Senior Electrical Engineer - Microgrid Controls & Automation Architecture

Ameresco•Phoenix, TX

1d•$154,200 - $223,200•Hybrid

About The Position

Ameresco is seeking a Senior Electrical Engineer - Microgrid Controls & Automation Architecture to lead the development and integration of control systems for utility-scale generation, distributed energy resources, battery energy storage systems, renewable assets, and mission-critical data center microgrids. This role will define the hierarchy and interfaces among plant distributed control systems, microgrid controllers, energy management systems, generator controls, protection systems, utility interconnections, and supervisory SCADA platforms. The successful candidate will combine deep controls and power systems expertise with strong technical leadership, multi-vendor integration experience, commissioning capability, and client-facing communication skills. The position can be based in Knoxville, TN, Phoenix, AZ, or Dallas, TX. Occasional travel to customer locations, project sites, vendor facilities, and commissioning activities will be required.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a closely related engineering discipline.
At least 8 years of experience in power generation, utilities, industrial automation, microgrids, or distributed energy systems, including significant plant-level controls integration experience.
Demonstrated experience developing or integrating microgrid controls architecture for grid-connected and islanded systems.
Ability to review confidential US security information.

Nice To Haves

Strong working knowledge of DCS, SCADA, PLC, EMS, microgrid controllers, generator controls, synchronizing systems, protective relay integration, and power management systems.
Experience with industrial communications protocols such as IEC 61850, DNP3, Modbus TCP/IP, OPC UA, and Ethernet/IP.
Ability to produce and review technical specifications, control narratives, logic diagrams, network architectures, and commissioning procedures.
Utility-scale or data center microgrids; hybrid plants integrating RICE, gas turbines, fuel cells, renewable generation, and BESS.
Hardware-in-the-loop testing, real-time simulation, dynamic modeling, or controls validation.
IEEE, UL, NFPA, utility interconnection, and mission-critical resiliency requirements.
Professional Engineer licensure or the ability to obtain licensure.
Systems thinker who can understand and communicate interactions across generation, storage, utility, protection, controls, and customer load systems.
Clear communicator who can translate complex technical issues into actionable recommendations for engineers, project managers, executives, and customers.
Collaborative technical leader who can align multidisciplinary teams, OEMs, vendors, utilities, and field personnel without relying solely on formal authority.
Ownership-oriented problem solver who drives complex technical issues to resolution while maintaining safety, reliability, cybersecurity, schedule, and commercial awareness.
Calm and decisive under schedule pressure, particularly during commissioning, startup, operational events, and troubleshooting.
Highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of managing competing priorities without sacrificing technical rigor.
Adaptable and intellectually curious, with an interest in emerging technologies and evolving microgrid applications.
Effective mentor who strengthens engineering practices, develops junior staff, and contributes to reusable standards and lessons learned.
Customer-focused and comfortable leading technical workshops, design reviews, risk discussions, and executive-level presentations.

Responsibilities

Develop integrated controls and automation architectures for microgrids, distributed generation plants, and behind-the-meter power systems.
Define interfaces among plant DCS, microgrid controllers, EMS, SCADA, generator controls, BESS controls, protection relays, and utility systems.
Prepare control philosophies, functional specifications, sequence-of-operations documents, cause-and-effect matrices, and communications architecture diagrams.
Develop operating strategies for islanding, synchronization and resynchronization, black start, load following, generation dispatch, reserve management, voltage and frequency control, and fast load shedding.
Lead multi-vendor controls integration and coordinates technical requirements with generation OEMs, BESS suppliers, microgrid controller vendors, protection engineers, utilities, EPC teams, and customers.
Review vendor submittals and support factory acceptance testing, site acceptance testing, commissioning, performance testing, and operational troubleshooting.
Incorporate secure control system architecture and applicable cybersecurity requirements, including ISA/IEC 62443 and NERC CIP where applicable.
Support power system studies and ensure control strategies align with protection, short-circuit, dynamic stability, grounding, and utility interconnection requirements.
Perform other duties as required.