Senior Power Systems Engineer, IBR Modeling, PSS/E and PSCAD

Job Description

Job Description

Why Work at SMA America

Power the future. Build your career at SMA America.

As the U.S. subsidiary of SMA Solar Technology AG, we have been at the forefront of solar inverter technology since 1981, developing solutions that make photovoltaic power plants simpler, more reliable, safer, and more cost effective. Headquartered in Rocklin, California, SMA America has spent more than two decades helping homes, businesses, and utilities across the country generate clean, reliable power. We are the only inverter manufacturer in the world offering solutions for every system size, from residential rooftops to large scale utility plants, backed by more than 1,500 patents and a presence in over 190 countries.

Innovation is only part of the story. We invest in our people, create room to grow, challenge conventional thinking, and protect a culture where teammates genuinely care about each other and the work. We hire capable people and give them the space to do the job, with clear expectations, open door leadership, and real autonomy.

If you are passionate about driving positive change and want a career where you can take ownership of your work, we would love to meet you. Together, we are not just part of the energy transition, we are helping drive it forward.

Senior Power Systems Engineer, IBR Modeling, PSS/E and PSCAD
Remote, United States

LOCATION AND WORK MODEL

This position is remote and open to candidates residing within the continental United States. The role includes occasional international travel, including visits to SMA headquarters in Kassel, Germany.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

The Senior Power Systems Engineer provides power system modeling and grid integration analysis for SMA's utility scale photovoltaic and battery energy storage solutions. The role supports the U.S. Application Engineering team by producing the analytical inputs required for dynamic and steady state studies, electromagnetic transient analysis, and interconnection and regulatory compliance evaluations using industry standard simulation models.

Success in this position requires a solid foundation in power system engineering, working proficiency with simulation tools including PSS/E and PSCAD/EMTDC, and a practical understanding of inverter based resource behavior and control. The ideal candidate brings analytical rigor, a collaborative approach, and the ability to work effectively across U.S. and global teams.

PRIMARY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

• Perform modeling and analysis of utility scale solar, storage, and hybrid power plants in support of the U.S. Application Engineering team across multiple SMA America projects and applications.
• Interpret ISO and TSO interconnection requirements, for example ERCOT, MISO, CAISO, ISO-NE, NYISO, PJM, and SPP, and recommend appropriate SMA control configurations and parameter tuning, delivering models aligned with project specific scopes.
• Maintain and manage versions of SMA's model portfolio across PSS/E, PSCAD/EMTDC, and other simulation platforms used in the North American market.
• Provide technical support to the U.S. Application Engineering team by troubleshooting model functionality and executing simulation studies to validate dynamic model behavior against design specifications.
• Analyze inverter control modes and plant level control strategies, including their interactions in solar, storage, and hybrid system configurations, and support model validation testing, benchmarking activities, and interconnection study workflows.
• Prepare modeling study reports, technical documentation, and project deliverables that clearly communicate simulation findings and recommendations for IBR integration projects.
• Evaluate the impact of inverter based resources on power system stability and recommend mitigation approaches using SMA's technology portfolio.
• Coordinate with SMA's Global Competence Center on modeling related tasks, supporting alignment between the U.S. Application Engineering team and global counterparts.
• Collaborate with SMA's modeling team in Germany by providing feedback on model performance, identifying potential issues, recommending new functionality, and communicating emerging modeling requirements and trends in North America.
• Support SMA's participation in industry working groups and technical discussions related to modeling standards and grid code requirements in North America, including NERC, ESIG, ISOs, TSOs, and utilities.
• Develop and deliver internal training materials on modeling tools, methodologies, and SMA model capabilities.
• Collaborate cross functionally with sales, product management, engineering, and service teams to ensure alignment on technical requirements and modeling related initiatives.
• Perform additional duties as assigned to support organizational and departmental objectives.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a closely related discipline from an accredited institution.
• Minimum 3 years of professional experience in the utility scale renewable energy sector involving photovoltaic or energy storage systems.
• At least 3 years of hands on experience developing and analyzing dynamic and steady state models of inverter based resources using PSS/E and PSCAD/EMTDC.
• Working knowledge of utility scale PV and BESS plant design, including single line diagrams, control strategies, and integration considerations.
• Working knowledge of power electronic converters and plant level integration.
• Proven ability to collaborate cross functionally and work effectively in a fast paced environment managing multiple concurrent projects.
• Willingness to travel internationally on an occasional basis, including visits to SMA headquarters in Kassel, Germany.
• Proficiency in English, with strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree in electrical engineering or a closely related discipline.
• Experience with TSAT modeling tools, particularly in ERCOT and MISO jurisdictions.
• Experience performing power system analyses including SMIB generation modeling, power flow, transient stability, electromagnetic transient, and short circuit analyses.
• Experience with hardware in the loop platforms such as RTDS/GTSOC, OPAL-RT, or Typhoon HIL.
• Familiarity with Python, ASPEN OneLiner, MATLAB, or similar analytical tools.
• Familiarity with medium voltage transformers, MV switchgear, and protection system design.
• Familiarity with grid forming inverter technology and advanced battery storage control solutions.
• Familiarity with NERC reliability standards, IEEE technical standards, and grid code requirements across major North American system operators.

