Staff Software Controls Engineer - Site Control

Mainspringenergy; Edison (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Mainspring Energy seeks a Staff Controls Software Engineer to design, implement, and test the software backbone that integrates our Linear Generators into global energy infrastructure. You will work as an individual contributor within a Scrum team, building robust site control systems and ensuring seamless DER, microgrid, and utility-scale integration.

You will develop interfaces using OPC-UA and Modbus, craft SCADA/HMI solutions, and lead testing across unit, integration, and

Qualifications

• 8+ years of hands-on experience in commercial power generation or utility-scale projects.
• Deep expertise with SCADA, HMI, and industrial controllers (PLCs/PACs).
• Strong proficiency with IEC 61131-3 and experience with IEC 61499 is preferred.
• Proven track record in developing and testing complex control logic for power sites.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and test control system features for high-volume manufacturing environments.
• Develop and maintain communication interfaces using OPC-UA, Modbus, and other protocols.
• Build and refine SCADA systems and HMI designs with strong diagnostic visibility.
• Participate in Scrum practices: planning, reviews, and daily stand-ups.
• Own testing lifecycle including unit, integration, and hardware-in-the-loop validation.
• Integrate Mainspring technology into DERMS and complex microgrid environments.
• Collaborate with Product and Hardware teams to translate requirements into software specs.

Skills

Staff-level software engineering

Industrial automation

SCADA

HMI

OPC-UA

Modbus

IEC 61131-3

IEC 61499

Cybersecurity basics

C++/Python

Tools

SCADA

HMI

PLC/PAC

OPC-UA

MQTT

Modbus

DNP3

IEC 61131-3

IEC 61499

Job description

About Mainspring

Mainspring Energy manufactures and delivers fuel-flexible, low-emissions local power solutions that rapidly add new capacity and deliver reliable, affordable, and sustainable electric power. The company began commercial shipments of its Mainspring Linear Generators in 2020 and today has hundreds of megawatts in advanced development and field operations for leading Fortune 500 companies, data centers, and utilities. Mainspring also partners with global energy leaders including AEP, NextEra Energy Resources, Schneider Electric, and more.

The core values that ground our work, guide our decisions, and connect us together:

• Pragmatic Optimism
• Excellence without Ego
• Proactive Collaboration

Mainspring Energy is seeking a highly skilled Staff Controls Software Engineer to develop and test the critical software that integrates our Linear Generators into global energy infrastructure. As an individual contributor (IC) within a high-performing Scrum team, you will focus on building commercial-grade site control systems, ensuring seamless integration with Microgrids, Distributed Energy Resources (DERs), and utility-scale power plants. You will be responsible for writing high-quality code, conducting rigorous testing, and collaborating with your team to deliver the communication and control backbone of our technology.

• Technical Execution: Design, implement, and test control system features, ensuring they are robust and scalable for a high-volume manufacturing environment
• Protocol Implementation: Develop and maintain communication interfaces using OPC-UA, Modbus, and other industrial protocols to ensure system interoperability
• SCADA & HMI Development: Build and refine SCADA systems and HMI designs, focusing on creating intuitive operator interfaces and deep diagnostic visibility for the team
• Agile Team Participation: Work closely within a Scrum framework, participating in sprint planning, code reviews, and daily stand-ups to deliver reliable software increments
• Testing & Validation: Own the testing lifecycle for new features, including unit testing, integration testing, and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) validation to ensure site safety logic and grid compliance
• DER Integration: Implement strategies for integrating Mainspring technology into Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems (DERMS) and complex microgrid environments
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work with Product and Hardware teams to translate utility requirements and interconnection standards into functional software specifications

• Industry Experience: 8+ years of hands-on experience in commercial power generation, industrial automation, or utility-scale energy projects
• Systems Expertise: Expert proficiency with SCADA, HMI, and industrial controllers (PLCs/PACs). Deep hands-on experience with IEC 61131-3 for machine control and a strong preference for experience in IEC 61499 for event-driven architectures. Experience with industrial serial protocols ( like UART) is a plus
• Deep Protocol Knowledge: Proven track record of developing and testing control logic for complex power sites (e.g., microgrids, large-scale solar + storage). Expert-level proficiency in OPC-UA, MQTT, Modbus, and DNP3 within secure industrial environments
• Grid Interconnection Standards: Experience with grid interconnection standards (e.g., IEEE 1547, UL 1741)
• Cybersecurity Frameworks: Knowledge of cybersecurity frameworks for industrial control systems (e.g., NERC CIP)
• Technical Communication: Ability to create clear technical documentation and system diagrams that bridge the gap between industrial hardware and modern software

Does your experience not meet all of our posted requirements? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to positions unless they meet every listed requirement. At Mainspring, we are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, flexible, and collaborative environment, so if you want to help us transition the world to clean and affordable electricity, and don’t meet all posted requirements for a particular role, we’d still love to hear from you. Mainspring can sometimes be flexible enough to shift responsibilities for the right person, or otherwise identify open or upcoming roles that may better fit your professional background.

In more traditional words, Mainspring Energy, Inc is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

This compensation and benefits information is based on Mainspring Energy's estimate as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future. We generally do not negotiate on salary once we have made an offer. The level of pay within the range will depend on a variety of job-related factors that may include location, relevant prior experience and/or education, or particular skills and expertise. New hires joining the company tend to be paid within the starting base pay range noted above, with opportunities to increase pay over time based on development of additional skills, competencies, and company-specific knowledge.