Power Systems Modeling & Integration Engineer
What to Expect
Heron Power is a startup company building cutting-edge power electronics for the 21st-century grid. We aim to debottleneck the growth of electricity and consumption with scalable, innovative, and less costly hardware solutions, accelerating the electrification of everything.
Our first goal is to build better converters (inverters & rectifiers) to connect large-scale renewables, storage, and loads to the grid. Heron's leadership team is made up of seasoned veterans who have designed and shipped gigawatts of power conversion products over the past decade.
We understand that no one individual knows everything. We will all learn a lot together and from each other. We strive to build a collaborative, enriching environment conducive to personal, technical, and career growth. You can expect to work in a dynamic and collaborative environment, driven by first principles engineering, solving difficult problems.
Job Overview
As a system modeling and integration engineer, you will be responsible for developing and validating dynamic behavioral models of various power system components. This includes development and maintenance of official dynamic models for grid interconnection studies, as well as hardware-in-the-loop (HiL) systems used for system integration activities. You will also be responsible for integration of controls and software systems and validating their behaviors.
How You Will Contribute
Evaluate system-level requirements and translate to dynamic performance and controls specs
Represent Heron Power at industry events, advocate for grid-forming and grid-healing functionality, and highlight the merits of standardized open-source interoperable software
Study and analyze compliance requirements for grid-codes (IEEE2800, UL1741) and protection schemes (arc-fault, ground-fault, etc.)
Review electrical schematics and suggest changes to ensure signal acquisition and the plant are well-designed to handle transients and edge-cases
Specify control functions required to improve the security and stability of the power system. Produce concise documentation of the behaviors, configuration, and component API required for proper operation
Build and maintain reference models for various system components such as power converters, site controls, and balance-of-system components
Perform failure-mode & effects analysis (FMEA) to discover design weaknesses and devise mitigation strategies
Create and execute dynamic stress-test plans
Build and maintain hardware-in-the-loop (HiL) setups to be used for integration, validation, and factory-acceptance testing of controls
Automate system validation and creation of test-reports for efficient data reviews
Maintain RMS (PSS/E, PSLF) and EMT models (PSCAD, Powerfactory) required for grid-interconnection studies
Create and maintain application notes & controls/software commissioning procedures
Review and analyze fleet data, and devise performance improvement and failure mitigation strategies
As a startup, we expect individuals to engage and overlap with teams with adjacent skill-sets. Expect to overlap both Power Electronics Controls and Embedded Software Engineers.
What You Will Bring
We have a short list of must-have requirements. We prioritize a strong grip on first principles, hands-on skills, and a sense of initiative. Domain-specific knowledge and experience will help determine the career level for each hire.
Must-Have Requirements
Strong electrical power systems fundamentals
Familiarity with simple inverter topologies and controls
Understanding of dynamic models and control systems
Ability to write and troubleshoot C-code
Hands-on systems integration & troubleshooting experience
Nice-to-Haves
Experience with design and controls of grid-tied inverter systems
Familiarity with grid-forming controls
Familiarity with grid-code requirements such as IEEE1547, IEEE2800, UL1741, or equivalent
Familiarity with power system modeling, operation, and common protection techniques
Experience in a continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) environment
Experience with PV conversion systems including maximum power point tracking (MPPT) and arc-fault detection
Power plant commissioning experience with batteries, microgrids, and/or utility-scale solar
Familiarity with SCADA systems, plant controls, and HMIs
If you are passionate about technology and enjoy working in a fast-paced environment, we would love to hear from you. Join us in accelerating the electrification of everything at Heron Power.
Heron Power provides competitive compensation (salary and equity) and benefits. The salary for this role ranges from $95,000 to $200,000 per year.