CMS Controls Engineer

The Container Management System (CMS) Controls Engineer reports to the Software Engineering Manager. This individual will be responsible for designing, developing, configuring, and programming ESS systems. Ownership of the controls logic is critical for this position. This includes working with internal and external stakeholders to understand and refine the implementation of the control and supervisory layers. It is essential that decisions be made to ensure safety, quality, reliability, and maintainability of such implementations. Additional duties including providing engineering expertise to the Service, Project Execution, and Hardware Engineering organizations. The role of the controls engineer will be to develop and maintain power/energy, thermal, and safety controls and metrics collection for systems. The role will include hot commissioning operations and at times follow projects until handoff to Service. This position involves the integration of battery strings, string inverters, and balance of plant equipment at the container level into the control logic of the large utility scale energy storage systems.

Essential duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Develop and implement IEC 61131-3 structured text control logic including thermal management and safety logic.

• Design and implement TCP/Modbus, RTU/Modbus, TCP/OPC-UA, and/or IEC61850 server/clients within the CMS logic to monitor hardware, apply power/thermal/safety algorithm logic, and provide metrics to the SCADA platform.

• Interpret and refine product and project requirements and design, engineer, and materialize them in the CMS platform.

• Develop and maintain design, solution, and component specifications that are part of the CMS platform.

• Contribute to Commissioning operations efforts including power dispatch, troubleshooting discrete HW issues, and coordinating with onsite commissioning personnel.

• Support in the resolution of installation, commissioning, and operational issues.

• Participate in EMS Rack and Network Junction Box config functional Checksheets during commissioning.

• Review/coordinate design and other technical information from OEM suppliers and contractors.

• Maintain knowledge of applicable codes, standards, certifications, and applications in the Energy Storage industry.

• Assist the Operations Team in controls related issues that arise.

• Work closely with Software Engineering on the interface to Container management software application.

Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Knowledge

o Protocol working knowledge in RTU/Modbus, TCP/modbus, OPC-UA, MQTT-SpB, P2P, SEL FMP, DNP3.0, and/or IEC61850 Goose Message (MMS).

o IEC 61131 PLC structured text (ST) programming language.

o String Controllers, Battery Pack Controllers, HVAC Controllers, Liquid Chiller Controllers, Digital IO modules, UPS controllers, and Gas sensors.

o Working understanding of battery systems, inverters, controllers/SCADA, transformers, and general power flow concepts.

o Digital Fault Recorders and PMU Channel streams with a Power System Dynamics understanding.

o Experience with ESS Container Management Systems, Battery Management Systems, and/or SCADA design/implementation including communication network architecture, protocols, and cyber security requirements for industrial control systems.

• Skills

o Proficient with plcNEXT (preferred), AcSELerator RTAC, or other IEC61131 IDEs.

o Proficient with Modbus and OPC-UA.

o Proficient with power system drawings and circuit fundamentals.

o Proficient in MS Office Excel, Windows RDP, Citrix, Azure Cloud.

o Basic / Foundational experience with SCADA HMI user experience.

o Basic / Foundational experience with Python 3+ scripting.

o Basic / Foundational experience with Layer 2 & 3 managed network switches, firewall policies and routing configuration, network subnets, VLAN Tagging, & Fiber network technology is a plus.

• Abilities

o Able to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid

conclusions. Able to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions, read and understand network, mechanical and electrical drawings.

o Communicate effectively with staff and management at all levels.

o Always maintain the highest degree of honesty and integrity.

o Lead proactive team efforts to achieve departmental and company goals.

o Ability to work under pressure and adapt to changing requirements with a positive attitude.

o Protect confidential information by not communicating, disclosing to, or using it for benefit of 3rd parties. Intellectual Property protection of the EMS Platform is of utmost importance.

o Comply with all EHS policies, practices and procedures reporting all unsafe activities to Management and/or Human Resources.

o Work in the global environment to maintain standards and latest practices.

o Ability to work closely with and influence cross-functional teams.

o Self-directed project management skills to lead initiatives to completion.

o Highly competitive, self-starter that can work both individually and in a group setting.

o Ability to work flexible hours and be independent in the field, travel is 30%

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or computer science with a minimum of Three (3) years of related experience in the field.

• Experience with implementing and deploying PLC controlling production environments is a must.

• Experience with inverter-based technology projects, especially involving Battery Energy Storage Systems or PV is considered an asset.

• Experience with reading and understanding project drawings, equipment installation, system start-up and commissioning procedures, and technical documents.