Director of Power Systems Engineering - Microgrids

About the role

We are seeking a Director of Power Systems Engineering – Microgrids to lead as the senior technical authority for microgrid design within Nscale Energy and Power.

Responsibilities

• Microgrid Architecture & Basis of Design
• Own the power systems basis of design and technology selection across generation, energy storage, medium- and low-voltage distribution, protection, and controls.
• Define topology, redundancy, and sectionalizing strategy for a fully islanded microgrid serving hyperscale AI workloads with significant transient characteristics.
• Lead key studies for block sizing, BESS sizing and placement, grid interconnection strategy, and NERC CIP.
• Drive technical alignment between suppliers, EPCs, and owner's engineering teams.
• Protection and Controls
• Own the protection philosophy, coordination, and settings strategy across generator, energy storage, transformer, bus, and feeder zones.
• Lead the technical relationship with controls suppliers for systems from generator controls to microgrid-level controllers.
• Direct protection coordination, arc flash, and short-circuit studies.
• Define controls hierarchy, droop and load-sharing schemes, black-start sequencing, and transient response strategy for GPU load transients.
• Energy Storage and Load Smoothing
• Select the optimal energy storage/load smoothing solution for the application (BESS, UPS, capacitor integration, etc.).
• Own the technical interface with the energy storage system OEM.
• Drive dynamic performance studies for load smoothing, ramp-rate management, and contingency response.
• Define the dispatch and energy management strategy that balances reliability, heat rate, and operations/maintenance costs.
• Hardware-in-the-Loop & Commissioning Readiness
• Own the HIL testing program from system model development through integrated controller testing.
• Define commissioning test plans, acceptance criteria, and the path from HIL through factory acceptance, site acceptance, and integrated systems testing.
• Partner with the O&M organization on operating procedures, switching orders, and operator training derived from the validated model.
• Lead technical resolution of issues uncovered in commissioning and early operations.
• Leadership & Customer Engagement
• Serve as the senior power systems technical voice with hyperscale customers, providing technical assurance on availability, resilience, and architecture.
• Represent Nscale in technical reviews with regulators and utilities where applicable.
• Build and lead a high-performing team of power systems engineers, including hiring, mentoring, performance management, and career development.
• Partner cross-functionally with Mechanical Engineering, Construction, Commissioning, Operations, Procurement, and Permitting.
• Capture lessons learned from commissioning and early operations to improve power systems design, protection settings, and controls strategy across the portfolio.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related discipline.
• 15+ years of experience in power systems engineering, with deep expertise in generation, protection and controls, and dynamic power system performance.
• PE license (Electrical) preferred.
• Demonstrated experience with behind-the-meter or islanded power generation systems.
• Deep experience with modeling tools such as ETAP, PSSE, PSCAD, EMTP-RV, RSCAD/RTDS, and/or OPAL-RT.
• Hands-on experience implementing HIL testing programs.
• Working knowledge of IEEE 1547, IEEE C37 protection series, IEEE 2030.7/2030.8 microgrid standards, and NERC CIP.
• Demonstrated ability to manage the technical execution of third-party design firms and suppliers.
• Willingness to travel and support project sites (e.g., Mason County, West Virginia), Nscale offices (e.g., Houston, Texas), and supplier offices.

Qualifications

Equal Opportunities Statement

At Nscale, we are committed to fostering an inclusive, diverse, and equitable workplace. We believe that a variety of perspectives enriches our work environment, and we encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, experiences, and abilities. If there's anything we can do to accommodate your specific situation, please let us know.

Benefits

Competitive base salary with annual reviews
Potential for performance bonus and long-term incentive
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
401(k) retirement plan with company match
Generous PTO plus US federal holidays
A career-defining opportunity to be an early member of one of the fastest-growing AI infrastructure companies in the world
A human-first approach: We treat you as humans first. Our flexible workplace trusts Nscalers to deliver, giving you the autonomy needed to get the job done.
The chance to push boundaries on cutting-edge AI infrastructure — these data centers aren't just storage for your spam emails, they're changing the industry, and the world, as we've known it.

Pay

$200,000 - $285,000 USD

Schedule

Nscale may offer a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, flexible paid time off, parental leave, and retirement plan participation.