BESS Renewable Energy Automation Engineer

Nidec•Brooklyn Heights, OH

About The Position

The BESS Renewable Energy Automation Engineer is an advanced engineering professional responsible for leading the design, integration, validation, and lifecycle support of Energy Management Systems (EMS), Power Plant Controllers (PPC), SCADA platforms, industrial communications networks, and automation solutions for utility-scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects. Operating with limited supervision, the role applies extensive expertise in controls engineering, power system integration, industrial communications, and cybersecurity to develop complex technical solutions that support safe, reliable, and compliant operation of energy storage assets. The position provides technical leadership across projects, influences system architecture and engineering standards, mentors other engineers, and leads commissioning, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement efforts to optimize system performance and customer outcomes. The role collaborates with product management, project engineering, field service, software development, compliance, and customer stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle. Domestic and international travel of approximately 25% may be required for project execution, commissioning, customer engagement, training, and technical support.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Computer Engineering, Power Systems Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
Minimum of 7 years of progressive engineering experience in automation, controls, energy management systems, renewable energy, utility, power generation, or industrial power system environments.
Demonstrated experience leading complex engineering projects with limited supervision.
Experience designing and implementing EMS, SCADA, control system, or automation solutions.
Experience supporting system integration, testing, commissioning, and troubleshooting in operational environments.
Experience with industrial communication protocols such as Modbus, DNP3, OPC-UA, IEC 61850, MQTT, or similar technologies.
Experience developing technical specifications, test plans, engineering documentation, and customer-facing deliverables.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline.
Professional Engineer (PE) license.
Direct utility-scale BESS design and integration experience.
Experience supporting Battery Management Systems (BMS) and Power Conversion Systems (PCS).
Experience with utility interconnection, grid services, or power market participation strategies.
Knowledge of NERC CIP, IEC 62443, or similar critical infrastructure cybersecurity standards.
Professional certifications related to automation, networking, cybersecurity, or power systems.

Responsibilities

Lead the design, development, integration, and optimization of EMS, PPC, SCADA platforms, and automation solutions for utility-scale BESS projects.
Establish system architecture, control philosophies, communication strategies, and technical approaches that support performance, reliability, scalability, and maintainability.
Evaluate engineering tradeoffs and make recommendations concerning controls, networking, cybersecurity, monitoring, and power system integration.
Interpret and apply utility, regulatory, cybersecurity, and industry standards throughout project execution.
Serve as technical lead for complex renewable energy and energy storage projects.
Define and oversee system testing, validation, simulation, and commissioning to ensure compliance with design requirements and customer expectations.
Lead troubleshooting and resolution of complex control, communication, networking, and operational issues across system components.
Analyze performance data and implement corrective actions to optimize reliability, availability, and operational efficiency.
Support factory acceptance testing (FAT), site acceptance testing (SAT), commissioning, startup, and field performance activities.
Develop and validate advanced control strategies for grid-connected energy storage applications.
Lead preparation, review, and approval of engineering documentation, including technical specifications, control narratives, network architectures, operating procedures, and test plans.
Ensure adherence to engineering standards, quality processes, configuration management requirements, and change control procedures.
Support the development and continuous improvement of engineering standards, best practices, and design methodologies.
Maintain compliance with applicable codes, standards, and cybersecurity requirements.
Collaborate with product management, project engineering, field service, software development, compliance, and customer stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.
Provide technical leadership during project execution, implementation, commissioning, and operational support.
Communicate technical risks, design considerations, system limitations, and recommended solutions to internal and external stakeholders.
Support customer meetings, technical reviews, and project planning activities.
Serve as a subject matter expert for BESS automation, EMS functionality, industrial communications, and control system integration.
Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior and mid-level engineers; share technical knowledge, lessons learned, and engineering best practices.
Identify opportunities for product enhancement, process improvement, standardization, and innovation in renewable energy solutions.
Travel domestically and internationally up to approximately 25% for project execution, commissioning, customer engagement, training, and technical support.