Staff Electrical Engineer - Balance of System Integration Engineer

Mainspring Energy•Menlo Park, CA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Mainspring is seeking a versatile Systems Integration Engineer to lead the architectural design and deployment of the hardware-to-software interface for our Linear Generator sites. You will serve as a cross-functional technical lead for Balance of System (BoS) strategy, developing modular hardware platforms that scale from small microgrids to utility-scale power plants. In this capacity, you will own the full design lifecycle and vendor management for our Industrial Control Panels (ICP), which serve as the critical communication and I/O hub for our Linear Generator sites.

Requirements

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field
8+ years of demonstrated experience developing industrial control panels and integrated systems
Strong understanding of DC/AC power distribution, relay logic, and industrial communication protocols (Modbus, Ethernet/IP)
Demonstrated experience integrating complex hardware platforms with third-party software controllers or utility-level aggregators
Experience with UL 508A standards, control panel layout, and thermal management in outdoor environments (-30C to 50C)
Proven ability to manage complex project dependencies, including hardware fitment within tight spatial constraints

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with grid-tied inverters, battery pre-charge circuits, or Linux-based industrial PCs
Experience with PLC programming, Microgrid or SCADA system integration

Responsibilities

Manage the full design cycle for NEMA 3R and 4X control cabinets, including component selection for industrial PCs, managed switches, and I/O modules
Design and implement I/O mapping for control and safety systems, including E-Stop synchronization, blackstart triggers, and ground-fault detection using Modbus/TCP-based edge devices
Architect robust site-level communication networks, including managed VLAN structures and fiber/copper hybrid topologies for high-demand environments
Be the primary technical interface for outsourced design firms and panel manufacturers, ensuring high reliability designs, UL 508A compliance and manufacturing scalability
Lead technical reviews and coordinate with contract manufacturers to drive cost-reduction, design-for-manufacturability (DFM), and UL 508A certification
Manage the physical and electrical interfaces between the linear generator and external balance-of-system equipment, such as external grid-tied inverters