Role Purpose
The Project Controls Engineer supports the design, configuration, commissioning, and documentation of plant control systems for utility-scale solar, storage, and hybrid renewable energy projects. This engineer executes project work with guidance from senior engineers, applies working knowledge of grid functionality and Utility/ISO standards, and contributes to the continuous improvement of product standards. Approximately 90% of this role is project execution, while up to 10% is continuous improvement and product development.
Responsibilities
Project Execution & Technical Delivery (~90%)
• Execute controls design for utility-scale solar, BESS, and hybrid projects under the guidance of senior engineers, including review of the project scope to identify project-specific requirements and deviations from the standard Terabase controls product offering.
• Program and commission SEL controllers using AcSELerator; develop control logic in Codesys using IEC 61131-3 structured text and continuous function charts
• Follow the controls development process for any project-specific development work, including documentation of requirements, logic development, testing in a simulated/lab environment and documentation of test results.
• Implement and validate closed-loop Active Power and Reactive Power, AVR and PFR Algorithms
• Maintain version control for all code artifacts according to established version control procedure (Bitbucket)
• Troubleshoot SCADA and controls issues using Wireshark, breakpoints, cross-reference, and watch list tools, escalating complex issues to senior engineers as needed
• Produce project deliverables: System Architecture Diagrams, Control Narratives, Logic Diagrams, commissioning documents, and operator manuals
Product & Process Improvement (~10%)
• Contribute to new feature development and bug fixes in collaboration with the Product Engineering team
• Prepare technical and non-technical documentation for review by senior controls engineers
• Participate in the Continuous Improvement and Lessons Learned program, sharing field insights to inform product standards and templates
• Prepare for FATs and customer-facing presentations with coaching from senior engineers
Stakeholder Communication & Collaboration
• Support senior engineers as a controls technical contact for EPCs, asset owners, and grid operators through project execution, FAT, and commissioning
• Support FATs and lead assigned portions as formal presentations; communicate to non-technical audiences with supporting materials prepared in advance
• Flag technical risks and schedule pressures to project management team with context and proposed solutions
• Maintain Jira tickets daily with thorough detail, following Jira best practices
Expectations & Success Indicators
• Deliver high-quality work across multiple concurrent projects with ownership and urgency, seeking guidance when needed
• Leverage standardized platforms and tools to work efficiently
• Maintain 100% adherence to Terabase quality processes
• Actively develop technical skills through code reviews, feedback, and FAT participation alongside senior engineers
• Project deliverables completed on time, within scope, and meeting Utility/ISO regulatory standards
• Jira, version control, and documentation consistently maintained without follow-up from management
• Build growing expertise in Terabase SCADA and Utility-Scale grid controls, progressing toward independent project ownership
• Travel up to 10% for on-site commissioning, FAT, and customer engagements
Requirements
Education & Experience
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Engineering, Control Systems, Computer Science, or related field
• 3+ years of IEC 61131-3/PLC programming experience, preferably in Codesys or AcSELerator environment
• 2+ year of utility-scale renewable power plant controls experience (solar, BESS, or hybrid) preferred, including exposure to project-specific development work, Factory Acceptance Test (FAT), commissioning and Site Acceptance Test (SAT)
Technical Skills
• Proficient IEC 61131-3 programming; primary IDE is AcSELerator (SEL controllers) and Codesys, familiarity with Diagram Builder; proficiency with using traces, cross-references, breakpoints, and watch lists
• Working knowledge of industrial protocols: Modbus-TCP, DNP3, OPC-UA, C37.118, etc.
• Solid understanding of grid functionality: Primary Frequency Response (PFR), Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR), Active/Reactive power closed loop control, and capacitor bank functionality – including the underlying principles
• Familiarity with Utility/ISO testing and interconnection requirements (ERCOT, PJM, BPA, IEEE 2800, NERC, etc.)
• Exposure to Power Plant Controller (PPC) design, configuration, and commissioning
• Familiarity with PSCAD, PSSE, and/or TSAT modeling processes for utility-scale sites is a plus
• Exposure to hardware in the loop (HIL) hardware, such as RTDS, OPAL-RT, Speedgoat, Typhoon, etc., is a plus