Structural engineer Jobs in Richmond, CA

Position Summary:
The Power Systems and Controls Engineer will serve as a key technical leader in power system modeling, simulation, and controls for renewable generation, energy storage, and microgrid applications across transmission, distribution, and behind-the-meter systems. This role requires deep expertise in dynamic modeling, EMT simulation, plant and microgrid controls, and hardware-in-the-loop validation for utility-scale and hybrid energy systems.

Job Description

The Engineer will be the primary driver of power system modeling, simulation, and controls analysis for PV, wind, BESS, hybrid plants, and microgrids using tools such as PSLF, PSS®E, PSCAD, RTDS, RT-LAB, and related platforms. This includes developing advanced high-fidelity models for renewable plants, inverters, plant controllers, energy management systems (EMS), microgrid controllers, and grid networks to support load flow, dynamic, transient, and EMTP studies, including MOD compliance and interconnection requirements.

The Engineer will also support the design, validation, and performance assessment of plant-level and microgrid-level control strategies for grid-connected and islanded systems. This includes evaluating control behavior during mode transitions, black start, dispatch optimization, grid-forming/grid-following operation, and resiliency scenarios.

The Engineer will be expected to manage, develop, champion, and enforce work processes, documentation, procedures, guidelines, schedules, priorities, and technical specifications for projects within the assigned region. The Engineer must act as an advocate for continuous improvement and operational excellence for controls, modeling, simulation, and related systems and equipment. This position is remote.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the power system modeling and simulation function for the Operational Technologies team.
• Build, manage, and maintain plant models in PSS®E, PSLF, PSCAD, RTDS, RT-LAB, and similar tools for PV, BESS, wind, and hybrid plants, including plant control systems.
• Develop and validate control models for PPC, EMS, BESS controls, inverter-based resources, and microgrid controllers for both grid-connected and islanded operation.
• Support the design and simulation of microgrid control strategies, including dispatch logic, mode transitions, load sharing, spinning reserve management, black start, and coordination of solar, storage, generator, and utility interconnection assets.
• Perform dynamic, transient, EMT, and stability studies for renewable plants, storage systems, and microgrids.
• Lead and represent the Operational Technologies group on all matters related to power systems, controls, and microgrid performance.
• Support leadership in responding to DOE/SETO FOAs and other power systems research initiatives and proposals.
• Support hardware-in-the-loop and controller-in-the-loop testing for protection, plant control, EMS, and microgrid control systems.
• Develop technical documentation, testing procedures, validation methods, and study reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Lead continuous improvement and lessons-learned programs related to modeling, controls, and system performance.
• Perform other duties as required by management.

Requirements

Requirements

• Master’s degree with 3–5 years of relevant experience, or PhD in Electrical Engineering. Candidates with strong expertise in power systems modeling, inverter-based resource controls, and microgrid controls are strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of renewable generation, energy storage systems, and hybrid/microgrid system architectures.
• Experience with modeling, simulation, and testing of renewable energy resources and control systems.
• Experience with microgrid controller design, validation, or operation, including islanding, resynchronization, dispatch optimization, and coordinated control of DERs.
• Hardware-in-the-loop testing and validation of protection and control systems using real-time digital simulators.
• Interconnection impact studies for renewable power plants and hybrid systems.
• Power quality studies for utilities and wind/solar/storage plants, including voltage/current unbalance, flicker, voltage sag, and harmonics.
• Fault analysis and transient overvoltage studies, including capacitor and reactor switching, faults and clearing, line energization, and lightning.
• Black start studies, including transformer energization and synchronization.
• Experience with transformer saturation and inrush, load flow and dynamic studies, short-circuit analysis, and subsynchronous control interaction (SSCI).
• Ability to communicate effectively with team members, customers, research partners, and business stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical initiatives and work cross-functionally in a fast-paced environment.
• Must have authorization to work in the United States.
• Travel up to 10%.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with microgrid applications for data centers, remote power systems, military installations, or utility resiliency projects.
• Familiarity with grid-forming inverters, DERMS/EMS, generator controls, and plant-level SCADA integration.
• Experience with controller validation using HIL/CIL platforms such as OPAL-RT, RTDS, or Typhoon HIL.
• Knowledge of NERC, WECC, IEEE, and utility interconnection requirements applicable to inverter-based resources and microgrids.

Benefits

Compensation And Benefits

Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. This role offers a base salary of $80,000 – $130,000. 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.

Principles only. This role is not open to receiving agency candidates, and any contingent submissions will not be considered. Terabase Energy does not utilize third-party recruitment agencies. Please contact our Recruiting team at careers@terabase.energy with any staffing-related inquiries.