Senior Systems Engineer – Fuel Cell Systems

PLUG POWER INC; City of Albany (NY); On-site; USD 95,000 - 143,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental & Vision Insurance

401(k) with 5% company match

Bonus eligibility

Paid time off

Paid Holidays

Wellness Reimbursement Program

Tuition Reimbursement

Employee Referral program

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Plug Power Inc. in Albany, NY, is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer to lead architecture for Hydrogen PEM fuel cell products. You will translate customer needs into verifiable requirements, own traceability, and guide cross-functional teams through Stage-Gate development.

Experience delivering complex power/energy systems in regulated settings is essential. The role involves collaboration across mechanical, electrical, controls, and software domains, with travel up to 25% and a focus on

Qualifications

• BS/Ms in Mechanical, Systems, or Electrical Engineering.
• 5+ years of systems engineering in power/energy/high-reliability industries.
• Experience launching industrialized products using Stage-Gate/DFSS/V-model.
• Proficient with formal requirement management tools (Jama, DOORS).
• Thermal and fluid integration experience in fuel cell or power systems.
• MATLAB/Simulink modeling; LabVIEW experience a plus.
• Creo or similar 3D CAD for systems integration.
• Familiarity with NFPA 2, SAE J2601, ISO 14687, UL 2267 standards.
• Direct PEM hydrogen fuel cell or electrochemical energy systems experience.
• Ability to travel up to 25%.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of fuel cell system and subsystem architectures from requirements.
• Own system-level traceability and risk management across lifecycle.
• Define energy management architecture for hybrid systems.
• Perform trade studies and system-level analyses to support decisions.
• Lead cross-functional integration across disciplines and ensure standards compliance.
• Execute stage-gate activities and produce design documentation for reviews.

Skills

Systems engineering leadership

Requirements management

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical thinking

System architecture design

Education

B.S./M.S. in Mechanical / Systems / Electrical Engineering

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

LabVIEW

Creo 3D CAD

Jama/DOORS

GT Suite / AMESim / AVL CRUISE

Job description

Senior Systems Engineer – Fuel Cell Systems Status: Exempt (Salaried) Department: Fuel Cell Platforms - Systems Engineering Position Summary Plug is building the global hydrogen ecosystem. We are the only company delivering a complete hydrogen platform, from production and liquefaction to storage, delivery, and power generation. They are integrated, end-to-end solutions designed to make hydrogen work at industrial scale across regions, industries, and applications. The Senior Systems Engineer serves as the technical authority for systems architecture within Plug’s Hydrogen PEM fuel cell product development — translating customer requirements into system and subsystem architecture, owning requirement traceability through production release, and leading cross-functional teams through structured stage-gate development. The ideal candidate brings deep systems engineering fundamentals, experience launching industrialized products in a regulated environment, and the ability to drive alignment across mechanical, electrical, controls, and software disciplines. Fuel cell experience is a plus; a track record of bringing complex power or energy systems from concept to production is the core requirement. This position reports to the Senior Manager of Systems Engineering – Fuel Cells Platforms and is located at our facility in Slingerlands, NY.

System Architecture & Requirements

• Lead development of fuel cell system and subsystem architectures that satisfy customer requirements and business objectives; translating customer needs into verifiable system, subsystem, and component-level requirements
• Own requirement traceability (MBSE or document-based) from customer input through verification closure; manage system-level risk register throughout the product development lifecycle
• Define energy management architecture for hybrid fuel cell and battery systems based on customer load profiles, duty cycles, and application requirements; optimize power and energy sizing across fuel cell stack and battery
• Perform engineering trade studies and system-level analyses to evaluate design options, quantify performance margins, and support architecture down-selection decisions

Cross-Functional Integration & Standards Compliance

• Serve as the systems engineering integration lead across mechanical, electrical, controls, thermal, and software disciplines; identify and resolve interface risks and requirement conflicts early in the design cycle
• Ensure system designs comply with applicable codes and standards including NFPA 2, SAE, ISO, and UL hydrogen and fuel cell requirements; support regulatory approvals and certification activities
• Lead cross-functional FMEA, hazard analysis, and risk mitigation efforts across fuel cell system and related subsystems; represent Systems Engineering at DFMEA and safety reviews

Stage-Gate Program Execution

• Execute systems engineering activities within Plug Power’s stage-gate development framework, owning key milestones: Concept Freeze, Design Freeze, DV/PV, Pilot Build, and Production Release
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective action efforts for system-level issues; drive resolution across engineering, operations, and supply chain stakeholders
• Produce and maintain clear engineering documentation including system specifications, test plans, verification matrices, and design review packages; present technical trade-offs at gate reviews and program milestones

Testing, Validation & Field Feedback

• Define and support system-level test plans and DVP&R aligned to customer use cases, duty cycles, and certification requirements; lead or support execution of system-level testing and data analysis
• Close the field reliability loop: analyze field performance data, warranty returns, and failure reports; translate findings into system-level requirements updates and design improvements
• Collaborate with Operations and Manufacturing Engineering on DFM, pilot build readiness, and production launch; support end-of-line test strategy development to ensure system performance is verified at volume

Education and Experience

• B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related STEM discipline
• 5+ years of systems engineering experience in complex products in power, energy, automotive, aerospace, industrial, or equivalent high-reliability industries
• Proven experience bringing industrialized products from concept through production using structured development frameworks (Stage-Gate, DFSS, V-model, or equivalent), familiarity with Lean product development
• Demonstrated ability to develop and manage requirements using formal requirement management tools (Jama, DOORS, or equivalent) with full traceability to verification
• Experience with thermal and fluid system integration in fuel cell or power system products
• Experience leading cross-functional FMEA and hazard analysis; strong analytical skills with the ability to quantify system trade-offs and present findings to mixed technical and non-technical audiences
• Proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink for system modeling and analysis; experience with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook)
• Proficiency or experience with simulation tools such as GT Suite, AMESim, or AVL CRUISE is a big plus
• Experience with Creo or equivalent 3D CAD in a systems integration role
• Familiarity with hydrogen and fuel cell codes and standards (NFPA 2, SAE J2601, ISO 14687, UL 2267); experience supporting regulatory approvals and agency certification activities
• Direct experience with PEM fuel cell systems, hydrogen systems, or electrochemical energy systems; familiarity with hybrid energy management strategies is a big plus
• Experience with LabVIEW or equivalent test automation platforms for system-level test execution
• Excellent communication and organizational skills; ability to align diverse stakeholders around system architecture decisions; ability to travel up to 25%

Pay Rate: $95,040.00 - $142,500.00

Benefits

• Base salary is determined on a number of factors including but not limited to education, experience, skills, and geography. These factors are considered when making an offer of employment.
• The above pay range, may not take into account local geographic pay variations. If there is an applicable geographic differential, a member of the HR team can discuss that with you.
• Health, Dental & Vision Insurance eligibility starting from the first day of hire
• 401(k) with 5% company match
• Bonus eligibility
• Paid time off including vacation, personal and sick time
• Paid Holidays
• Wellness Reimbursement Program
• Potential to apply for Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Referral program
• Employee Assistance Program

Plug Power Inc. is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

Our employees create products every day that are changing the way energy is produced and delivered. We thrive on innovation by fostering a learning environment that creates new, real-world products and applications. Join our team as we rapidly expand into key markets like zero-emission on-road vehicles, robotics, and stationary power – Be a part of the climate solution! To learn more, download our brochure. Check out these videos to learn more about PLUG: Plug Power's Culture Code Who is Plug? Manufacturing Electrolyzers at scale Megawatt Fuel Cell Power Generation System Implementing Fuel Cells in Material Handling