Staff Software Controls Engineer - Site Control

Mainspring Energy•Menlo Park, CA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Mainspring Energy is seeking a highly skilled Staff Controls Software Engineer to develop and test the critical software that integrates our Linear Generators into global energy infrastructure. As an individual contributor (IC) within a high-performing Scrum team, you will focus on building commercial-grade site control systems, ensuring seamless integration with Microgrids, Distributed Energy Resources (DERs), and utility-scale power plants. You will be responsible for writing high-quality code, conducting rigorous testing, and collaborating with your team to deliver the communication and control backbone of our technology.

Requirements

8+ years of hands-on experience in commercial power generation , industrial automation, or utility-scale energy projects
Expert proficiency with SCADA , HMI , and industrial controllers (PLCs/PACs).
Deep hands-on experience with IEC 61131-3 for machine control
Proven track record of developing and testing control logic for complex power sites (e.g., microgrids, large-scale solar + storage).
Expert-level proficiency in OPC-UA , MQTT, Modbus, and DNP3 within secure industrial environments
Experience with grid interconnection standards (e.g., IEEE 1547, UL 1741)
Knowledge of cybersecurity frameworks for industrial control systems (e.g., NERC CIP)
Ability to create clear technical documentation and system diagrams that bridge the gap between industrial hardware and modern software

Nice To Haves

strong preference for experience in IEC 61499 for event-driven architectures.
Experience with industrial serial protocols ( like UART) is a plus

Responsibilities

Design, implement, and test control system features, ensuring they are robust and scalable for a high-volume manufacturing environment
Develop and maintain communication interfaces using OPC-UA , Modbus, and other industrial protocols to ensure system interoperability
Build and refine SCADA systems and HMI designs, focusing on creating intuitive operator interfaces and deep diagnostic visibility for the team
Work closely within a Scrum framework, participating in sprint planning, code reviews, and daily stand-ups to deliver reliable software increments
Own the testing lifecycle for new features, including unit testing, integration testing, and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) validation to ensure site safety logic and grid compliance
Implement strategies for integrating Mainspring technology into Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems (DERMS) and complex microgrid environments
Work with Product and Hardware teams to translate utility requirements and interconnection standards into functional software specifications