WE OFFER

• Base salary range of $130,000 to $157,000 annually, dependent on experience, plus bonus eligibility.
• Medical plan options through Aetna, plus Kaiser in California, including a $0 premium option, with SMA covering about 90% or more of medical premiums and contributing up to $1,500 a year to your HSA on the high deductible plan.
• $0 employee only dental and vision options, plus short and long term disability and $50,000 in life and AD&D insurance at no cost.
• 16 days of PTO, increasing with tenure, plus 12 paid holidays.
• 401k plan with a 100% match up to 5%.
• Tuition reimbursement and opportunities for professional development.
• Remote first work schedule. Continental U.S. candidates only.
• Relocation assistance available on a case by case basis.
• Inclusive, collaborative, and innovative work environment with global cross functional exposure.

WORK AUTHORIZATION

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full time basis. SMA America does not offer employment visa sponsorship of any kind, including H-1B, OPT, CPT or TN visas. Candidates who currently require or will in the future require visa sponsorship are not eligible for this role. Candidates operating under a temporary work permit or any visa tied employment authorization are also not eligible. This position is open to candidates located within the continental United States only.

AI ASSISTED APPLICATION MATERIALS

We welcome candidates who use AI tools to organize or polish their application materials. Your resume and responses must accurately reflect your own experience and be written in your own voice. Applications that include fabricated or exaggerated experience, hidden text or embedded instructions, or prescreen responses that do not reflect your own knowledge may be removed from consideration. We want to hear your story: the work you have done, the results you have delivered and the experience you would bring to SMA.

RECRUITMENT FRAUD NOTICE

All SMA America openings are posted on our official careers page and all recruiter communication comes from an @sma-america.com address. We never request payment, banking information, or a Social Security number during the recruitment process. If you are contacted about an SMA America role from a personal email account, or asked for any of the above, please forward the message to View email address on ziprecruiter.com -america.com.

Our EEO Policy

We are an equal opportunity employer and we make our employment decisions on the basis of merit and without regard to one's race, color, creed, sex (includes gender, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), gender identity, religion, marital status, age (over 40), national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability (includes HIV/Aids), medical condition (cancer, genetic characteristics), veteran's status, sexual orientation, or any other consideration made unlawful by law.

In accordance with applicable law protecting qualified individuals with known disabilities, SMA will attempt to reasonably accommodate qualified applicants with known disabilities, unless doing so would create an undue hardship on SMA. Any qualified applicant with a disability who believes he or she requires an accommodation in order to perform the essential functions of the job for which he or she is applying should identify the accommodation(s) needed in the application.

Our Privacy Policy

During your job application or recruitment process with us: (a) SMA may collect your personal information directly from you, such as when you submit your application and resume on our online portal or when you have job interviews with us. We may also obtain your personal information from third parties, including but not limited to your former employers, background or employment check service providers or third-party recruiters; and, (b) SMA may use or process applicants' personal information for relevant purposes including but not limited to general communications with you, identity verification, background or employment checks, determination of eligibility, and making hiring decisions. For successful job applicants who become SMA's staff, we may retain and integrate your personal information collected during the recruitment process into your records at SMA.

If you are a California resident, you have specific rights regarding your personal information under the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018, as amended including by the California Privacy Rights Act of 2020, and its implementing regulations (the "CCPA"). This Company Personnel and Covered Individuals Privacy Notice for California Residents issued by SMA is applicable to you and explains your CCPA rights and our collection, use or disclosure of your personal information.

If you have any question regarding our privacy policy, please contact us at View email address on ziprecruiter.com