Power Systems Modeling & Integration Engineer
Heron Power Electronics Company - Scotts Valley
Work at Heron Power Electronics Company
Overview
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Overview
Heron Power is a startup company building cutting-edge power electronics for the 21st-century grid. We aim to debottleneck the growth of electricity generation 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
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
- 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.