Software Engineer, Microgrid Controls Manager

Intersect is a company focused on innovative energy solutions and modern infrastructure, recently acquired by Google to enhance its capacity for energy development. The Microgrid Controls Manager will lead the development of control systems for large-scale microgrids, ensuring safety, reliability, and performance while mentoring a team of engineers.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and Develop the Controls Engineering Team
• Lead, mentor, and grow a team of controls engineers and software developers
• Responsible for microgrid control code and documentation
• Set clear technical direction, review designs and code, and support career development across the team
• Establish and enforce development best practices including version control, pull requests, coding standards, and unit testing
• Own Microgrid Controls Architecture and Roadmap
• Define the technical approach and long-term roadmap for the supervisory microgrid controller, equipment control interfaces, and SCADA integration
• Translate system-level requirements into scalable, maintainable control software architectures
• Partner with internal teams to align controls strategy with system performance, reliability, and operational goals
• Enable Equipment Integration and Grid Compliance
• Coordinate with equipment suppliers across PV, wind, battery storage, and thermal generation to define control interfaces and qualification requirements
• Define and tune key parameters such as droop control, dispatch logic, and ride-through behavior
• Ensure grid-connected operation complies with utility interconnection agreements and applicable ancillary market requirements
• Validate, Test, and Improve System Performance
• Lead validation planning across Software-in-the-Loop (SIL), Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL), vendor testing, and site-level validation
• Oversee modeling and analysis of economic tradeoffs including fuel efficiency, cycling, curtailment, and interconnection constraints
• Assist with post-event root cause analysis, reviewing telemetry and event logs to improve reliability and performance
• Support Operations and Continuous Improvement
• Partner with operations teams to diagnose unexpected control behavior and drive timely resolution
• Document issues clearly and coordinate corrective actions across internal and external stakeholders
• Use operational learnings to continuously improve control strategies and development processes

Requirements:

• 8–12+ years of experience in real-time controls, power systems, or microgrid / DER controls
• 3–5+ years of experience leading engineering teams or serving in a technical management role
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field
• Strong background in real-time control systems for power or industrial applications
• Experience with microgrids and distributed energy resources
• Fluency in software lifecycle management, quality assurance practices, and disciplined development workflows
• Hands-on experience with industrial or embedded control languages such as C++, IEC 61131-3 Structured Text, SEL RTAC logic, CODESYS, Lua, Rust, or C; commissioning SCADA systems experience is a plus
• Familiarity with cybersecurity requirements and standard protective measures for control systems
• Knowledge of utility grid interconnection and market requirements, particularly ERCOT
• A collaborative, systems-oriented mindset that will help you succeed in cross-functional, fast-moving environments