber optic testing

On-site equipment handling

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering/CS

6+ years relevant experience in lieu of degree

Tools

Managed industrial switches/routers

Industrial protocol stacks (Modbus TCP, DNP3, IEC 61850)

Fiber optic termination/testing

Time synchronization tools (PTP IEEE 1588, IRIG-B)

IEC 62443 / NERC CIP compliance tooling

Job description

SpaceXAI’s mission is to create AI systems that can accurately understand the universe and aid humanity in its pursuit of knowledge. Our team is small, highly motivated, and focused on engineering excellence. This organization is for individuals who appreciate challenging themselves and thrive on curiosity. We operate with a flat organizational structure. All employees are expected to be hands‑on and to contribute directly to the company’s mission. Leadership is given to those who show initiative and consistently deliver excellence. Work ethic and strong prioritization skills are important. All employees are expected to have strong communication skills. They should be able to concisely and accurately share knowledge with their teammates.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

Join the High Power Engineering team supporting SpaceXAI to design, build, operate, and maintain electrical infrastructure for AI training campuses. As a Network Engineer on the Battery Storage team, you will work with a small on‑site team to scale high‑capacity power systems on a schedule set by compute demand. The position is based in Memphis, TN, with potential travel to other sites.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Own the operational technology network the storage fleet runs on: packs, inverters, medium‑voltage collection, and the plant controller must talk deterministically, redundantly, and securely.
• Own site network architecture: topology, redundancy, switch selection and configuration, VLAN and subnet design, and IP addressing across the fleet.
• Own the fiber and copper physical plant: single‑mode and multimode runs, splice plans, patch panel layout, labeling, OTDR acceptance testing, and pathway coordination.
• Own industrial protocol integration across Modbus TCP, DNP3, and IEC 61850 including GOOSE, plus mapping between pack controllers, PCS, plant controller, and EMS.
• Own precision time distribution using PTP per IEEE 1588 and IRIG-B for sequence‑of‑events and disturbance analysis.
• Own OT cybersecurity for the storage plant: segmentation per IEC 62443, firewall rules, remote access, patch and firmware management, and applicable NERC CIP evidence.
• Specify and commission industrial switches, media converters, gateways, protocol converters, terminal servers, and time sources; own configuration backup and change management.
• Support commissioning with network validation, latency and packet‑loss testing, failover testing, and pack‑level communications troubleshooting.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, or a related technical discipline, or 6+ years of relevant experience in lieu of a degree.
• 3+ years of industrial, utility, or operational technology network engineering.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Hands‑on configuration of managed industrial switches and routers.
• Experience with at least one industrial protocol stack: Modbus TCP, DNP3, or IEC 61850.
• Hands‑on fiber optic termination, testing, and troubleshooting.
• BESS, solar, or substation automation network experience.
• IEC 61850 station and process bus design including GOOSE performance requirements.
• IEC 62443 or NERC CIP program experience.
• Cisco, Hirschmann, Moxa, RuggedCom, or comparable industrial platform experience.
• Familiarity with industrial communications protocols and networking: Modbus, IEEE C37.115, IEEE C37.111, DNP3, etc.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Perform hands‑on work in all environments (heat, cold, rain), in tight quarters or at heights.
• Work extended hours and weekends as needed to support construction, energization, and operations.
• Remain focused in hazardous environments while wearing appropriate PPE.
• Lift up to 25 lbs. unassisted.
• Provide 24/7 on‑call support for emergencies.
• Willing to work on‑site in Memphis, TN. This is not a remote or hybrid role.
• Travel up to 25% for factory witness testing, vendor and OEM engagement, and supporting other sites.
• Valid driver's license.

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