Senior Power Systems Controls Engineer - Microgrid

TAR; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation bonus up to $15K

Unlimited PTO

Health, Dental, Vision insurance

$1K monthly meals stipend

Job summary

TAR is seeking a Senior Engineer, Power Systems Controls, to develop and validate islanded, inverter-dominant plant EMT models (PSCAD) and test them on Typhoon HIL benches. You will verify control behavior of grid-forming and grid-following strategies, perform fault studies, and collaborate with OEMs to ensure model fidelity.

The role emphasizes rapid iteration, regression testing, and field-ready commissioning plans, reporting to the Principal Engineer, Power Systems Controls, within the VP’s

Qualifications

• M.Sc in Electrical Engineering, Power Systems, Power Electronics, or Controls with 5+ years of relevant experience, or a Ph.D. in one of these fields with 1–3 years of relevant experience.
• Hands-on PSCAD/EMTDC experience building plant-level models of inverter-based resources (BESS, PV, or wind).
• Hands-on real-time HIL experience, preferably Typhoon HIL.
• Working knowledge of grid-forming vs grid-following inverter control: droop, virtual synchronous machine, PLL-based current control.
• Ability to read OEM control block diagrams and model documentation critically.
• Understanding of islanded and low-fault-current protection; voltage/fault behavior considerations.
• Proficiency in Python for study automation and data analysis; MATLAB/Simulink is a plus.
• Experience writing clear test procedures and technical study reports.
• Extreme attention to detail with bias for speed and rapid iteration.

Responsibilities

• Build, maintain, and version-control PSCAD EMT models including grid-forming BESS PCS, PV inverters, MV collection, transformers, cables, grounding, and a data center load.
• Integrate OEM PSCAD models; assess stability, time-step sensitivity, initialization, and fidelity to control behavior; document gaps and push for improvements.
• Run islanded EMT studies: fault ride-through, inrush, load steps, etc., and analyze protection performance.
• Study inverter-to-inverter interactions: GFM/GFL, harmonic behavior, weak-grid scenarios, and stability screening.
• Verify protection settings remain selective across modes; provide EMT evidence for differential or adaptive schemes.
• Automate study cases and post-processing in Python (batch runs, sweeps, plots, reports).
• Build and maintain real-time Typhoon HIL models; perform controller validation for MGC/PPC and EMS functions.
• Write HIL test procedures and automate them using Typhoon’s Python API and TyphoonTest IDE.

Skills

PSCAD EMT modeling

Typhoon HIL experience

Python for study automation

Grid-forming vs grid-following control

Fault ride-through

Reading OEM diagrams

Test procedures & reports

Analytical thinking

Education

M.Sc in Electrical Engineering / Power Systems / Power Electronics / Controls

Tools

PSCAD/EMTDC

Typhoon HIL

Python

MATLAB/Simulink

C/C++ or Embedded Coder

PowerFactory/PSS/E/ETAP

Job description

TAR is seeking a Senior Engineer, Power Systems Controls, to develop and validate islanded, inverter-dominant plant EMT models (PSCAD) and test them on Typhoon HIL benches. You will verify control behavior of grid-forming and grid-following strategies, perform fault studies, and collaborate with OEMs to ensure model fidelity.

The role emphasizes rapid iteration, regression testing, and field-ready commissioning plans, reporting to the Principal Engineer, Power Systems Controls, within the VP’s