Sr. Controls Engineer - OT SCADA Projects

Terabase Energy, Inc.; United States; Remote; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote flexibility

401k match

Stock options

Home office set up allowance

Generous time off and holiday policy

Job summary

Terabase Energy, Inc. is seeking a Sr. Controls Engineer – OT SCADA Projects to design, configure, commission, and support plant control systems for utility-scale solar, storage, and hybrid projects. The role emphasizes project execution with deep grid functionality knowledge and mentoring junior engineers.

You will lead controls development, document requirements, test in lab environments, and deliver system architecture and operation manuals. Travel up to 10% for on-site work is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Engineering, Control Systems, Computer Science, or related field.
• 5+ years of IEC 61131-3/PLC programming experience, preferably in Codesys or AcSELerator environment.
• 3+ years of utility-scale renewable power plant controls experience (solar, BESS, or hybrid), including FAT, commissioning and SAT.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end controls design for utility-scale solar, BESS, and hybrid projects, including review of project scope and deviations from Terabase controls offerings.
• Program and commission SEL controllers using AcSELerator; develop control logic in Codesys using IEC 61131-3 structured text and CF charts.
• Follow the controls development process for project-specific development, including requirements, logic development, testing in lab, and test documentation.
• Implement and validate closed-loop Active/Reactive power, AVR and PFR algorithms.
• Maintain version control for all code artifacts per established procedures (Bitbucket).
• Troubleshoot SCADA and controls issues using Wireshark, breakpoints, cross-reference, and watch lists.
• Produce deliverables: System Architecture Diagrams, Control Narratives, Logic Diagrams, commissioning documents, and operator manuals.

Skills

IEC 61131-3 programming

Project execution

Technical communication

Mentoring junior engineers

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher in Engineering, Control Systems, Computer Science, or related field

Tools

Codesys

AcSELerator

SEL controllers

Job description

What We Do

AtTerabaseEnergy, we believe thatdigitalizationandautomationwill drive the next wave ofinnovationandcost reductionin large scale solar. To fully unlock the potential of this opportunity,Terabaseis developing an interconnected software and construction automation platform. We work alongside project developers, owners, and engineering & construction firms to support the design, optimization, and construction of huge solar projects around the world. Our team is a blend of solar-industry veterans and newbies, thought-leaders, dreamers, software, electrical and mechanical engineers, coders, product managers, project managers, and sales and marketing professionals. We are based in Northern California, with several other offices in the United States and around the world. Ifall ofthis piques yourinterest, we’d love to hear from you!

Position Overview

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, including review of the project scope to identify project-specific requirements and deviations from the standard Terabase controls product offering.
• Program and commission SEL controllers using AcSELerator; develop control logic in Codesys using IEC 61131-3 structured text and continuous function charts
• Follow the controls development process for any project-specific development work, including documentation of requirements, logic development, testing in a simulated/lab environment and documentation of test results.
• 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 (Bitbucket)
• Efficiently 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 project management team 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 to work efficiently
• 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

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Engineering, Control Systems, Computer Science, or related field
• 5+ years of IEC 61131-3/PLC programming experience, preferably in Codesys or AcSELerator environment
• 3+ years of utility-scale renewable power plant controls experience (solar, BESS, or hybrid), including project-specific development work, Factory Acceptance Test (FAT), commissioning and Site Acceptance Test (SAT)

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, C37.118, etc.
• Expert knowledge of grid functionality: Primary Frequency Response (PFR), Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR), Active/Reactive power closed loop control, and capacitor bank functionality – 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
• Experience with hardware in the loop (HIL) hardware, such as RTDS, OPAL-RT, Speedgoat, Typhoon, etc.

Benefits

Compensation And Benefits

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
• Remote flexibility
• Flexible time off
• Comprehensive benefits package
• Career progression
• 401k match
• Stock options
• Home office set up allowance
• And much more!

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.