Principal Systems Engineer, Fuel Cell Systems

Core Duties And Responsibilities

• Serve as the system-level technical leader for development of advanced industrial energy platforms, driving integration across hardware, embedded software, and manufacturing teams.
• Lead end-to-end integration of fuel cell stack, hydrogen delivery, air management, cooling systems, power electronics, and controls into a scalable, production-ready industrial solution.
• Own overall system architecture, ensuring performance, safety, reliability, durability, and cost targets are achieved.
• Partner with cross-functional engineering teams to define operating strategies (start-up, shutdown, purge, freeze protection, load following) and optimize system performance across industrial duty cycles.
• Drive structured system-level problem-solving efforts (e.g., 8D, DMAIC) to resolve complex technical issues and improve field reliability and customer outcomes.
• Lead new product introductions (NPI) and major platform upgrades, ensuring alignment of scope, schedule, technical readiness levels (TRL), and risk mitigation strategies.
• Establish and manage key development milestones (Concept Freeze, Design Freeze, DV/PV, Pilot Build, Production Release) to ensure synchronized hardware and software maturity.
• Collaborate with validation teams to define and execute system-level DVP&R plans aligned to industrial duty cycles and customer use cases.
• Ensure compliance with applicable hydrogen and fuel cell standards (e.g., ISO, SAE, UL, NFPA) and support regulatory approvals and certification activities.
• Mentor engineering teams and represent system performance, risk posture, and trade-off analysis in executive and customer-facing technical reviews.
• Represent Plug Power in a professional manner at all times and in all interactions.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

  Education And Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical Engineering, or related technical field required; Master’s degree preferred.
  • 10+ years of experience in fuel cell systems, hydrogen systems, battery systems, or related electrochemical/industrial power system development.
  • Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional engineering programs through full industrial product development lifecycles from concept through production launch including New Product Introduction (NPI) in regulated industrial or energy markets.
  • Proven success managing complex hardware programs with integrated embedded software and controls in a matrix organization, balancing cost, schedule, risk, and technical performance.
  • Strong expertise in system integration, including controls architecture and balance-of-plant (BOP) components within industrial, automotive, heavy-duty, aerospace, or stationary platforms.
  • Experience operating within structured product development frameworks (e.g., Stage-Gate), with familiarity in Lean product development, Design for Six Sigma (DFSS), and/or formal program management methodologies (e.g., PMP, Agile for hardware).
  • Familiarity with hydrogen and fuel cell codes and standards, including SAE International, ISO, and NFPA 2, and experience supporting regulatory approvals and certification activities.
  • Excellent communication and organizational skills, with the ability to present complex technical trade-offs to engineering, operations, executive, and customer audiences.
  • Ability to travel up to 25%.

  Pay

  $114,000.00 - $185,250.00

  Benefits

  • Health, Dental & Vision Insurance eligibility starting from the first day of hire
  • 401(k) with 5% company match
  • Bonus eligibility
  • Paid time off including vacation, personal and sick time
  • Paid Holidays
  • Wellness Reimbursement Program
  • Potential to apply for Tuition Reimbursement
  • Employee Referral program
  • Employee Assistance Program