Senior Controls Engineer - OT SCADA Projects

Terabase Energy; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous time off and holiday policy

Career progression

Home office set up allowance

Job summary

Terabase Energy is seeking a Sr. Controls Engineer – OT SCADA Projects to lead design, configuration, commissioning, and support of plant control systems for utility-scale solar, storage, and hybrid renewable energy projects.

You will mentor junior engineers, ensure adherence to Utility/ISO standards, and drive product standards with 80% project execution and 20% continuous improvement. You will program and commission SEL controllers with AcSELerator, develop Codesys logic, validate power

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Technology, or related field
• 3-5+ years of IEC 61131-3/PLC programming experience, preferably in Codesys or AcSELerator environment
• 3+ years of utility-scale power plant controls experience (solar, BESS, or hybrid)
• Expert IEC 61131-3 programming; primary tooling is AcSELerator and Codesys

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end controls design for utility-scale solar, BESS, and hybrid projects – from initiation through commissioning and closeout
• Program and commission SEL controllers using AcSELerator; develop control logic in Codesys using IEC 61131-3 structured text
• Identify project-specific deviations from standard product scope during contracting, forecast and scope project-specific development work
• Implement and validate closed-loop Active Power and Reactive Power, AVR and PFR Algorithms
• Maintain version control for all code artifacts
• 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
• Contribute to new feature development and bug fixes with Product Engineering
• Review documentation prepared by junior controls engineers
• Lead Continuous Improvement and Lessons Learned program
• Coach junior engineers through FAT preparation and customer-facing presentation
• 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 materials prepared in advance
• Flag technical risks and schedule pressures to management with context and proposed solutions
• Maintain Jira tickets daily with thorough detail; enforce Jira best practices with junior engineers
• Deliver high-quality work independently across multiple concurrent projects with ownership and urgency
• Leverage standardized platforms and tools; avoid project-specific one-off engineering approaches
• Ensure 100% adherence to Terabase quality processes; enforce standards
• 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

Skills

IEC 61131-3 programming

PLC programming

Codesys

AcSELerator

Grid functionality understanding

Industrial protocols (Modbus-TCP, DNP3

OPC-UA

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field

3-5+ years IEC 61131-3/PLC experience

3+ years utility-scale power plant controls

Tools

SEL controllers (AcSELerator)

Codesys

Diagram Builder

Traces, breakpoints, watch lists

PSCAD/PSSE/TSAT modeling tools

Job description

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 – from initiation through commissioning and closeout
• Program and commission SEL controllers using AcSELerator; develop control logic in Codesys using IEC 61131-3 structured text
• Identify project-specific deviations from standard product scope during contracting, forecast and scope project-specific development work
• 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
• 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 management 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; avoid project-specific one-off engineering approaches
• 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

Requirements

Requirements

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Technology, or related field
• 3-5+ years of IEC 61131-3/PLC programming experience, preferably in Codesys or AcSELerator environment
• 3+ years of utility-scale power plant controls experience (solar, BESS, or hybrid)

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, etc.
• Expert knowledge of grid functionality: PFR, AVR, Reactive Power, Voltage Regulation, and Capacitor Banks – 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

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
• Career progression
• Home office set up allowance

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 [e-mail] with any staffing-related inquiries.