Power Electronics Controls Engineer, Energy Storage
About Redwood Materials
Redwood is localizing a global battery supply chain that seamlessly integrates recovery, reuse, and recycling — keeping critical minerals in circulation and driving the energy transition. Founded in 2017, we’re delivering low-cost and large-scale energy storage and producing battery materials in the U.S. for the first time, all from batteries we already have.
The Redwood Vision: Modernizing the Grid
Imagine being at the epicenter of the next great industrial shift. Just as the electric vehicle revolution redefined the car as a software-defined machine, Redwood Materials is redefining the global energy grid. We aren’t just managing batteries; we are building the "nervous system" for a circular energy economy.
Our San Francisco R&D team is architecting the transition from static, hardware-heavy infrastructure to dynamic, software-controlled ecosystems. We are proving that a sustainable, 100% renewable grid isn't just a goal—it’s a technical reality powered by superior control intelligence. We are looking for the "architects of the electron" to help us make fossil-fuel peaker plants a thing of the past.
Essential Duties:
As a Staff Power Electronics Controls Engineer, you will lead the design and implementation of the intelligent "brains" for our next-generation Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and mixed-asset energy sites. You will be responsible for the entire journey of our control systems—from white-space conceptualization and advanced modeling to real-world grid impact. Your work will ensure that recycled and new battery assets work in perfect harmony to stabilize the grid and optimize high-power conversion at an industrial scale.
Responsibilities include:
- Software-Defined Power: Design and optimize advanced control algorithms for high-power BESS, focusing on grid-forming, grid-following, and complex multi-asset energy site synchronization
- High-Power Conversion Architecture: Develop bidirectional DC/DC and AC/DC control schemes for industrial-scale storage, ensuring peak efficiency, thermal stability, and safety across all operating modes
- Digital Twin Development: Build high-fidelity "Digital Twins" of power stages and grid environments using PLECS and MATLAB/Simulink to predict system behavior under extreme transient and fault conditions
- Virtual & Hardware Validation: Architect and lead comprehensive Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing environments (Opal-RT/Typhoon) to rigorously stress-test control firmware before deployment
- Circular Asset Integration: Collaborate with battery and systems teams to implement control strategies that optimize the performance and longevity of mixed-asset arrays, including the integration of recycled battery chemistries
- Cross-Functional Leadership: Partner closely with electrical, firmware, and thermal engineers to define the long-term roadmap for modern, resilient energy storage site controllers
Desired Qualifications:
- Educational Depth: MSc or PhD in Electrical Engineering with a specialization in Power Electronics Control Systems. (MSc requires 3+ years of relevant industry experience; PhD preferred)
- Topology Mastery: Deep theoretical and practical mastery of high-efficiency power conversion. You are an expert in resonant topologies (LLC, CLLC, DAB) and advanced multi-level architectures, specifically Flying Capacitor (FC) and Active Neutral Point Clamped (ANPC)
- Control Theory Expertise: Proven ability to design robust closed-loop controllers (Bode, Nyquist, State-Space) and implement them effectively on digital signal processors (DSPs) or microcontrollers
- Modern Toolchain:
- Expert-level MATLAB/Simulink and PLECS for modeling and simulation.
- Strong proficiency in C for real-time embedded systems.
- Experience with Python for automation, scripting, and data analysis.
- Proactive Innovation: A self-driven attitude with the ability to navigate the ambiguity of a fast-paced R&D environment. You enjoy building the framework as much as you enjoy writing the code
- Grid Standards: Familiarity with grid-interconnection codes (e.g., IEEE 1547, UL 1741) and their implications for controls development is highly desirable
Physical Requirements:
- Ability to perform the essential job functions consistent safely and successfully with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards, including meeting qualitative and/or quantitative productivity standards
- Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state, and local standards
Working Conditions:
- Environment, such as office or outdoors
- Ability to work in challenging working conditions which may include exposure to noise, dust, chemicals, and temperature extremes, while protected by PPE, for extended periods of time
- Essential physical requirements, such as climbing, standing, stooping, or typing
- Occasional work weekends, nights, or be on-call as a regular part of the job
- Occasional travel requirements
In accordance with California pay transparency laws, the salary range for this position is listed below. Actual compensation may vary based on a variety of factors, including experience, education, and skills.
California Pay Range:
$153,000 - $248,500 USD
The position is full-time. Compensation will be commensurate with experience.
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