Microgrid Controls Validation Engineer

Microgrid Controls Validation Engineer at Intersect

Join Intersect, a team dedicated to preserving our planet through innovative energy solutions. Recently acquired by Google (Alphabet), Intersect continues its mission to develop, construct, and operate ambitious power and data infrastructure, maintaining its independent brand and aggressive growth trajectory. We are seeking passionate individuals ready to tackle global energy challenges.

Location & Team Gatherings

Intersect operates as a fully flexible workplace, embracing work-from-home, hybrid, and in-office models. We prioritize social connections and shared experiences through quarterly Team Week gatherings and access to established Hub locations across the SF Bay Area, NYC Metro Area (NY), Denver (CO), Houston (TX), Calgary (AB), and Toronto (ON). Candidates are expected to be located within 60 miles of any of these listed hubs to foster in-person connections while maintaining our flexible remote culture.

About This Role

As a Microgrid Controls Validation Engineer within Intersect’s Microgrid Engineering team, you will be instrumental in defining and implementing the validation framework for microgrid control software. This role specifically focuses on creating robust simulation environments, developing validation tools, and conducting Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing to ensure control code performs safely and reliably under diverse real-world operating conditions. You will collaborate closely with controls engineers, power systems engineers, utilities, and external partners to guarantee microgrid systems meet stringent performance, compliance, and reliability standards at scale.

Team Overview

The Microgrid Engineering team is vital to Intersect’s mission of accelerating the clean energy transition. This team designs and operates systems that deliver reliable power on a massive scale, working across software, hardware, operations, and external stakeholders. They are responsible for validating complex systems under realistic conditions to ensure safety, performance, and long-term operability. Joining this team offers direct exposure to advanced validation techniques and large-scale energy systems, contributing to work with significant real-world impact.

What You’ll Do

• Develop software validation tools and simulation frameworks to thoroughly exercise control algorithms across all operating conditions, including failure modes, communication delays, and equipment faults.
• Define requirements and strategies for utilizing real-time simulators for both Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing.
• Automate test execution to establish reproducible validation workflows and generate comprehensive reporting tools.
• Design precise verification metrics to effectively demonstrate control performance, safety, and regulatory compliance.
• Collaborate with engineering teams, utilities, and external stakeholders to meticulously define test cases and performance requirements.
• Validate both steady-state behavior and critical abnormal operating scenarios within microgrid systems.
• Support the analysis of field operating data to refine simulation models and pinpoint edge cases.
• Integrate field learnings back into regression test suites to continuously enhance validation coverage and robustness.
• Maintain a meticulously structured repository of validation assets, test artifacts, and comprehensive documentation.
• Ensure clear version control, traceability, and repeatability across all validation workflows.

What You’ll Bring

• B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a closely related technical field.
• 3–7+ years of hands-on experience in real-time system validation, embedded software testing, or SIL/HIL simulation.
• Proven ability to design automated test pipelines and verification metrics for real-time or embedded systems.
• Extensive experience with simulation tools such as Simulink or Modelica, and real-time simulators, including SIL, HIL, or comparable validation methodologies.
• Proficiency in industrial control and embedded languages, including C++, IEC 61131-3 Structured Text, SEL RTAC logic, CODESYS, Lua, Rust, or C.
• Experience with modern development practices, including robust version control systems and automated validation workflows.
• Familiarity with utility grid interconnection and market requirements, particularly within ERCOT.
• A highly collaborative work style and demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse cross-functional technical teams.
• Strong attention to detail and a steadfast mindset focused on safety, quality, and overall system reliability.

Total Rewards

At Intersect, we are committed to your well-being, professional growth, and work-life balance through a comprehensive total rewards package:

• Total Compensation: USD$185,000 - $195,000 (inclusive of base salary and bonus).
• Health & Wellness: 100% premium coverage for you and your dependents for medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Time to Recharge: Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO), complemented by two company-wide breaks (Fourth of July & end of year).
• Family Support: Up to 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave, with an additional 6 weeks for birth parents; access to family planning and care support via Carrot and Maven.
• Mental Health: Free access to Spring Health, including 5 complimentary therapy and psychiatry sessions, plus a Headspace account through Wellhub+.
• Perks & Extras: $150 monthly food stipend, $150 monthly reimbursement for cell phone and internet, pet insurance allowance, a full home office setup, free access to UrbanSitter with $625 in quarterly company-paid credits, ActiveHero, and One Medical membership.

Ready to apply your validation expertise to systems that power critical infrastructure at scale? Apply now and help ensure microgrid controls are tested, proven, and ready for real-world deployment.

Key skills/competency

• Microgrid Controls
• Validation Frameworks
• Simulation Environments
• Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL)
• Software-in-the-Loop (SIL)
• Automated Testing
• C++ & Embedded Languages
• Power Systems Engineering
• System Reliability
• Compliance & Standards