Senior Controls Engineer

Senior Controls Engineer

The Senior Controls Engineer will lead the design, testing, commissioning, and continuous improvement of plant-level control systems for utility-scale solar and battery energy storage projects.

This role provides technical leadership for Power Plant Controller (PPC), Energy Management System (EMS), and supervisory control solutions that support safe, reliable, and compliant plant operations. The position partners closely with internal teams, OEMs, EPCs, and operations stakeholders to define control strategies, evaluate designs, and support successful project execution from design through commercial operation.

The ideal candidate brings strong experience with renewable energy controls, technical problem solving, and cross-functional collaboration in a fast-paced project environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain plant-level control logic for utility-scale solar PV and BESS facilities, including PPC, EMS, and supervisory control systems.
• Develop control strategies for active power control (APC), reactive power control (RPC), frequency response, voltage regulation, ramp rate limiting, and state-of-charge (SOC) management for hybrid solar and storage facilities, ensuring performance under expected grid operating conditions.
• Develop control logic in IEC-61131-3 environments such as Codesys, AcSELerator, Beckhoff TwinCAT, or equivalent platforms.
• Review OEM and EPC-supplied control strategies and design documentation, identify gaps and risks, and provide recommendations that support successful commissioning and long-term operational performance.
• Define and support control interfaces for inverter OEMs and BESS vendors, including protocols such as Modbus, DNP3, and IEC 61850.

Controller Modeling and Validation

• Develop and review dynamic controller models in PSS/E to support interconnection and controls validation activities.
• Support EMT modeling and validation activities in PSCAD/EMTDC to identify and resolve control design issues before field implementation.
• Support NERC MOD-026 and MOD-027 submissions and respond to ISO/RTO model review comments alongside the power systems team.

Testing, Commissioning, and Issue Resolution

• Develop structured test plans for new control features and product releases, with clear acceptance criteria and documented pass/fail expectations.
• Support HIL testing environments (RTDS, OPAL-RT, or equivalent) for controller validation before hardware ever touches a real plant.
• Lead or support factory and site acceptance testing (FAT/SAT), including setpoint verification, alarm and trip logic validation, and SCADA communications checkout, while escalating issues and driving resolution as needed.
• Support root cause analysis and corrective action development for post-commercial-operation issues, ensuring lessons learned are incorporated into future designs and processes.

Technical Standards and Documentation

• Ensure control designs comply with applicable standards, including IEEE 1547, IEEE 2800, relevant NERC requirements, and project interconnection obligations.
• Develop clear and complete documentation, including functional specifications, logic descriptions, I/O lists, test procedures, and commissioning reports that support consistency, maintainability, and knowledge transfer.
• Stay current on evolving inverter-based resource grid code requirements and apply those insights to engineering standards and project delivery.

Cross-Functional Collaboration and Technical Leadership

• Partner with project development, engineering, and construction teams to support equipment selection, vendor evaluation, and early identification of controls-related risks.
• Collaborate with SCADA, commissioning, and operations teams to support reliable plant performance through startup and ongoing operations.
• Provide technical guidance to less-experienced engineers through knowledge sharing, design review, and coaching to support team capability and quality outcomes.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, or a closely related field required.
• Equivalent combinations of education and relevant experience may be considered in accordance with company policy and business needs.
• 5+ years of controls engineering experience, including work with utility-scale solar PV and/or BESS facilities.
• Experience developing control strategies for grid-connected renewable energy assets.
• Experience reviewing OEM or EPC control submissions and functional design documents, and providing substantive technical feedback.
• Working knowledge of PSS/E or PSCAD for controller-level modeling and validation.
• Hands-on experience with PPC or EMS commissioning and acceptance testing for utility-scale renewable projects.
• IEC-61131-3 control logic development in Codesys, AcSELerator, Beckhoff TwinCAT, or equivalent PLC-based environments.
• Strong troubleshooting and root cause analysis skills, with the ability to trace issues through software, controls interfaces, and system behavior.
• Working knowledge of PSS/E and/or PSCAD at the controller level.
• Communication protocols: Modbus TCP/RTU, DNP3, IEC 61850 (GOOSE/MMS), SunSpec.
• SCADA/historian familiarity: PI Historian, OSIsoft, or equivalent.
• Python or MATLAB/Simulink for control analysis, test automation, or data evaluation.
• IEEE 1547-2018 and IEEE 2800-2022 interconnection requirements for inverter-based resources.
• NERC MOD-026, MOD-027, and PRC-024 familiarity.
• General awareness of UL 9540 / UL 9540A for BESS systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• HIL testing experience with RTDS/RSCAD, OPAL-RT, or Speedgoat
• MATLAB/Simulink for control modeling or algorithm prototyping
• BESS dispatch optimization, degradation-aware SOC management, or demand response control strategies
• Experience with Emerson Ovation, ABB Ability, or Schweitzer SEL platforms in renewable energy applications
• Working knowledge of interconnection processes at ERCOT, CAISO, MISO, PJM, or WECC as they relate to controls and model submissions
• Familiarity with OT/ICS cybersecurity frameworks (IEC 62443, NERC CIP basics)
• Professional Engineer (PE) license

AES is an Equal Opportunity Employer who is committed to building strength and delivering long-term sustainability through diversity and inclusion. Respecting all backgrounds, differences and perspectives enables us to improve the lives of our people, customers, suppliers, contractors, and the communities in which we live and work. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and/or expression, race, national origin, ethnicity, age, religion, marital status, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law. E-Verify Notice: AES will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee's I-9 to confirm work authorization. The expected salary for this position, at commencement of employment, is between $113,000 and $141,525/year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position also includes annual bonus. The benefits offered for this position are: medical, dental, and vision coverage, life insurance, 401(k) eligibility, and paid time off (including vacation, sick leave time, and parental leave). Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if a candidate receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an "at-will position" and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.