Senior Controls Engineer

About this role

Are you ready to be part of a company that's not just talking about the future, but actively shaping it? Join The AES Corporation, the largest US-based global power company with a team of 8,300 employees across 12 countries.     AES has been  ranked #1 by BloombergNEF  in renewable energy sales to corporations in the US and Americas for five consecutive years, providing electricity for  millions of people worldwide.      We are proud to foster a strong workplace culture, earning prominent positions in Great Place to Work™ rankings across the markets where we operate. AES was also named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the 13th consecutive year in 2026, highlighting our dedication to integrity, transparency, and responsible business practices.   Our spirit of innovation continues to earn industry recognition. AES is the only seven-time winner of the Edison Electric Institute’s Edison Awards in the twenty-first century, a distinction honoring global leadership in advancing the electric power industry.    If you're ready to be part of a company that's not just adapting to change, but driving it, AES is the place for you. We're not just building a more sustainable future ,  we're powering it. Apply now and energize your career with a true leader in global energy. 

Position Summary The Senior Controls Engineer will lead the design, testing, commissioning, and continuous improvement of plant-level control systems for utility-scale solar and battery energy storage projects.  

This role provides technical leadership for Power Plant Controller (PPC), Energy Management System (EMS), and supervisory control solutions that support safe, reliable, and compliant plant operations. The position partners closely with internal teams, OEMs, EPCs, and operations stakeholders to define control strategies, evaluate designs, and support successful project execution from design through commercial operation.  

The ideal candidate brings strong experience with renewable energy controls, technical problem solving, and cross-functional collaboration in a fast-paced project environment.  

We are open to considering U.S. remote-based candidates, preferably located in the Pacific (PST) time zone.

Key Responsibilities Control Strategy Development and Implementation  

• Design, develop, and   maintain   plant-level control logic for utility-scale solar PV and BESS facilities, including PPC, EMS, and supervisory control systems.  

• Develop control strategies for active power control (APC), reactive power control (RPC), frequency response, voltage regulation, ramp rate limiting, and state-of-charge (SOC) management for hybrid solar and storage facilities, ensuring performance under expected grid operating conditions.  

• Develop control logic in IEC-61131-3 environments such as   Codesys ,   AcSELerator , Beckhoff   TwinCAT , or equivalent platforms.  

• Review OEM and EPC-supplied control strategies and design documentation,   identify   gaps and risks, and provide recommendations that support successful commissioning and long-term operational performance.  

• Define and support control interfaces for inverter OEMs and BESS vendors, including protocols such as Modbus, DNP3, and IEC 61850.  

Controller Modeling and Validation  

• Develop and review dynamic controller models in PSS/E to support interconnection and   controls   validation activities.  

• Support EMT modeling and validation activities in PSCAD/EMTDC to   identify   and resolve control design issues before field implementation.  

• Support NERC MOD-026 and MOD-027 submissions and respond to ISO/RTO model review comments alongside the power systems team.  

Testing, Commissioning, and Issue Resolution  

• Develop structured test plans for new control features and product releases, with clear acceptance criteria and documented pass/fail expectations.  

• Support HIL testing environments (RTDS, OPAL-RT, or equivalent) for controller validation before hardware ever touches a real plant.  

• Lead or support factory and site acceptance testing (FAT/SAT), including setpoint verification, alarm and trip logic validation, and SCADA communications checkout, while escalating issues and driving resolution as needed.  

• Support root cause analysis and corrective action development for post-commercial-operation issues, ensuring lessons learned are incorporated into future designs and processes.  

Technical Standards and Documentation  

• Ensure control designs   comply with   applicable standards, including IEEE 1547, IEEE 2800, relevant NERC requirements, and project interconnection obligations.  

• Develop clear and complete documentation, including functional specifications, logic descriptions, I/O lists, test procedures, and commissioning reports that support consistency, maintainability, and knowledge transfer.  

• Stay current on evolving inverter-based resource grid code requirements and apply those insights to engineering standards and project delivery.  

Cross-Functional Collaboration and Technical Leadership  

• Partner with project development, engineering, and construction teams to support equipment selection, vendor evaluation, and early identification of   controls -related risks.  

• Collaborate with SCADA, commissioning, and operations teams to support reliable plant performance through startup and ongoing operations.  

• Provide   technical guidance to less-experienced engineers through knowledge sharing, design review, and coaching to support team capability and quality outcomes.  

Minimum Qualifications

Education   • Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering , Controls Engineering, or a closely related field   required .  

• Equivalent combinations of education and relevant experience may be considered   in accordance with   company policy and business needs.  

Experience  

• 5+ years of   controls   engineering experience, including work with utility-scale solar PV and/or BESS facilities.

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