[Hiring] Engineer, Power Electronics & Microgrid @TAR

Role Description

TAR builds fully islanded, behind-the-meter microgrids (solar, BESS, and gas peakers) powering AI data centers in West Texas at record speed. As Engineer, Power Electronics & Microgrid, you are the hands-on owner of how the power electronics actually behave in an islanded, inverter-dominant system.

• Translate architecture into single-lines.
• Interrogate the grid-forming PCS and BESS down to the control level.
• Validate that the integrated plant holds frequency and voltage on its own with no utility behind it.
• Drive the day-to-day electrical engineering under the Director of Power Systems Engineering.

One note on scope: today we integrate utility-scale OEM equipment rather than design power converters at the silicon level. We need someone who understands converter internals well enough to push OEMs hard on grid-forming behavior, ride-through, and protection, not someone who wants to lay out gate drivers.

Responsibilities

• Create and maintain electrical single-line and three-line diagrams, wiring schedules, and system schematics for islanded BTM microgrids.
• Own the power electronics integration: specify, evaluate, and validate grid-forming inverters and BESS PCS.
• Model and verify GFM control behavior, fault response, ride-through, and inverter-to-inverter interactions in an IBR-dominant plant with limited fault current.
• Run and review islanded power-system studies: load flow, short-circuit, protection coordination, grounding, and transient/load-step stability for a continuous high-density IT load.
• Size conductors, OCPD, disconnects, and switchgear across MV/LV and DC collection in compliance with NEC, UL 1741-SB, UL 9540/9540A, and NFPA 855.
• Coordinate with the Engineer of Record: produce the technical inputs and basis-of-design that feed their stamped package, and pressure-test their deliverables.
• Drive OEM technical engagement on PCS, BESS, and controls. Track FEOC-clean equipment options where ITC eligibility is at stake.
• Support permitting, interconnection, and the OE/IE with the electrical analysis they require.
• Write commissioning and validation test plans. Support bring-up, acceptance testing, and field troubleshooting at the pilot and beyond.

Qualifications

• BSEE, power systems, or related STEM discipline.
• 3+ years in utility-scale solar, BESS, or power electronics, with hands-on ownership of SLDs and power-conversion integration.
• Proficiency in electrical CAD (AutoCAD Electrical, SKM, ETAP, or similar) for one-line and study work.
• Working knowledge of grid-forming vs. grid-following inverter architecture and BESS PCS behavior.
• Able to read control specs critically, not just datasheets.
• Strong NEC, UL, and NFPA 855 knowledge for PV, DC coupling, and energy storage integration.
• Experience with islanding controls, microgrid EMS, inverter/PCS integration.
• Comfort modeling islanded systems, transient load response, and short-circuit/coordination studies.
• Extreme attention to detail with a bias for speed and rapid iteration.

Preferred

• MSEE with a power electronics or microgrid focus.
• Direct islanded, off-grid, or BTM microgrid experience.
• Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) validation of inverter and BESS controls.
• High-growth startup or aerospace/automotive test-like-you-fly culture.
• Experience from Tesla Energy, Fluence, Array, Nextracker, or comparable.

Salary and Benefits

• Total compensation: $280-470K/year.
• Base salary: $165-225K.
• Milestone bonus: 10-20% of base.
• Equity: $100-200K/year at TAR's most recent valuation.
• Up to $15K relocation bonus.
• Unlimited PTO.
• Health, Dental, Vision insurance.
• $1K monthly stipend for meals.