Software Engineer, Microgrid Controls Validation Engineer

About Intersect

We’re a a team united by a mission to preserve our planet for future generations through innovative energy solutions and modern infrastructure. In December 2025, Google announced an agreement to acquire Intersect, aimed at enabling faster data center and generation capacity growth while accelerating energy development and innovation. Post-acquisition, we will continue our core mission: developing, constructing, and operating the nation's most ambitious power and data infrastructure under the Intersect brand, separate from Alphabet and Google. We are aggressively growing and seek individuals passionate about tackling the planet's largest energy challenges.

Location & Team Gatherings

Intersect has embraced a fully flexible workplace model since its inception in 2016, offering work-from-home, hybrid, and in-office options. We prioritize deepening social connections and shared experiences, gathering for Team Week four times a year and at our Hub locations in the SF Bay Area, NYC Metro Area, NY; Denver, CO; Houston, TX; Calgary, AB; and Toronto, ON.

We are currently looking for candidates located within 60 miles of any of these listed hubs to foster stronger in-person connections while maintaining our flexible remote culture.

About This Role: Software Engineer, Microgrid Controls Validation Engineer

As a Software Engineer, Microgrid Controls Validation Engineer within Intersect’s Microgrid Engineering team, you will define and implement the validation framework crucial for ensuring microgrid control software operates safely and reliably prior to field deployment. Your primary focus will be on developing simulation environments, validation tools, and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing to thoroughly verify controls code across diverse real-world operating conditions. Collaborating closely with controls engineers, power systems engineers, utilities, and external partners, you will play a vital role in guaranteeing that microgrid systems meet stringent performance, compliance, and reliability expectations at scale.

Team Overview

This team is central to Intersect’s mission, driving the clean energy transition by designing and operating systems that deliver reliable power on a massive scale. The Microgrid Engineering team integrates software, hardware, operations, and external stakeholder insights to validate complex systems under realistic conditions, ensuring safety, performance, and long-term operability. Joining this team provides hands-on exposure to advanced validation techniques and large-scale energy systems, contributing to work with significant real-world impact.

What You’ll Do

• Build and Maintain Validation Frameworks: Develop software validation tools and simulation frameworks to rigorously test control algorithms across all operating conditions, including failure modes, communication delays, and equipment faults. Define requirements and methodologies for utilizing real-time simulators for Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing.
• Automate Testing and Reporting: Implement automated test execution to establish reproducible validation workflows and reporting tools. Design comprehensive verification metrics to demonstrate control performance, safety, and compliance.
• Define Test Cases and Performance Criteria: Partner with engineering teams, utilities, and external stakeholders to establish precise test cases and performance requirements. Validate both steady-state behavior and abnormal operating scenarios.
• Integrate Field Learnings into Validation: Support the analysis of field operating data to refine simulation models and identify edge cases. Incorporate field learnings back into regression test suites for continuous improvement of validation coverage.
• Maintain Validation Assets and Traceability: Manage a structured repository of validation assets, test artifacts, and comprehensive documentation. Ensure robust 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 related field.
• 3–7+ years of 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.
• Hands-on experience with simulation tools like Simulink or Modelica and real-time simulators, including SIL, HIL, or comparable validation methods.
• Proficiency in industrial control and embedded languages such as C++, IEC 61131-3 Structured Text, SEL RTAC logic, CODESYS, Lua, Rust, or C.
• Experience with modern development practices, including version control and automated validation workflows.
• Familiarity with utility grid interconnection and market requirements, particularly within ERCOT.
• A collaborative work style and proven ability to work effectively with cross-functional technical teams.
• Strong attention to detail, with a steadfast focus on safety, quality, and system reliability.

Total Rewards

At Intersect, we are committed to your well-being, growth, and work-life balance through comprehensive support:

• Total Compensation: USD$185,000 - $195,000 (inclusive of base salary + bonus)
• Health & Wellness: 100% premium coverage for you and your dependents for medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• Time to Recharge: Enjoy unlimited 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: Complimentary access to Spring Health, including 5 free therapy and psychiatry sessions, plus a Headspace account for mindfulness through our Wellhub+ physical health vendor.
• 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.

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

• Real-time System Validation
• Embedded Software Testing
• Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL)
• Software-in-the-Loop (SIL)
• Automated Testing
• Microgrid Controls
• Simulink / Modelica
• C++ / Embedded C
• IEC 61131-3
• Version Control