Senior Grid Modeling Engineer, Large Scale Grid Integration

Primary Duties / Responsibilities

• Serve as a subject-matter expert in the modeling and analysis of utility-scale solar, storage, and hybrid power plants, supporting the U.S. Application Engineering team across multiple SMA America projects and applications.
• Interpret ISO/TSO interconnection requirements (e.g., ERCOT, MISO, CAISO, ISO-NE, NYISO, PJM, SPP) and recommend appropriate SMA control configurations and parameter tuning, delivering customized models aligned with project-specific scopes.
• Maintain and manage versions of SMA's model portfolio across PSS/E, PSCAD/EMTDC, TSAT, and other simulation platforms used in the North American market.
• Provide technical support to the U.S. Application Engineering team by troubleshooting model functionality and executing simulation studies to validate dynamic model behavior against design specifications.
• Analyze inverter control modes and plant-level control strategies -- including their interactions in solar, storage, and hybrid system configurations -- and support model validation testing, benchmarking activities, and interconnection study workflows.
• Prepare comprehensive modeling study reports, technical documentation, and project deliverables that clearly communicate simulation findings and recommendations for IBR integration projects.
• Evaluate the impact of inverter-based resources on power system stability and propose technically sound mitigation strategies using SMA's technology portfolio.
• Act as a liaison between the U.S. Application Engineering team and SMA's Global Competence Center, ensuring effective communication and alignment on modeling-related tasks.
• Collaborate with SMA's modeling team in Germany by providing feedback on model performance, identifying potential issues, recommending new functionality, and communicating emerging modeling requirements and trends in North America.
• Participate in industry working groups and technical discussions related to modeling standards and grid-code requirements in North America (e.g., NERC, ESIG, ISOs, TSOs, utilities), representing and supporting the advancement of SMA technologies.
• Develop and deliver internal and external training materials on modeling tools, methodologies, and SMA model capabilities, supporting customer engagements, workshops, and technical presentations.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with sales, product management, engineering, and service teams to ensure alignment on technical requirements and modeling-related initiatives.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a closely related discipline from an accredited institution is required. A master's degree is preferred; a doctoral degree is highly advantageous.
• Minimum 5--7 years of professional experience in the utility-scale renewable energy sector, specifically involving photovoltaic and energy storage systems.
• At least 5 years of hands-on experience developing and analyzing dynamic and steady-state models of inverter-based resources using PSS/E, TSAT, and PSCAD/EMTDC.
• Experience performing power system analyses including SMIB generation modeling, power flow, transient stability, electromagnetic transient, and short-circuit analyses is highly desirable.
• Experience with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) platforms such as RTDS/GTSOC, OPAL-RT, or Typhoon HIL is a strong plus.
• Experience with TSAT modeling tools, particularly in ERCOT and MISO jurisdictions, is a strong plus.
• Familiarity with Python, ASPEN OneLiner, MATLAB, or similar analytical tools is advantageous.
• Demonstrated knowledge of utility-scale PV and BESS plant design, including single-line diagrams, control strategies, and integration considerations.
• Comprehensive understanding of power electronic converters, medium-voltage transformers, MV switchgear, and protection system design.
• Strong familiarity with grid-forming inverter technology and advanced battery storage control solutions is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with NERC reliability standards, IEEE technical standards, and grid-code requirements across major North American system operators is advantageous.
• Proven ability to collaborate cross-functionally and work effectively in a fast-paced environment managing multiple concurrent projects.
• Willingness to travel internationally on an occasional basis, including visits to SMA headquarters in Kassel, Germany.
• Proficiency in English, with strong written and verbal communication skills, is required.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook) is required.